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Mermaid's
Scuba Diving Internship program Frequently Asked Questions - Page 2
Your scuba diving internship questions answered here...
| Q.
What is the cost of living in Pattaya, Thailand?
AND how do I get money?
A.
Pattaya can be very reasonable or very expensive depending on what you are
doing. The everyday prices for food and beer etc is very in-expensive
indeed. An
average (but tasty) western meal will cost approximately $4US+ (120 Thai
baht). If you
like Thai food then you'll save even more money - a good dish of Thai
food can be $1+ (30 Thai baht). Beer is extremely cheap also, priced
at $1US ++ (35 Thai baht) depending on what and where you are drinking -
this is what I mean by "Pattaya can be very reasonably priced or expensive". If
you are in the expensive (but not necessarily better) pubs, clubs and
restaurants every night then money can slip through the fingers. If you
enjoy a beer, a good feed and good company each day in a moderately
priced place then bank on $10US per day.
Check the "cost
of living page" - especially for those day to day expenses.
A budget for spending money can be
15,000 baht ++ per month (approx $500US+).Bear in mind that you get fed very well on the boat each day
also. Wait until you taste the food...it's seriously good! With $500 you
can stay here and dive a lot and relax have a good social life. If you
are a partier then you would require more of a budget.
CAN I use ATM's or other banking services in
Pattaya?
Funds can be easily accessible in Thailand as long
as you are prepared. Travelers cheques (Checks) can be good as they are
secure and tend to achieve good rates of exchange - certainly better
than cash.
If you wish to use your bank ATM card to
withdraw money from your home bank this is possible. Please
ensure that your local bank in the west is informed that you will be
withdrawing in Thailand. In the past we have seen a few cards stopped
due to the banks thinking that fraudulent withdrawals were being made.
If you inform your local bank of your travels then this problem can be
avoided.
Generally the ATM's are Cirrus, VISA and MasterCard.
If your card does not have one of these symbols then do not despair as
you can still withdraw money form a "money changer". A
"money changer" is a banking service where you can take money
from your cash card by signing for it. You will need your passport and
your card. With these two things you will be able to withdraw up to $500
daily (generally).
Opening a bank account:
For those dive students on a student visa opening
a bank account here in Pattaya has not been an issue. As long as student
visa is held, we can assist with an address to gain your bank account.
This will allow you to transfer funds across and not pay daily ATM
charges etc.
|
| Q.
What else is there to do in Pattaya during my time off?
A. Now you've got me, where do I
start? Pattaya hosts so much entertainment in one concentrated area that
it is amazing. If you like sports and recreations then there is
everything from Jet Ski-ing, Go-Karting, Football, Tennis, Table Tennis,
Hash Running, parasailing, windsurfing, beach volleyball and Squash to
mountain biking, climbing, scuba diving:-), paint balling, mono ski-ing,
gymnasiums, swimming, massage, flying, exploring, paragliding, Off-roading
(motorbike and 4x4), Badminton, Rugby, bowling, serious drinking:-),
darts, snooker and pool leagues and cinemas - sorry there's more but my
fingers hurt. Pattaya can cater for all tastes of recreation and sports.
All of the interning pupils find additional sports and recreations to be
involved in.
Over and above the day time activities Pattaya
boasts a hive of activity of an evening. There are so many restaurants
in town that you can eat at a different one every night for a year. The
many clubs, pubs, bars and discos all have their own special attractions
providing something for everyone.
There really is not a more fun place to be whilst
learning something that you love. Our fantastic team have invented many
a way to have great fun here - check
out a few pictures.
Some of the guys and gals join me on a
"Friends Trip" diving holiday to the Similan Islands (Phuket
Thailand) from time to time - check
out A Friends Trip (there are many of them documented).
AND of course we
give you a "special" introduction to Pattaya on your
arrival!!!
|
| Q. What about
Insurance, hospital
facilities and the local recompression chamber?
A. For insurance I would
suggest an international medical package through BUPA (Bupa.com)
or any other reputable company. I know of many people that opt just for
the travel insurance that gives you minimal accident insurance but that's
their choice. Another good resource that I came across is Activesure.co.uk
- they seem pretty good and all round. As for diving insurance I would wait until you come here in
order not to waste any of your policy time and also you'll have a better
idea of what policy is best for you. Please note that insurance is not
mandatory in Thailand as it is in many other countries. Dive insurance can
be checked out at Horsell.com
- this is PADI's official insurance broker but other diving insurance can
be sought at Diversalertnetwork.org - or DAN for short. Many people find the DAN plans more
comprehensive - please note that diving insurance is NOT expensive. Try
the South East Asia-Pacific site - Danseap.org -
a couple of other dive travel and dive equipment and general travel insurance companies to check are
Dive-master.net
& Scubasure.com & Buddyindepth.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE: For insurance - if you are
looking at independent dive insurance or personal accident insurance
coverage then the company will more than likely ask you how many dives you
will be making below 30 meters. You might make a couple of dives
below this depth for training but the majority (99%) of your diving will
be 30 meters or less.
Recently I came across Dogtag.co.uk which seem to have excellent travel insurance coverage with Scuba
insurance all in one. Very reasonable rates also. For UK citizens so I
believe...
Pattaya's hospital facilities are superb. The
Bangkok Pattaya hospital is probably the most advanced around in general.
You'd be amazed at the care here and the cleanliness of the facilities.
Every time I have ever been for a scrape or knock etc the treatment has
never been anything but superb. Many (most) of the doctors and nurses have had
western education. Check out http://www.bph.co.th
to see the level.
The nearest facilities (re-compression chamber) are in
Pattaya. This is a single chamber. Sattahip naval base which is 45 minutes from
Pattaya by road has extensive facilities. During the
Divemaster internship - interns are given an assignment to plan and ensure
the fastest and safest emergency plan for recompression / decompression
sickness. We have this plan
and all necessary telephone and response numbers etc but it's the Dive masters
job to clarify all data
etc and add to it. Helicopter assistance can take 15 minutes to the
re-compression chamber. Bare in mind that we run these courses daily -
we've an awful lot of experience in "dummy runs" to the chamber - believe
me we know the drills inside out and upside down. Mermaids
makes visits to the Re-compression chamber in Sattahip on a regular basis.
We like you to have a full understanding of as much as possible. Check one
of our chambers
trips here. 2007 will see the launch of Mermaids Decompression Chamber
Operator Courses. |
Scuba
Dive Training Internship Checklist - Things to ask your dive
training school (Important)
| Q.
Is the qualification recognized world wide or only in
Asia? - Can I get a scuba job in many countries?
A. All of the courses
that we run are recognized world wide. As a divemaster or (OWSI) Open
Water Scuba Instructor you are internationally licensed to teach scuba
where ever there are diving facilities. You will be affiliated to PADI whom are the largest recreational diving organization in the world with in
excess of 70% of the recreational scuba market share. PADI (Professional Association of Dive
Instructors) is seen to be the market leader and with your professional
dive qualifications you'll be able to work and dive in the majority of the top
diving destinations in the world. There are sites out there that assist
with scuba dive job placements as any norm employment agency would assist. Great
sites such as Dive4jobs.com and Diversjobs.com - allow you to post your dive resume and search listings. Once a PADI
professional you will have access to the professional area on the PADI web site also which is a superb resource for dive jobs and careers.
Diversjobs.com have an exclusive partnership with
Mermaids Professional Divers. Diver employment has never been so readily
available until October 2006. Divers-jobs offer Mermaids divers an
exclusive suite of scuba diving work offers and dive employment
internationally.
|
| Q.
Are the internships set in stone?
A. NO. The dive internships do
have a certain structure to them as is set out on their individual pages
but we like to think that we're flexible to peoples' dive training needs and
requirements. For example the length of the internship course can be
changed, specialty courses can be exchanged for others that might hold
more appeal to you, upgrades on dive equipment or accommodation can be
arranged if you wish and we can even reduce the amount of course content
for those that wish for the bare bones. The best thing to do as always is contact
me for a full break down of the courses and an assessment of your
specific needs. We are extremely affable and flexible.
Tailor your own course - choose all diver courses
that you feel will suit your diving needs and Mermaids can make a tailored
package for you.
|
Scuba
Dive Training Internship Checklist - Things to ask your dive
training school (Important)
| Q.
I have a laptop / palm top and would like to use email - is there access -
can I stay in touch with friends and family?
A. There are internet cafes on literally
every corner that you can use for between $1.5 - $3 per hour - hence very
in-expensive indeed.
If you wish to use the internet at the shop then we
have a FREE terminal that all of the dive interns are welcome to
use at any time of the day - this is always connected.
 If you are coming with a Laptop or Palm top and it
has Wi-Fi - then Mermaids have a FREE ADSL Wi-Fi connection
that you can use at the shop. The range is superb and reaches as far as the open air
Thai restaurant out of the back of the dive center. It's great being able to
check email over a great lunch (and for FREE). For details of how
to connect your computer to our "in-house" Wi-Fi" Network
then please click here...
Many
of the diver accommodations can receive a service called "Pattaya
Wi-Fi". This is a relatively new service (mid 2007) and costs 1000
Thai baht (approx 15 UK pounds or $30) per month. The diver can simply pay
for this service directly to "Pattaya Wi-Fi". |
| Q.
Is
Thailand safe for AMERICANS?
A. YES. We have several members of dive staff
that are American. 40-50% of our interns and certainly the majority of my
friends and colleagues here. Thais have a collective term for westerners -
the word, "Farang". Farang basically translates to
westerner or foreigner - Thais DO NOT differentiate between nationalities.
You would NEVER hear a Thai saying, "The Englishman came in first followed
by the Swede and Dutch lady. The American came to the ball with the South
African man". Sorry to give such a bad example but really; this would
never happen - we are all the same here - all just westerners. Thailand is
very American friendly :-). |
Scuba
Dive Training Internship Checklist - Things to ask your dive
training school (Important)
|
Q.
Do you wish speak directly aout the internship programs?
A. If you would like to
speak on the phone with reghards to the diver training that we
offer here in Thailand - this can be arranged. Simply contact me
with a land line telephone number and best time to call you. Be
sure to offer your country code as well as your area code. Within
48 hours of your mailing I shall be on the telephone calling you.
|
| Q. HOW
CAN WE OFFER such great VALUE for money and DEALS and still make a profit?
A. We must be cutting
some training out right?....WRONG!!! Our diver training is as
comprehensive if not more so than most companies in the dive industry due to
the fact that we are specifically set up for long term internship
programs. To the very finest detail we have the complete length of the
program planned out from accommodation and student personal effects and
equipment lockers to mentor induction programs and set study days (open
lectures) for certain study groups. We have been in business for a very
long time and are a PADI CDC (Career Development Center) -
the only one in Pattaya/Jomtien. The CDC achievement is NOT given away by PADI easily and hence we can benefit
from the very lowest in costs of materials from PADI - this low
price we pass on. Due to thriving business and long standing contacts we
benefit also from great equipment purchases and prices from our
suppliers. Thailand is very in-expensive anyway - but with the accommodation
deal that we have it costs very little in housing (see
it here). Our chef cooks great meals daily but again Thailand is
very in-expensive for food and hence we keep costs low here. Oil for
running the boats in Thailand is very cheap. We have our own pool for
training and hence do not have to rent this. Overall - Mermaids are not greedy!!! Scuba training can be expensive but we like
to give as much value as possible. We like to offer FREE specialty
courses. These are normally quite expensive and would cost the intern a
lot of money but they cost us VERY LITTLE to run - so we like to give them
as bonuses. - Why not? It is only fair...
We have earned a superb reputation within the dive
community for producing first class dive instructors through our diving
traineeships. This is due to the fact that we do not simply give the
necessary courses and training to pass the exams and gain the dive professional
qualifications. We want you to be the very best at that level and put 150%
effort into your training and success. This dedication to your dive
education has been noticed by many and is top priority within our mission
to train. We do not simply produce dive instructors but "highly
employable, first class dive professionals". As a highly regarded
dive professional you'll easily be able to secure scuba diving employment.
|
| Q.
How much is reasonable to pay for a flight? Which AIRPORT and how do
I get to the dive center?
A. Flights to Thailand
are surprisingly cheap for the distance...and this is good to leave you
concentrating more on your scuba dive education. Please do check the
internet for some great deals. If traveling from the UK - then check out
companies like http://www.ebookers.com
or www.lastminute.com
- I find these type of companies to be very good indeed. Generally flights by
companies such as Emirates and Gulf Air tend to be the cheapest with not
bad service. A flight from the UK should really be below £550 - this cost will
vary up and down depending on the time of year and also if you are wishing
to have an open ended ticket for a long length of time. Please do check
out this URL but also contact me
if you require assistance searching for a good air flight price if from
the UK or any other country - I am only too happy to assist.
When booking a flight you will need to fly to Bangkok
International Airport - this is "Suvarnabhumi
Airport" (Bangkokairportonline.com). This is a new airport that h opened in late 2006 to
celebrate the King's 60th accession to the throne. Once you have
your flight booked all we need to know are your details and then we can arrange
for a driver to collect you. It does not matter what time of the
day or night you land. If you land in the morning then we shall have the
driver bring you to the dive training facilities where we shall meet you
and then take you to your apartment. If you fly in at night then we
shall have the accommodation waiting for you and arrange to meet you at
the dive center the following day after you have had a good nights rest. The
apartments have 24/7 staff that have your key and will be waiting for you
with a smile and will get you settled nicely.
|
| Q.
Is the dive traineeship deposit refundable?
A. The deposit for the internships and trainee
programs will
not be refunded under any circumstances. We are aware that your plans may
change so our policy is to be 100% flexible on course starting
dates. We have had candidates postpone for as long as 1 year due to
circumstance changes - this is no problem. In the event of a major emergency
we will also give you the option to credit your payment to
an interested friend or relative - (you never lose your deposit, it
can be credited for dive courses, pleasure diving or trips to anyone that
you know). We are
a serious training facility that prepares to receive you in the highest
manner with the accommodation being booked, instructors having scheduled
your courses and your materials in stock. We commit to your education 100%
and will deliver. We accept you as a student as soon as the deposit is
laid, as this shows a commitment to us, giving you 100% full support for your lead up to your adventure/
career change/ dive job etc...like any training facility or university in
the world - the deposits and full course payments are non-refundable but join us and you'll reap
the benefits... ...It's
best to be totally frank and honest about this. We all know where we
stand. Contact
me if you wish any further details on the policy or program alike. |
| Q.
Can I work for the courses to have them FREE?
A. No. We offer a unique dive training
package but NO working for dive courses. We don't do this for a
couple of very good reasons. Firstly and most importantly, it is completely
illegal to work for courses or any form of payment in Thailand
unless a work permit is held. I know of NO shop that will pay up to $3000 for a
work permit to utilize resources to train someone - sorry to be harsh but
it's better to be clear and factual. Any shop that offers this is
operating an illegal practice (if not offering a work permit) and has an alternative
method to part you from
your hard earned money. Secondly (and actually, equally as important),
we have seen that where there are "work for courses", generally
the training of the "intern team member" is usually sub standard
as the "intern team member" always takes a back seat to
the paying diving customers, no matter what they promise you.
We charge for 1st class instruction producing
highly employable dive professionals but in an all inclusive package. Long
term this is beneficial as you are always treated as a customer and yet
get real experience. All accommodation etc is included.
We state ALL of our costs up front and the cost is FULLY INCLUSIVE - there
are no hidden costs. We offer very unique diver training with courses
that cannot be offered any where else in Asia
but are internationally recognized. We have built a strong reputation of
producing highly employable dive professionals, to the point where dive
operators contact us for staff - you will be trained to the highest
standard. The program is very simple - we offer a 1st class
and very reasonably priced service. We take your dive education very seriously
to make you employable and the service is chargeable. It's a very simple
and fair business transaction and one that I am sure that you'll enjoy as
a professional diver. When you are trained to instruct or work as a pro
diver - you'll soon learn that you do not pay your bills or put food on
your table by having someone carry tanks for you and you training them for
free in return.
WARNING: Training centers offering guaranteed
jobs for 10 - 20,000 baht per month are operating illegally. This is a
ploy to get custom but the divemaster jobs are not supported by work permits. If you
are caught this will leave you in prison awaiting a court case, a heavy
fine and then deportation from Thailand. We WILL ONLY assist to find dive
master jobs and diving instructor jobs within a company that needs staff (not just a trick to get you to
train with them) and hence they will look after you.
Please do check Thaivisa.com - as a westerner it is IMPOSSIBLE to hold a work permit with a job
on a salary of 10,000 or so baht per month.
|
| Q.
I only speak English - is this a problem?
A. Mermaids offers courses in the languages above
but in excess of 95% of our students are native English speakers. The majority
of our staff are native English speaking also. Having
more than one mainstream language will be an advantage as a dive
professional but is not essential. It can be the stipulation for a few
dive job postings but not the majority. Many divers including myself have
built successful dive careers but only speak 1 language. |
| Q.
I like to keep fit - is there a Gymnasium in Pattaya?
A. You are in for a very pleasant surprise.
Pattaya has many great gyms for use and all at very good prices indeed.
Pattaya and Jomtien both have Gyms for cardio and weight training. We have
an assortment of sports clubs with tennis, pools, squash, gyms, saunas,
steam rooms etc.
One of the most popular Gyms here in Pattaya is
Tony's Gym. This is an incredible complex not far from the Dive Center and
very inexpensive indeed. Trust me you shall not have to compromise on any
of your fitness training in Pattaya. |
Q.
I wish to study Thai. Is it difficult and also will I have time during the
dive program?
A. I have no reason to say that I did not learn
most of my Thai in shops and restaurants in the early days. Not saying that I
am:) but speaking with many different people from different parts of Thailand
and speaking literally the same stuff - can confirm or make unconfirmed what you
know/understand. This environment for learning should not be relied on as
correct - but a framework and certainly interesting into Thai society.
There comes a time where you really need to
learn to read and write. Certainly read. To read and actually spell allows you
to remember so much more vocabulary where many of the words sound (to us)
exactly the same. To spell is to be able to differentiate between the Thai
words. It's no longer in publish as the Bangkok Post Publishing company
(printing books) is no longer in operation. However if you can gain a copy of
" Essential Thai" by James Higbie
you'd really, and I mean REALLY be doing yourself a great favour in learning
Thai. The learning is progressive, easy and the transliterations superb and easy
to understand. As you progress you can use such tools as James Higbies' Grammar
Reference also (This has been invaluable!). I swear - If I dedicated to
using this method all along I'd be even further advanced.
Never rule out Benjawan Poomsun Becker's
Basic, Intermediate and Advanced learning books also (Fantastic!). These had a
great impact on my learning of reading - certainly the intermediate - Advanced
books - and again the transliterations that she uses are superb. (Personally I
found the tapes (as with Higbie) to not really be helpful but possibly personal
taste.
Like anything, learning Thai takes practice
and dedication. I know of guys (REALLY) that have been here for 30 years that
could not ask a direction. Yet I am astounded by some of the scuba diving
interns ability to pick up the basics quickly and be very polite with the staff.
Thai lessons can be found in many areas of
Jomtien and Pattaya – language schools are as common as 7-11’s. There is no
reason why you should not be able to learn Thai here in Jomtien or
Pattaya alongside the diving program. With many Thai teachers around you can
easily find a good one that will work on your schedule.
|
Scuba
Dive Training Internship Checklist - Things to ask your dive
training school (Important)
|
