PADI Member Update 2012 on Koh Tao, Thailand

PADI Member Update 2012 on Koh Tao, Thailand

Since the update on Koh Samui will be when I'm planning to conduct a PADI IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia, I took the opportunity to visit the PADI Member Update on Koh Tao, a day ahead of the PADI IE which will start today.

PADI Member Update 2012

The location on Koh Tao was the same as last year at Choppers Bar on Sairee Beach, it was hard to believe but there were even more people than last year and even the upstairs room seems to become too small!

Tim was introduced under loud cheers from the crowd, it seems he's rather popular on Koh Tao. Unfortunately the sound system didn't work properly, it was difficult to follow what was being said and to stay focused, especially in a non air-conditioned and very smoky room!

Region 26, better known as Thailand, has now two Regional managers instead of the original one RM. Since Koh Tao is too big and too important for PADI, a large chunk of their business in the Asia Pacific region is generated each year on Koh Tao, it seems a wise and long overdue decision. Last year saw the introduction oh Tony Andrews as new RM for Thailand and this year sees the addition of Tim Hunt.