I am looking for recommendations for beach areas in Thailand. Would prefer an area is that is not too overrun with tourists but that offers memorable scuba diving, if at all possible not too far from Bangkok. All suggestions are appreciated.

Try out Had Rin on Phangan Island in the south. On the full moon it has the most famous party in the world which last all night. You wont want to leave. Have tons o fun.

Beach areas near Bangkok are South East ( Koh Samet/ Koh Chang ), these are between 5 and 10 hrs depending on how you get there. No airports. OR you can go South to beaches from Hua Hin southwards to Chumpon/Chompon. South of Hua Hin I believe there is diving near Prachuap Khiri Khan, sorry, not sure of the names, anyway this 'region' starts about 2/3 hrs south of Bangkok and then onwards. South of Hua Hin are near deserted beaches but no diving, but a little further down the coast you can find places. These are quiet remote places with a few diving centers. Chumpon certainly has, also you can boat to Koh Tao. Otherwise it's Phuket or Krabi ( air trips ) but busy. Sarah

Juju <BR>If you are indeed looking for a quiet beach, it has to be on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Like Sarah has said, it will be in Rayong and Trad province, may take upto 5 hours on road, but may not have diving facility. I will let you know more about diving later from my friends. <BR>One alternative that may have diving is Trang province in the south, twice daily by plane from bkk, it is less crowded compared to Phuket and Krabi. You can catch overnight train to reach there as well. Trang is the place where the underwater wedding ceremony takes place, you can check from Thai airway web site. <BR> <BR>welcome to the Kingdom.

hello juju,I'm thai, I recommend "Koh TAO" or TAO Island.it's the south part of thailand.it take about 6 hour from BKK I think it's the quite good one.because there are a lot of site for diving and cheaper than west side.the southwest is more beautiful (best)but It may expensive.anyway you can go to kao-san road there are many diving tours you can choose it.there have diving site in the east of thailand like "koh chang area" even it's take about 4-5 hrs but It might not beautiful.