Sailing courses in Thailand

[Will Gilmore]

My family is heading to Thailand for a month or so. I am considering taking a course to get an IYT bareboat certification while there. There are several options in Phuket and Pattaya. I have never been to Thailand or anywhere East of Turkey, so I'm looking for any help I can get with my planning and research.

Thank you all.

-Will

 

[dlochner]

Thailand or anywhere East of Turkey,

Completely off topic. I've always thought of Thailand of being west of here. If I was going to fly to Thailand, I would assume the flights would go across the Pacific. Guess that's what growing up in Hawai'i does to your sense where things are in the world. Of course it is also east.

 

[Will Gilmore]

My international travels started on the Atlantic East coast of USA and have moved progressively eastward across Europe. My first foreign country visited in Europe was UK via Burmuda, then the Azores Portugal, Ireland, followed by Portugal proper, then Spain and Morocco. We have been working eastward ever since. Our flights, however, will leave Boston for Tokyo before landing in Bangkok.

-Will

 

[dLj]

Will, I have several friends that live in Thailand. What info are you looking for?

dj

 

[Will Gilmore]

Opinions about sailing courses, experience, suggestions, anecdotes, places to go, food to eat, things to see and do. I don't know enough to know what I need.

Apparently I need a VHF operator's cert and 200+ sailing miles as a prereq for the course. The milage is no problem, but I didn't even know VHF required a license. I assume there's an exam involved.

-Will

 

[dlochner]

Apparently I need a VHF operator's cert and 200+ sailing miles as a prereq for the course. The milage is no problem, but I didn't even know VHF required a license. I assume there's an exam involved.

No, just a credit card. Look on the FCC site for a Restricted Radio Operators License. You have to fill out the form, pay the fee and certify that you can read and write. That's about it.

 

[dLj]

Will,

I sent a message to a close friend I have there, it will probably be a day or so before he responds given the time difference and such...

I'll let you know if he has any suggestions.

dj

 

[dLj]

Will, I'm copying my friends response below:

Hi Dave ... Merry Christmas to you and yours ...

I suggest having your friend join and ask in one of the many Expat Phuket or Pattaya Facebook groups. The locals in these groups are normally friendly and helpful ...

⁦https://www.facebook.com/groups/phuketexpats/⁩

⁦https://www.facebook.com/groups/expat.living.in.pattaya/⁩

⁦https://www.facebook.com/groups/pattayajomtienlife/⁩

 

[Will Gilmore]

Thanks dLj. I appreciate your help.

-Will