Phuket was known as Bukit, Junk-Ceylon or Muang Talang. Bukit is the name that derives, in meaning from the Tamil Manikram or Crystal Mountain. Junk- Ceylon is the name that was found on all the old maps (Ptolemy’s Geographical), written by the Greek, Alexandrian, the Geographer. In the third century A.D. and it was also named Muang Talang from the part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahmarach empires. It was also called Monton Phuket in Rama V’s reign.

Heroines Monument.

The most important historic event is the story of two heroines. Thao Thep Kasatri (Kunying Jan) and Thao Sri Sunthorn (Kunying Mook). The people of Phuket were assembled led by these two heroines to fight with the Burmese. The Burmese army came to Phuket to attack, but after a month’s long siege, the Burmese were forced to depart, well and truly beaten.

On 13th March 1785, Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defence of Phuket. In recognition King Rama 1, bestowed upon Kunying, the honour of Thao Thep Kasatri! A title usually only reserved for Royalty. According to legend local Phuket women were disguised as men to become male soldiers.

Phuket Island as a long history, in centuries past Phuket was an important trading post on the eastern shore of the Bay of Bengal, shipping and dealing with sailors from the Arab and Malay worlds. India, Burma, China and, of course Siam. By the 16th century, Phuket was well known to the Europeans, first Portuguese and Dutch, and then the English and French sailed to its fabled shore.

At that time, Phuket enjoyed an unprecedented surge in wealth, when tin was found to be available in large quantities. Ambitious hardworking miners and businesses flocked to Phuket and from the province South China came to the island as well. Nowadays there is still a Chinese element in Phuket cuisine, architecture, Chinese community and Chinese Temples.

 

Andrea and Gerry "two new PADI OWSI's"

At Scuba Cat Diving we offer a unique IDC for you. The whole course in its entirety will be taught by Christophe Pace PADI Platinum Course Director, we do not use Staff Instructors at all for our IDCs, you are paying for a quality Course for your future and we will give you just that. If in the event of an emergency Christophe is unable to attend a session, I will take over, Sarah Kench PADI Course Director and Owner of Scuba Cat Diving.

 

PADI IDC Staff

Scuba Cat Diving, Phuket, Thailand’s Resident Platinum PADI Course Director Sarah Kench:

“I started scuba diving in Europe over 20 years ago since then, diving has become my favourite activity. Before working in the dive industry, I used to work as an International Observer for the United Nations in countries such as Mozambique, Cambodia and South Africa. My main task was to implement civil education program, to teach local people how to organize elections and implement Human Rights.”

Becoming an Instructor was the best combination of “Teaching and Diving”. My career as an Instructor took me to wonderful places: Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Cayman Islands, Egypt, The Philippines, Sipadan, Indonesia, Vietnam and for the last 9 years in Thailand. The contacts I have made in all these years are very useful for my PADI IDC candidates when they are looking for a Scuba Diving job.

Since 2000, I have concentrated on Instructor levels, in 2001 and 2002 I received PADI’s prestigious: Outstanding Contribution for Instructor Development Award and in 2003 and 2 in 2008 certificates of Recognition for Excellence.

Now, I conduct PADI IDC’s in Phuket, Thailand with the Scuba Cat Diving Team and oversee Scuba Cat Diving’s innovative Scuba Diving Career Development Program and Internship programme.

 

Receive 15% discount on trips for 2010/2011 if booked and paid for in full by the end of October 2010

This offer includes all trips on MV Scuba Adventure to the Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richilieu Rock

contact info@scubacat.com for more information

Scuba Cat Diving to visit Dive 2010

Scuba Cat Diving, Phuket, Thailand will once again be at Dive 2010, NEC, Birmingham, England on 30 October 2010 til 31 October 2010

Drop by and see us, again we will be on Stand 1265 in the Asia Pacific Showcase, get 10% discount off your next trip or course with Scuba Cat and also have a chance to win a liveaboard onboard MV Scuba Cat.

As one of the largest PADI 5 * CDC centres on Phuket, Scuba Cat Diving’s liveaboard MV Scuba Cat sails the waters around the Similans, while Scuba Adventure takes divers on exciting safaris beyond. Also on offer is a full range of PADI courses, from Bubblemaker up to professional Instructor level, along with nitrox, rebreather and trimix courses and career internships.

Summer is underway here in Phuket and what a summer it is, while you guys are sitting around dreaming of your last dive, we are making ours daily in warm water with visibility you would not believe…

So don’t just sit there dreaming let Scuba Cat Diving, Phuket, Thailand make it a reality…

Local Diving News

MV Scuba Cat