Siam Excursions > Frequently Asked Questions

F.A.Q

What are your booking terms and conditions?
- Unless otherwise agreed by both parties the following terms and conditions apply to all bookings:
  We require a 30% deposit for all tours (daytrips, liveaboards etc) and full payment for accommodation in order to secure your reservation. A temporary reservation will be made on your behalf, but no reservation can be confirmed (fixed) until a deposit has been received from you.
  The balance of 70% is due 60 days prior to the tour departure.
  Therefore, if you are making a reservation less than 60 days prior to tour departure, full payment is required at the time of reservation.

What are your cancellation conditions?
- Unless otherwise agreed by both parties the following cancellation conditions apply to all bookings:
  If you cancel your hotel reservation…
  … more than 45 days prior to check-in - we refund your deposit, minus bank charges
  … between 45 and 15 days prior to check-in - 50% of accommodation cost is lost
  … less than 15 days prior to check-in - 100% of accommodation costs is lost
  If you cancel any other reservation…
  … more than 60 days prior to trip departure - we refund your deposit, minus bank charges
  … between 60 and 45 days prior to trip departure - your deposit is lost
  … between 45 and 15 days prior to trip departure - 50% of the trip price is lost
  … less than 15 days prior to trip departure - 100% of the trip price is lost
  Note: a few items do have special cancellation conditions and you'll be advised of this at time of enquiry.

How can I contact Siam Excursions?
- Via snail-mail, e-mail, telephone, fax, instant messaging, our online reservation system and our online enquiry form. Have a look at our Contact Us page.

I see Siam Excursions is sometimes available on MSN and Yahoo messengers for quick queries etc. Is this secure?
- Instant Messaging communications can be secured (encrypted), on condition that both ends of the conversation are using the encryption technologies. At Siam Excursions we use IMSecure from Zone Labs. In order to establish encrypted communication with us via Instant Messaging, you’ll need IMSecure installed on your computer. It works; it’s small to download; and best of all, the basic version is FOC.
  Even if you don't install IMSecure, we can still 'talk' using Instant Messaging, but communications won't be encrypted, i.e. someone could listen in if they wanted. As long as you don't give any confidential information like credit card numbers etc, it shouldn't be a problem.

If I e-mail Siam Excursions or submit a request on the online system, how long do I have to wait for a response?
- Difficult to say. If we’re at the office behind the computer when you submit your enquiry, we’ll probably respond within minutes, unless we require information from the tour operator who might not be available. If we are available and have the information required, we’ll answer very quickly.
  All in all, because of time zone differences (we’re at GMT +7) etc, operator availability, etc please allow 24 hours for a response. Unless we have a serious technological breakdown, we will respond within 24 hours; probably much faster. We’ll do our best.

How do I pay for my online reservation?
- Currently payment can be made by credit card or by bank transfer from your bank to our bank. More information on payments is available by Contacting Us.

How do I know that you or the tour operator will fulfill your side of the agreement?
- Both us, and the tour operators we represent, are required to be registered with the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand). If there are any disputes as far as services rendered are concerned, you have the option of taking the issues up with the TAT, who will investigate and arbitrate the dispute.
  Obviously we would like to stay and operate here for the next, I don’t know, 50 years. In order to survive out here, we cannot afford to have a bad reputation.
  
  Our TAT license # is 33 / 2007

When is the high season in Thailand, in particular Phuket?
- High season starts somewhere in October and finishes somewhere in May; give or take a month. It is obviously a gradual change over.

Can we dive in the “low” season?
- Diving is certainly possible, but there are issues and limitations; as well as advantages, one being fewer guests, therefore less crowded boats and dive sites.
  During the low season we usually have strong winds, making for high swells and waves; a lot of feeding fish then.
  Also expect some rain, so lying outside catching a tan is not always possible.
  That said, the diving in the low season can actually be very good; sometimes better than in the high season. The only thing that really put people of diving in the low season is the actual trip to and from the dive sites. Once you get to the dive sites and under the water, everything is great.
  Sometimes, depending on the dive site and where you surface, getting out of the water and back on the boat in high waves and swells is a bit tricky, but we have certain techniques to deal with this situation. If you follow your dive guide and tour leader’s instructions, most of the low season problems can be overcome.
  As far as beach dives are concerned, because of the direction of the wind, the West coast of Phuket is not really dive able in the low season or it’s very dangerous if you do. Therefore we don’t do any beach dives during the low season.
  Live aboard trips during the low season is a matter of opinion. There are some operators that continue to operate in the Similans Islands during the low season, but we don’t recommend it and therefore we also don’t sell Similans Live aboard trips that run during the low season. It’s a rough trip to get out there and to move between dive sites is not fun. Most people don’t like being stuck on a boat for 3 or 4 days in bad weather. Ultimately it’s your choice whether or not you would like to do a Similans live aboard in the low season, but I prefer to have customers that are happy with the trips that I sell and don’t want to risk having an unhappy customer. Sorry.
  The only realistic diving in the low season is daytrips on boats or 2-day overnight trips to other islands, for example Phi-Phi where you either sleep on the Island itself or on a live aboard boat moored in a sheltered bay.

What temperature is the water when diving? What “level” of exposure protection (wetsuit) do I need to bring with me or what do you provide?
- The water temperature is usually between 28C (82F) and 32C (90F), depending on the season. Nice and warm. Usually not a problem for guests as most come from colder countries.
  Because of the warm water most dive centers only have 3mm shorties available for rental. This is adequate for the majority of guests.
  If you think this will not be adequate, 3mm+ long suits are available for sale or you can bring your own with you.

Is equipment rental included in the price for my dive trip?
- Unless otherwise specified, No, equipment is not included. Weights, weight belts and tanks are included, but the rest of the gear is available for rental at 500 Thai Baht per set per day. If you only need a few pieces and not a full set, these are also available, but as soon as you need 3 or more pieces it’s more economical to just rent a full set, which is a discounted equipment package price.

Are the services of a dive guide included in the price?
- Yes. You will be allocated a buddy and a dive guide, and will be required to dive in a small group of between 4 to 6 divers per dive guide.

Can my buddy and I go of by ourselves or do we have to follow the rest of the group?
- We’d prefer you to follow your dive guide, both for your own safety and for the protection of our environment. Unless you are a certified dive master or rescue diver with your own surface marker buoy and lots of experience, please follow your guide.
  Your dive guide also knows the dive sites very well and knows where all the good things hide. You might miss something really worth seeing by going your own way.
  If you really want to do your own thing, you’ll be required to make at least the first dive or two with a guide as a checkout dive to see if you’ll be OK and whether or not you can deploy surface marker buoys etc.
  This is obviously all negotiable with your tour leader.

Can I bring some corals, shells etc out of the water to take home?
- No. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to do so. We do our best to protect our environment and would like to leave it in a good condition for our children and their children and their children’s children etc etc etc. I would like to dive here myself for the next 30, 40, 50 years. Please don’t ruin it for the rest of us.
  Please remember we are guests in the environment.
  Don’t harass any of the marine life.
  Don’t touch anything.
  Don’t take anything.
  Don’t break anything.
  PLEASE!

Can you arrange airport transfers? or any other transfers?
- Sure. No Problem.

Are transfers from my hotel to courses, daytrips, live aboard trips and other tours included?
- It depends where your hotel is located and which tour you’re going on.
  For most tours, daytrips and courses transport is included in Patong, Karon and Kata areas. Other areas might incur a surcharge. You will be advised of any additional costs when you make your reservation.

I have a big group of divers and need a private charter boat. Can you arrange this?
- Yes, we can. If you have a specific boat in mind, the boat should be available for charter if there are no other advance bookings for the same period that you are interested in.
  If you have no specific boat in mind, please supply us with the number of guests and the period required and we’ll supply a list of available boats that can cater for your request.

How long before the departure of the tour do I have to book? Do I have to make an online reservation or can I just book the trip when I’m in Phuket?
- Hotel bookings depend on the hotel and the season. In high season the more popular hotels are sometimes fully booked a month or two in advance, if not more. If you leave your accommodation bookings for the last minute, you’ll have to take what you get, which might not be what you want.
  Live aboard dive trips starts selling up to a year before departure and some of the more popular boats are sold out months before departure.
  Daytrips depends on the boats, dive sites or packages. Most daytrips can be booked a few days prior to departure, some even the night before, but more popular trips, like Phi-Phi overnight trips, are sometimes sold out a week or two in advance.
  For scuba diving courses, if you’re around for a few weeks, it’s not a problem to book a course a week or so in advance, but if you’re only around for a few days or need an Instructor with a not-so-common language, advance booking is highly recommended. It’s difficult to find available Instructors on short notice in the high season.
  All in all, to avoid disappointment, do yourself a favor and just book in advance. Otherwise your dream holiday could turn into a nightmare or your honeymoon into a divorce. :-(

Siam Excursions > Frequently Asked Questions