Koh Phi Phi

Matt Butcher is thirty three years and is originally from Essex, United Kingdom. After leaving his job at London Stansted International Airport, where he was employed as Operations Controller for a stevedoring company (a high stressed job with little reward), Matt decided to leave England looking for a new challenge and pursue his dream of becoming a diving instructor and he is in Thailand where he lived and worked for six years.

Matt arrived on holiday in Thailand in 1993, he immediately fell in love with the country and its people vowing to return one day. Matt has returned to Thailand in 2000, and it was on Phi Phi, where he leaned first dive Koh Phi Phi is located in the Andaman Sea between Phuket and Koh Lanta. After finding itself underwater diving delights offered, he decided he wanted to advance his diving skills and knowledge, and finally, after much studying full time has become a PADI Open Water Diving Instructor .

Matt is one of the most famous diving in Thailand, if not all of Southeast Asia, if only for his misfortune. Here, in his first interview he talks about living and working in Thailand, it is like to dive with huge manta rays and whale sharks, life as a videographer and his genuine love for the morays.

Hello Matt, why did you choose to Phi Phi Island, where you want to learn to dive, it should be closer to home places as Thailand?

I chose Phi because it is an ideal place for diving and a great holiday destination. The water temperature is always around 30 degrees, there is much to see as sharks, turtles, and other stuff. Phi Phi is also a nice place to live and work, he has a small community where there is always something to do, it's also a great place to party. I did my open water and advanced courses on Phi Phi, then went to Koh Tao to my rescue and divemaster courses. Regarding the quality of diving is Phi Phi wins hands down, it's just things to see.

Have you ever dived in the UK? If not, why not?

N The main reason, I suppose, is that I'm not too keen on the idea of diving in cold water. Like coral reefs, colorful fish, good visibility and be able to dive in just a pair of board shorts. I've never used a dry suit and do not really want it. Saying that, maybe one day I would not mind trying some ice diving hardcore.

So you do not think you'll be back at work in England in the near future then?

It is very unlikely. Two weeks per year in the United Kingdom is enough for me. Thailand my home these days and I'm happy here, I live here with my Thai girlfriend and our little girl.

What is that work on an island paradise, as Phi Phi is that where the filmed the movie The Beach?

A4: work on Phi Phi is great, everything is close and everybody knows everybody. Workers are entitled to discounts at bars and restaurants, and life is generally good. I like the fact that there are no roads, cars, motorcycles or. The disadvantage of staying on Phi Phi is that it becomes quite expensive, especially when it comes to renting rooms and bungalows. For the monthly rent you pay on Phi Phi for a single room with a bed and a fan, you can easily get a three bedroom house or two to Phuket, Phuket is not exactly cheap. It was after the beach was filmed as prices have soared, people have become too greedy.

Have you worked elsewhere in Thailand, if so, where?

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