Nathan, author of the Ubertramp travel blog, had suggested I stop by Viking Divers once I arrived on Koh Phi Phi Don so we could meet up. Given how much I'd enjoyed meeting other travel bloggers in New Zealand and Bali, I was excited to meet him.
I know being a dive instructor entails work, but it also seemed to entail a lot of hanging out in the dive shop, being available to answer questions from potential customers. And if you love to dive, and are working and living in one of the prettiest spots on Earth, then I'd imagine life is good.
After a few chats in the shop, I stopped by my last night on the island and we headed to the beach for a beer. Inevitably, we talked about our blogs and the ability to earn money through advertising. I also took the opportunity to confirm the family that controls much of the island (as referenced in The Lonely Planet) is basically the Thai mafia. They apparently have their hands in everything from resorts to the ferries. I also confirmed, as on Koh Phayam, that the Thai police are well aware of the drugs available/brought onto the islands, and as Nathan suggested, such information would allow them to know exactly what is going on and clamp down if deemed necessary. For some reason, I find these aspects of local life on the touristy islands fascinating.
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Nomadic Matt says
September 8, 2008 at 4:59 amthe thai mafia controls all the islands…
Dave says
September 8, 2008 at 5:34 amExcellent (a la Mr. Burns from The Simpsons)
Nomadic Matt says
September 7, 2008 at 11:59 pmthe thai mafia controls all the islands…
Dave says
September 8, 2008 at 12:34 amExcellent (a la Mr. Burns from The Simpsons)
Nath says
September 21, 2008 at 11:02 amIt was great meeting up with you, Dave. I’m so glad you decided to pop in. If only you had more time on the island, and a night coinciding with a subsequent day off for yours truly, we could have stayed out for a few more. ‘Maybe even have ended up toe to toe in the Reggae bar boxing ring, GoBackpacking Vs. Ubertramp, the main event. Lol!
Oh, by the way, I’ve now left Viking and have gone into hiding (since the Thai Mafia have joined forces with the Police and have put a 25 Baht reward on my head) all for sharing with you the best two kept secrets in Thailand… ;-)
But don’t feel bad, Dave – ‘Big O’, my new cave buddy, is alright, but I wish he wouldn’t pick his toenails in bed, and it’s definitely his turn to empty the bucket…
Dave says
September 24, 2008 at 4:10 amWhoops, didn’t mean to blow your cover with the Mafia!
Nath says
September 21, 2008 at 4:02 pmIt was great meeting up with you, Dave. I’m so glad you decided to pop in. If only you had more time on the island, and a night coinciding with a subsequent day off for yours truly, we could have stayed out for a few more. ‘Maybe even have ended up toe to toe in the Reggae bar boxing ring, GoBackpacking Vs. Ubertramp, the main event. Lol!
Oh, by the way, I’ve now left Viking and have gone into hiding (since the Thai Mafia have joined forces with the Police and have put a 25 Baht reward on my head) all for sharing with you the best two kept secrets in Thailand… ;-)
But don’t feel bad, Dave – ‘Big O’, my new cave buddy, is alright, but I wish he wouldn’t pick his toenails in bed, and it’s definitely his turn to empty the bucket…
Dave says
September 24, 2008 at 9:10 amWhoops, didn’t mean to blow your cover with the Mafia!