Living In Thailand as a PADI Dive Professional
(2025 Update)
Living In Thailand: Ever wondered what it would be like to become a Dive Pro and live in Pattaya Thailand?
Many of us only dream about Living In Thailand, Diving in Pattaya and getting away from the hustle and bustle of our boring lifestyles, but some of us live the dream and lifestyle others envy. If you are one of these people who want to live life to the fullest and are thinking about an extended diving holiday becoming a PADI dive instructor and living in Pattaya, Thailand, read on.
Our goal is simple, we want to turn ordinary people, young and old, whether you have dived before or never tried, into highly trained, employable PADI diving professionals to meet the world’s demand. It’s time to stop stressing and start living! OK, it’s very easy to say but really it’s even easier to do! regardless of your situation, if you want to do something, you should do it! life is for living and as far as anybody knows, you only get one. If you’re thinking to yourself, oh, that’s not me, I can’t just up and leave, I like to, but… think again. No really, think about how you can achieve it. NOTHING is impossible if you plan how to make it happen.
Living in Pattaya & Long Holidays In Thailand
Endless sun, white sandy beaches, and a healthy climate! Who hasn’t had a dream about spending a long holiday in Pattaya or living in Thailand for the rest of their life? With the sun, tropical sandy beaches and a plethora of culture and activity on your doorstep.
Becoming a PADI Dive professional and Living in Thailand South East Asia can make your dreams come true even if you are not a millionaire and running on a low budget. Just think a little about how to make it happen.
Want to Change Your Life?
What’s keeping you from doing so? Money? Prepare…save and make a plan, borrow, sell your junk, look for opportunities, learn an online skill.… find a cover or replacement, try your luck, and ask for a sabbatical 3-6-month leave.. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. After everything, the truth is you never know what tomorrow will bring unless you are the one bringing it!
I like the idea but I’ve never traveled a lot. I’m scared of what i’ll find…
What are you scared or worried for? We are all family, if that’s how you see the world (and divers do) then you’re never really alone or without support, strange new places become adventures and worries become challenges easily overcome with your scuba brothers and sister around the world.
How can I get a job as a Dive Pro?
Don’t see becoming a dive instructor like just getting a new job.. If you have financial commitments, explore other ways to make money whilst you travel, your travelling the world which in its self is amazing but also that gives you literally, all the opportunities of the world. Working online in some context is a great integration to living in Thailand, many people don’t know that it’s possible to make a living online, or at least a good extra income.
There are so many ways to make money over the internet these days too. Online Shops, where you sell goods whilst Living in Thailand and send them worldwide, Blog and video content creator are fun ways to monetise your travels as well.
As a dive professional, you will be working closely to tourism, get involved with Travel and location new and information, where people can be informed about Thailand and even maybe book their diving or other holiday activities in Thailand and earn commissions for every sale you make.
Set up some websites about anything you like, Maybe you blog about your adventures, sell pictures or stock video, teach languages, learn international cooking styles, and write a cookbook.. I don’t know but the potential is limitless! You can also earn money as a publisher from certain advertisers who will put their ads on your site.
Explore them and see what works for you. All this said note this; Nothing in life is certain but I can tell you this. Becoming a PADI Dive professional will change your life!… Will it make you rich beyond your wildest dreams?… sadly probably not, that said some have combined it into a successful business plan.. its not outside the realm of possibility. Will it make you wake up every morning with a smile on your face knowing that the ocean is your office? Yes, It should do! The point I’m making here is we GoPro for the lifestyle, the family, the travel, the adventures, and the interactions across our globe and under the sea in a world so unbelievable and beautiful we will be forever spellbound to it. Our ‘paycheck’ is happiness and satisfaction in living a life you love.. after you become a PADI dive pro you’ll see that the paychecks you got before, were more like compensation for making you miserable.
How Much Does it Cost to Live in Pattaya Thailand?
The cost of living in Thailand is cheap by comparison to most home country’s but how much money do you need every month to enjoy your life?
You should not be completely penniless when you are thinking about moving to and living in Thailand, its goes without saying you should allow enough money to cover the basics like a roof over your head, food in your stomach and other amenities you require.
Pattaya Vs Phuket Vs Koh Tao?
Depending on whether you live in a city or on an island, the cost varies. For Example, the cost of living is much better in Pattaya Vs Phuket
and island life like on Koh Tao may seem cheaper in some respects, but the costs soon rack up with island-type surcharges like more expensive food, water and other daily expenses. The cost of living in Pattaya in terms of food and accommodation is much lower than living on an island like Koh Tao or Phuket.
Explore this full guide about Pattaya
You can have the best of both worlds living in Pattaya, choosing luxury if you wish or you can live very cheaply if you want to, but I figured if I spell out a good general average, this will help you to gauge the expectation a little bit better. where you can oversee the typical monthly cost of living in Thailand. This is based on the exchange rate of 1€ = 40 Baht:
Discover Why Pattaya Thailand is Unbeatable for Diver Training.
| Expense (Approx.) | USD | Thai Baht |
|---|---|---|
| Rent for Room/Apartment Per Month From: | 220 – 275 USD | 8,000 – 10,000 Baht |
| Electric Bill Per Month (without aircon use): | 14 – 22 USD | 500 – 800 Baht |
| Electric Bill Per Month (with 1 aircon use**): | 30 – 55 USD | 1,100 – 2,000 Baht |
| Water Bill Per Month: | 4 – 8 USD | 150 – 300 Baht |
| Laundry Service Per Month: | 8 – 14 USD | 300 – 500 Baht |
| Food & Drink (500 – 800 Baht per day per person): | 410 – 655 USD | 15,000 – 24,000 Baht per month |
| 5G Sim Data Service Per Week: | 2.70 – 4.10 USD | 100 – 150 Baht |
| Internet (1GB Fibre Line) from: | 23 – 28 USD | 850 – 1,000 Baht |
**General use is based on moderate aircon usage — not running the unit all day and night.
**Please note these living expenses are to offer you a general overview some of these expenses are included in our Diving Internship in Pattaya Accommodations
Don’t forget that you may have other costs running in your home country, like health or life insurance. You must also have the money available for the frequent “visa runs” every 3 months or so and new Visas. Your return ticket to your home country, if anything goes wrong, should also be available.
Explore The Ultimate Diving Pattaya Guide, the Pattaya Guide by AHG or Read Why Pattaya is Unbeatable for Diver Training for more insight.
What About Thai Visas 2025?
NEW THAI VISA UPDATE
Tourist Visas on arrival are now stamped for a 60-day stay with the ability to extend by 30 days, offering people a 90-day stay in Thailand.
** Please always Check With the Thai Consulate on the most recent Visa Changes For Thailand
Foreigners require a Visa to enter and stay in the Kingdom of Thailand, most are granted a free 30 day visa on arrival but if you want to stay long term it pays to know your options and consider another visa before you start living in Thailand. With the longer Visa you must comply with the visa regulations to get your visa extended or make some visa runs every two or three month depending on your visa type, be it a Tourist Visa or a Non-Immigrant Visa. Even a one-year ED-Visa might be an option for visitors attending a language course. We recommend finding a Thai Consulate in your home country and looking at a multi-entry tourist visa to begin with, which will give you the most time and the least hassle to begin with.
I dont want to go pro but I do want a long diving holiday in Thailand
No problem at all! If you’re not looking to go pro but want to immerse yourself in diving for an extended period, a Master Diver Internship is a perfect fit. It’s a long diving holiday with purpose—spend 1 month or more diving regularly, sharpening your skills, gaining new certifications, and becoming the best, most confident diver you can be. You’ll get to explore incredible dive sites, meet awesome people, and take your passion for diving to the next level—without the pressure of turning it into a job.
Here are the best Diving Internships on offer in Pattaya Thailand
protected by reCAPTCHA