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Manta-filled pinnacles, technicolor soft-coral walls and the chance to see a whale shark at sunrise—that’s a typical morning aboard the Thailand Master.
Operating four main itineraries in Thailand’s Andaman Sea and Myanmar’s remote Mergui Archipelago, this classic phinisi sails to sites that day boats can’t reach, offering up to four dives a day and night dives on most itineraries. Diving in Thailand and Myanmar is typically calm, and with main itineraries ranging from 5-10 days, it’s particularly inviting to first-timers or novice divers.
At 111-feet-long (34 m) the Indonesian-built Phinisi was refitted by Master Liveaboards. The vessel hosts just 18 guests in seven ensuite cabins, looked after by four dive guides and a welcoming crew. Rich teak interiors, shaded alfresco dining and a huge dive deck give the boat a boutique-hotel feel, with a constantly changing 360-degree ocean view.
Keep reading as we dive into our review of Thailand Master.
To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.
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The Thailand Master travels continuously between Southern Thailand, the Similan & Surin Islands, and the Mergui Archipelago of Myanmar. Guests can expect three to four dives a day, with easy reef drifts in the south, colorful bommies and the King Cruiser wreck in the Similans, and black coral-smothered walls in Mergui.
Pelagics steal the show—manta rays are common, whale sharks show up from March through May, while leopard and blacktip reef sharks patrol year-round. Macro lovers can hunt for harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish, and frogfish in sheltered bays and sandy bottoms.
Diving conditions in Thailand and Myanmar are generally clear, calm, and warm with mild currents, making it an ideal destination for divers of all experience levels. Some itineraries require only an Open Water certification and, thanks to the easy conditions, many guests choose to complete their Advanced Open Water certification during the trip.
If you’re not already certified, you can also take a nitrox course on any of the itineraries. Diving is done from two RIBs and groups are capped at six divers per guide for relaxed briefings and longer bottom times.
Thailand Master is a 112-foot (34 m) Indonesian-built phinisi schooner, constructed from dark ironwood and teak. The main dining area is outside with shaded communal tables and meals served buffet-style.
Out on the deck, there are beanbags and sun loungers for a midday nap or admiring the stars. There is a small air-conditioned salon where guests can help themselves to a self-serve coffee and tea station, and lots of plugs for the photographers. The fridge holds soft drinks, beer and wine, which guests take themselves, and pay for at the end of the trip. Below the deck, seven ensuite cabins are arranged to suit every budget and group size. Three cabins can be utilized as twin share or double; two fixed twin cabins feature two single beds; and two cabins feature four single beds (two twins and a bunk).
All rooms feature individual air-conditioning, hot-water showers, fresh towels and storage options.
Three generous meals are served buffet-style, mixing fresh Thai curries, international favorites and nightly desserts. Afternoon cakes, fruit and pre-dive snacks keep energy high. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets can be effortlessly catered to.
Cold beer, soft drinks and wine are available to guests for a surcharge, although bringing your own is permitted with moderation.
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