I am planning to do my PADI in Thailand next week - can anyone recommend the best centre for this time of year? I've heard that visibility on the East coast is not too good.

As a full time dive instructor in Thailand (#610614) I can tell you that the East coast (Koh Tao/Samui) at this time of the year is poor visability, but thats normal for this time of the year. April is when I expect things to improve.
At the moment, the West coast around Phuket is approaching Whale Shark (8 to 12m long fish)season, but ask yourself do you wanna spend time in a sex resort. Koh Lak just north of Phuket is a backpackers location, ideal to see the Whale Sharks (Similians Islands) and if you prefer remoteless as oppose to Phuket nitelife, then this is the place.
Krabi and Phi Phi also on the West coast is also in season at the moment but the trend of dynamite fishing is destroying the place.

If you need more info, email me at paulr@hotmail.com

My email is paulr28uk@hotmail.com
Ignore my previous address