Asia - Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand diving

Will be travelling by train/bus/boat from SIN-BKK around x-mas/new year's time and hoping to take some beginner's diving lessons on some lovely tropical island while crossing through Malaysia/Thailand. Have considered stopping by either Langkawi, Phi Phi, Similan, or Koh Tao... Have not considered east coast of Malaysia because of the monsoon season. Any recommendations (diving related or not) are welcome. Will spend about 3 days in SIN and will have a week after that to get to BKK.

Just something to consider -- some of the locals I know from KL will not travel the overland route to BKK for safety reasons; they will only go by plane. Be sure you are very well aware of the situation in the south part of Thailand before you make this trip. I think it has gotten better since the coup though. Sorry no recommendations on diving.

Will be travelling by train/bus/boat from SIN-BKK around x-mas/new year's time and hoping to take some beginner's diving lessons on some lovely tropical island...
do yourself a favor and take all your classroom work and pool work at home, you really don't want to waste vacation time doing this. Spend your vaca time really diving !!!!

Last time we were in Phuket, we could not find any 1/2 day diving, it all was a full day.

I'd like to hear what diving is near SIN.

Cardesigner 2000 - send me a private email and I can recommend a longtime acquaintance in Thailand who would know best current diving information.

Just something to consider -- some of the locals I know from KL will not travel the overland route to BKK for safety reasons; they will only go by plane. Be sure you are very well aware of the situation in the south part of Thailand before you make this trip. I think it has gotten better since the coup though. Sorry no recommendations on diving.
The violence is concentrated in the provinces on the east side of the South (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat). The west side, where the railway and main highway runs, is relatively safe, although Hat Yai (the largest city) has been hit on a few occasions.

A frend of mine is a dive instructor in Singapore. They generally run trips to the area around Tioman in Malaysia, but he could give you info for sure. Send me a PM if you want his contact info.

I agree on doing the pool work at home.