Rancho Santa Margarita, California – 2 February 2026 – PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand today announced a groundbreaking partnership designed to further establish Thailand as one of the world’s premier destinations for scuba diving – one where adventure, wellness, and ocean conservation converge.
Grounded in shared values of purpose-driven tourism, community impact, and marine protection, the partnership will spotlight Thailand’s unrivaled diving ecosystem while inspiring travelers to seek adventure and save the ocean through transformative underwater experiences that help heal themselves and the destination’s coastal environments.
“Thailand’s impact on the global dive community is extraordinary,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, PADI’s Global Brand and Membership Officer. “This partnership reflects the prestige of what has been built here over decades, along with our shared passion to continue elevating Thailand as one of the most meaningful dive destinations to seek adventure and save the ocean together.”
“Thailand has long offered travelers meaningful opportunities to connect with nature, culture, and community, and our partnership with PADI builds on this strong foundation,” says Mr. Santi Sawangcharoen, Executive Director for the Americas, Middle East, and Africa Region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
“By highlighting Thailand’s world-class diving experiences for the U.S. market, this collaboration supports high-quality tourism while generating positive economic impact for local communities. At the same time, it reinforces our commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism, ensuring our marine ecosystems are preserved for generations to come.”
A Shared Legacy Beneath the Surface
For nearly 50 years, since the first PADI Dive Center opened in Thailand, the destination has played a defining role in helping shape PADI into the world’s largest scuba diving organization.
What began as a growing regional dive market has now evolved into a global benchmark for diver education, professional training, and ocean stewardship, powered by an extraordinary community of PADI dive operators, instructors, and conservation leaders.
Over the past two and a half decades, more than 2.5 million divers completed PADI training in Thailand, with an ever-growing domestic market reflecting a 300% growth in Thai nationals taking up scuba diving and underscoring the country’s enduring appeal to divers of all experience levels. In 2025, Thailand ranked as the second-largest country globally for PADI certifications, accounting for approximately 8% of all PADI certifications worldwide. Thailand also ranks as one of the top global producers of PADI Instructors, highlighting the importance of the country for aspiring diving professionals.
“Thailand not only offers incredible diving, but it has also long been one of PADI’s most important scuba diving training destinations,” adds Thomas Knedlik, Vice President of PADI Asia Pacific. “The depth of experience, professionalism, and passion within the Thai dive community makes this partnership both a celebration of what has been achieved and a commitment to what’s to come.”
Turning Diving Into a Premium Health + Wellness Experience
At the core of the partnership between PADI and the Tourism Authority of Thailand is a shared belief that travel should leave a positive impact on both people and the places they visit. Together, the organizations are championing purpose-driven tourism experiences that give back to Thailand’s coastal communities and marine ecosystems, ensuring that diving remains a powerful force for conservation, connection and wellbeing.
These initiatives align with the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s new global campaign “Healing is the New Luxury”. The campaign positions Thailand as a sanctuary for the senses through meaningful connections, travel and way of life. Newly launched PADI initiatives will further elevate these restorative experiences found throughout the country.
Thailand is already home to nine PADI Eco Centers, which exemplify how dive tourism can promote marine biodiversity and community resilience – and have all been accredited through the United Nations’ Reef-World Foundation. As part of the partnership, Thailand will also be among the first destinations globally to launch the PADI Global Shark & Ray Conservation Course and Global Census, with Fast Manta Krabi helping to launch the program and provide divers with the opportunity to collect valuable data while helping safeguard some of the ocean’s most iconic and vulnerable species.
Beyond conservation, the partnership recognizes scuba diving as a powerful pathway to one’s own health and wellness.
Thailand has just recently had three of its dive operations accredited as PADI Adaptive Service Facilities, which are invested in comprehensive operational and structural services to promote inclusivity in diver training and adventures – providing accessibility for individuals of all abilities to explore the underwater world.
“The healing power of diving is profound, and nowhere is that more evident than in Thailand,” continues Valette Wirth. “These benefits are naturally amplified in Thailand, where warm waters, vibrant marine life, and a long-standing culture of hospitality create an environment uniquely suited for restorative ocean experiences. Furthermore, it has incredible PADI Dive Centers throughout the destination that are committed to ensuring the wonder of the underwater world remains accessible to all.”
“Thailand continues to welcome travelers seeking experiences that foster restoration, balance, and personal well-being,” added Sawangcharoen. “Through our ‘Healing is the New Luxury’ global campaign and our collaboration with PADI, we position diving not only as an adventure activity, but as a premium wellness experience—one that allows visitors to reconnect with nature while supporting mindful, responsible travel.”
Bringing the Spotlight to Diving in Thailand
In 2026, PADI and the Tourism Authority of Thailand will host a global content shoot showcasing the scuba diving lifestyle in Thailand through the eyes of world-renowned creatives that include filmmaker Pierson Ogelsby, award-winning Thai photographer and PADI AmbassaDiver Pier Nirandara, and fellow PADI AmbassaDivers Jolene Tong from Malaysia and Sunny Jin from China.
They will be exploring the iconic dive destination of Koh Tao with PADI’s Black Turtle Diving, which has long been regarded as a global mecca for learning to dive and shaping the next generation of ocean advocates.
The two organizations will also be inviting a group of award-winning journalists to experience first-hand how scuba diving in Thailand anchors as one of the ultimate wellness-driven holidays. They will get first look access into Fast Manta Krabi’s new three-day purpose-driven diving program, where divers learn and contribute to coral reef protection, marine debris removal, and shark and ray citizen science.
They will also experience some of Thailand’s leading wellness resorts, including Varana Krabi Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Phulay Bay, and Banyan Tree Krabi, which are championing water-based wellness, cultural connection, and community-driven experiences along Krabi’s coastline.
“These projects bring our partnership with Thailand to life in a way that is immersive, inspiring, and impactful,” explains Valette Wirth. “By inviting the world to experience Thailand through diving, whether capturing its beauty, contributing to conservation, or embracing wellness, we’re showing how travel can be a force for good here. Together with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, we’re inviting people to seek adventure, find healing, and help protect the ocean for generations to come.”
“We are delighted to partner with PADI to shine a spotlight on the exceptional diversity of Thailand’s underwater world,” said Sawangcharoen. “From vibrant coral reefs to advanced dive infrastructure, Thailand offers experiences that strengthen our position as one of the world’s leading dive destinations while enhancing the country’s broader tourism appeal to international travelers, particularly from the United States.”
This partnership brings together the Tourism Authority of Thailand New York Office and PADI. For more information on Thailand’s diving experiences, visit: thailandinsider.com/experience/diving-snorkeling.
