wreck

Log This Dive

HTMS Khram

We love a good wreck, and the HTMS Khram delivers. This isn’t some ancient, crumbling hulk; it’s a deliberately scuttled Thai Navy patrol boat, sunk back in 2003, and it has settled beautifully onto the seafloor off Koh Tao. Dropping down, the sheer scale hits you first. She lies upright, nearly 50 metres long, with the mast reaching up to about 15 metres, making for a great multi-level dive. We always start at the bow, pushing through schools of blue and gold fusiliers that swirl so thick they momentarily block out the light. Our favourite part is definitely exploring the interior. You can fin through the crew quarters, peek into the engine room, and even navigate the bridge. Sunlight shafts through the open doorways, illuminating solitary dragonfish perched on bulkheads and the lazy glide of an estuary cod in the shadows. Look out for the big honeycomb groupers lurking in the deeper holds; they’re enormous. Visibility averages around 15-20 metres, but can drop after heavy rain, so we’d suggest an early morning dive before the day boats arrive for the calmest conditions. It’s a superb dive for advanced open water divers looking to get their first taste of wreck penetration in a relatively safe environment. Just keep an eye on your no-deco limit, it’s easy to lose track of time inside.