In the latest incident just last week, the body of a Chinese tourist was found alone, some 11 metres deep by another dive tour group north of Phuket, the circumstances surrounding her death still vague.
The tragedy came only 10 days after another Korean tourist had mysteriously died during a “try dive” trip off Phuket's Koh Hae.
In April, 36-year-old American Joshua Devine (see story here) went missing while he was en route to the Similan Islands. His body was never recovered, nor was light ever shined onto his disappearance.
A month before that, in March, a “volunteer” Thai diver died on a tour around the Similan Islands, while he and a few other volunteers were attempting to adjust moorings at a depth of 42 metres.
Then there was the British tourist who was severely injured by a boat’s propellers in June while she was diving off the coast of Koh Tao (see story here).
Don't forget about the Russian cave divers (see story here) who died in December last year after an accident in the Chiewlan Reservoir in Surat Thani, or the Norwegian tourist who perished, also in December of last year, while diving off the shores of Tao Thong island when she was hit by the propeller of another dive vessel (see story here).
Ironically enough the dive shop she arranged with pride themselves with their 'Safety and Quality First' motto.
While the exact causes in each respective case are not always clear-cut, and in some cases could be argued as legit accidents, the consistency and frequency of such incidents is all too concerning.
All too often we are left with only more questions and excuses than answers and solutions, and with each tragedy authorities vow to get tough on safety enforcement, vowing to ramp up inspections on boat companies and diving instructors.
Yet, more hapless souls continue to needlessly lose their lives, instead of 'having the time of their lives'?
Indeed Thailand is still home to some pristine dive sites, which will continue to lure marine tourists near and far.
However, if the country and industry is to curb if not eliminate the number of tragedies in the future, active and consistent enforcement of protocol and regulations will be required. Lip service won't cut it.