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[Tony accounts for another grouper]

a large island in the Gulf of Bengal just north of Thailand's southern border. Puket (Phuket) is a tin-mining center and a scenic attraction whose potential as a tourist resort has yet to be developed. Populated largely by tribes of "sea gypsies" who earn their living fishing, the island and its smaller satellites had seldom been visited by sport divers. Those who had been there reported clear water during the winter months, with an abundance of fearless fish. Tony Buxton and Vichai arranged the trip, for which Thai Airways, Thailand's domestic airline, offered a group discount on its regular jet flight.

    Welcomed by the island province's governor, our exploratory party enjoyed three days' good diving, although an unseasonable murkiness of the water reduced the hoped-for photographic coverage. The divers saw a much wider variety of fish and other life than is present in the Gulf, however with such tropical beauties as the spiny scorpionfish and the Moorish Idol occurring in great numbers. Lobster, too, which we never seem to find a diving depths in the Gulf, lurked on ledges and invited efforts - mostly unsuccessful - to capture them. The party have time to investigate only