Koh Lanta Travel Tips

Like many Thai islands, business hours are dictated by the whims of the shopkeepers and the time of year, they are rarely consistent.

Banks: 08:30 to 15:30
Post Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday
Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, daily some stay open later
Business Offices: 08:00 to 18:00, daily

There is very little to worry about when you visit Koh Lanta. Crime is virtually nonexistent here and violence is almost unheard of. You won’t need to keep an eye out for pickpockets or scam artists, but be careful with valuables in your bungalow. Always carry your cash and passport with you unless your resort has a safe. Things often go missing from bungalows while you’re out and about, as there are always opportunistic thieves lurking around every beach.

Be careful if you drive a motorbike. The road on Koh Lanta is hilly and curvy and when it rains it becomes surprisingly slippery. Many visitors leave the island with a bad case of road rash. The sea can also be very rough during the rainy season, so take care if you go swimming between May and October. The sun, of course, is another thing to consider. Wear plenty of sunscreen to avoid burning. Drugs, while readily available on most of the islands, are still illegal in Thailand. If you get caught in possession, you could end up with a hefty fine, find yourself deported or face a jail sentence.

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz, with two-pin sockets the standard type of plug.

No vaccinations are required to visit Thailand, but it’s wise to make sure you are up-to-date with the essential inoculations such as hepatitis and tetanus. Most travellers will get at least one case of bad stomach from contaminated food or water. Local pharmacies in Sala Dan can give you medicine for that, but always make sure your seafood has been thoroughly cooked, and the ice from purified water. Always stick to bottled water for drinking.

If you get seriously ill during your visit to Koh Lanta, you will need to head back to the mainland. There are decent hospitals in Krabi and Phuket, but little more than a health clinic on the island. Always ensure that you have a comprehensive medical insurance.

Koh Lanta Clinic: +66 76 697 017
Krabi Hospital: +66 76 611 202

Thai is the national language in Thailand, although many people in the tourist industry can speak and understand at least some basic English. Koh Lanta is mainly a tourist destination, so you won’t have any trouble communicating basic needs in English.

The currency in Thailand is the baht (THB). Bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 baht. Coins are in denominations of 1, 5 and 10 baht.

Only baht is accepted on the island, so you’ll need to exchange your currency. This can be done at banks and exchange kiosks, which always offer the best rates. Hotels, and even some shops and restaurants, will also exchange money but at a lower rate. There aren’t many places to change money on Koh Lanta, so you may want to do your exchanging in Krabi or Phuket. Credit cards are only accepted at larger resorts and restaurants, so don’t plan on using your plastic much on Koh Lanta. Bring plenty of baht, because you don’t want to have to go back to the mainland just to get more cash.

Visitors may import 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, one litre of alcohol and a reasonable amount of perfume. It is illegal to bring drugs, firearms or any plants, meat or fruit into the country. When you leave, you can’t take any historical items or Buddhist relics with you.

Thais have a long list of social etiquette rules which are followed quite rigorously even in our modern times. In general, Thais are extremely polite and reserved. They are famous for their smiles and friendly demeanour and will almost always go out of their way to help visitors from another country, whom they call farang. There are a few rules to remember if you want to impress the locals and show respect. Feet are considered dirty, so never use them to point at someone or something. Always remove your shoes before entering a house or temple. Don’t touch Thais on the head, as this part of the body is sacred. Try not to lose your temper, even in the most frustrating situations, as this is considered very poor manners. Keep your cool and things will always work out.

Thailand is actually a very conservative society despite some common notions that it’s a party destination. Dress conservatively, unless you’re on the beach. Don’t show too much affection for your partner in public and don’t go topless at the beach. Koh Lanta is a Muslim island and this will earn you instant scowls of disdain. The king of Thailand is held in the highest regard, and for good reason.

There’s no great formality when dining out in Thailand, especially at the beach. Thai-style eating involves the entire table sharing the dishes you’ve ordered. Unlike Western restaurants which serve each person their own serving, Thais like to share the meal with each other. It’s a great idea, and you can try several dishes each time you dine. Don’t expect quick or efficient service from Thai restaurants. Waiters don’t usually get tipped, so there’s little incentive to pay attention to you. If you need something, just catch someone’s attention and they’ll help you out.

Thailand does not require advance visas from citizens of most countries. Nearly everyone from the West can receive a 30 day tourist visa upon arrival at the airport for free. It is possible to get 60 and 90 day tourist visas, but these must be organised in advance from your nearest Thai embassy.

Koh Lanta doesn’t have an official Thai tourist office, but you can find a good branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Krabi. The office provides information, brochures and other useful tips every day fro 08:30 until 16:30. They can be contacted on: +6675 612 740