Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Banks: 09:00 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 10:00 to 20:00, daily

Koh Phangan is a very safe destination to travel to, with little in the way of crime. It is however important to use common sense and keep hold of your belongings. While there might not be much theft on the island, locals are inclined to rip tourists off and charge much more for basic items than would normally be expected. This however is the rule across the island and prices are still relatively cheap.

Full moon parties have the reputation for being full of people on drugs and while drugs do exist, there are many plain clothes policemen on duty to arrest anyone in possession of anything illegal. It is adviseable to leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your accommodation if you are attending a full moon party. Always avoid going barefoot on the sand during a party as there is often broken glass around. 

If you are looking to leave the island the day after the full moon party, make sure that you are not getting on an overloaded boat as the boating companies try and fit as many people onto one boat as possible, causing a potentially dangerous situation.

Electricity: 220V AC, all plugs are two-pronged.

Koh Phangan does not pose any serious health risks for travellers, although you should be aware of the strength of the sun and the risk of dehydration. Due to its proximity to the equator, the sun in Thailand is very strong which can lead to serious sun burn if sun block is not used effectively. Always take plenty of bottled water with you wherever you go and avoid drinking tap water, as it can cause stomach upsets.

It is recommended that you have a hepatitis A vaccination before travelling to Thailand and that you ensure all of your standard vaccinations such as tetanus are up-to-date. If you are travelling from a country where yellow fever is a problem, a certificate of vaccination must be shown. 

Pharmacies throughout the island are very well-stocked and most medicine that is only available on prescription in most countries can be bought over the counter here. There is a new hospital about two kilometres north of Thong Sala, set back from the road to Chaloklum. 

Phangan Hospital: +66 77 377 034

While Thai is the national language, many local people are keen to learn English and at most resorts; you will not find communication a problem. English is widely spoken by most people connected with the tourist industry. You will also find that many local people will enjoy practicing English with you and will be grateful for a couple of minutes of your time while they practice some useful phrases. It is also a good idea to learn simple phrases in Thai such as ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’, as your effort will be very much appreciated.

The national currency of Thailand is the baht. Notes can be found in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 20 baht, while coins come in denominations of 10, 5, 1 baht. Satangs are quarter fractions of 1 baht, although are not commonly used.

Most international currencies and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at exchange bureaux across the island. Larger resorts also offer this service, although it is wise to shop around for the best rates as they can vary. Major credit cards are accepted at some larger establishments, although it is wise to carry cash on you as most of the restaurants and bars here only take baht. The most commonly used credit cards are Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diner’s Club.

You will find a number of ATMs across the island where you can withdraw money at a reasonable rate straight from your bank account. It is important to note that most places will not accept damaged notes, so if you received one in change, you should ask for a replacement bill.

When you enter Thailand, you will be asked to fill out a customs declaration form. Fire-arms, narcotics and pornographic material are strictly forbidden and the penalties for drug trafficking are severe, often resulting in long-term imprisonment and even death. If you want to take antiques out of the country, you must first apply for a permit from the Fine Arts Department in Bangkok. Buddha statues are not allowed to be taken abroad. 

Upon arrival into the country, you allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, one litre of spirits and a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use only.

While holidaying in Thailand, it is important to follow some very basic rules of etiquette, although Phangan is a lot more laid-back than some of the bigger towns and cities.

If you decide to visit local temples, always ensure that you dress respectfully with shoulders and legs covered. Women in particular should dress conservatively. 

It is important to try and remain calm and never lose your temper as this is a big cultural ‘no-no’. Thai people place a lot of emphasis on the concept of saving face and to lose face or force somebody else to lose face can cause a lot of problems.

Dining Etiquette
Dining etiquette in Thailand may seem very alien to people visiting from the West for the first time, but by and large, there are not as many rules as in most European countries.

The traditional way to eat Thai food is to order a few dishes to share between your eating party. Dishes are placed in the middle and enough rice is ordered for everyone. Side bowls are given when soup is ordered. There is no starter and main course in Thai dining; dishes arrive as they are cooked and eaten accordingly.

Unfortunately however, some dishes can take a lot longer to prepare and as a result, you may find a couple of dishes arrive a long time after the first. You’ll find that you very quickly get used to this way of eating as not only is it very social, but you also have the benefit of being able to try many dishes. 

Knives are not generally used as most food is already cut into bite size pieces. Forks, spoons and chopsticks are the main utensils.

Everyone entering Thailand must have a passport which is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Thirty-day visas are available on arrival, while 60-day tourist visas can be applied for at your nearest Thai embassy. As visa regulations can change without much notice, it is adviseable to check rules and regulations before departure.

There is no tourist information office on Koh Phangan; the nearest one is on Koh Samui where all relevant information can be given.