Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
your other washing needs, there are heaps of places that will gladly wash your clothes.
Prices hover around 40B per kilo, and express cleanings shouldn't be more than 60B per
kilo.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Medical services can be a little crooked in Ko Pha-Ngan - expect unstable prices and un-
derqualified doctors. Many clinics charge a 3000B entrance fee before treatment. Serious
medical issues should be dealt with on nearby Ko Samui.
24hr)
About 2.5km north of Thong Sala; of-
Ko Pha-Ngan Hospital
(
0 7737 7034; Thong Sala;
fers 24-hour emergency services.
MONEY
Thong Sala, Ko Pha-Ngan's financial 'capital', has plenty of banks, currency converters
and several Western Union offices. Hat Rin has numerous ATMs and a couple of banks at
the pier. There are also ATMs in Hat Yao, Chalok Lum and Thong Nai Pan.
POST
Main Post Office
( 8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat)
In Thong Sala; there's a smaller office
right near the pier in Hat Rin.
TOURIST INFORMATION
There are no government-run Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) offices on Ko Pha-
Ngan; instead tourists get their information from local travel agencies and brochures.
Most agencies are clumped around Hat Rin and Thong Sala. Agents take a small commis-
sion on each sale, but collusion keeps prices relatively stable and standardised. Choose an
agent you trust if you are spending a lot of money - faulty bookings do happen on Ko
Pha-Ngan, especially since the island does not have a unit of tourist police.
Several mini-magazines also offer comprehensive information about the island's ac-
commodation, restaurants, activities and Full Moon Parties. Our favourite option is the
Backpackers Information Centre
( 0 7737 5535;
www.backpackersthailand.com
; Hat Rin)
A must for trav-
ellers looking to book high-quality tours (diving, live-aboards, jungle safaris etc) and
transport. Not just for backpackers, it's an expat-run travel agency that offers peace of
mind with every purchase - travellers are provided with the mobile phone number of the
owners should any problems arise. It also runs the Crystal Dive shop next door.
