Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Police Station
( 0 7745 6631)
Between Mae Hat and Sairee Beach along the rutted portion of
the beachside road.
INTERNET ACCESS
Rates are generally 2B per minute, with a 20B minimum and discounts if you log on for
one hour or longer. You may find, however, that certain useful tourism websites have been
firewalled at internet cafes affiliated with travel agencies. The larger dive schools on the
island usually have a wireless connection available for laptop-toting travellers.
MEDICAL SERVICES
All divers are required to sign a medical waiver before exploring the sea. If you have any
medical condition that might hinder your ability to dive (including mild asthma), you will
be asked to get medical clearance from a doctor on Ko Tao. If you're unsure about wheth-
er or not you are fit to dive, consider seeing a doctor before your trip as there are no offi-
cial hospitals on the island, and the number of qualified medical professionals is limited.
Also, make sure your traveller's insurance covers scuba diving. On-island medical 'con-
sultations' (and we use that term very lightly) cost 300B. There are several walk-in clinics
and mini-hospitals scattered around Mae Hat and Sairee. All serious medical needs should
be dealt with on Ko Samui. If you are diving, ask your outfitter to point you in the proper
direction of medical advice.
on call 24hr)
Has a temporary
Diver Safety Support
(
08 1083 0533; kohtao@sssnetwork.com; Mae Hat;
hyperbaric chamber and offers emergency evacuation services.
MONEY
There are 24-hour ATMs at the island's 7-Elevens. There's also a cluster of ATMs orbiting
the ferry docks at Mae Hat. There is a money exchange window at Mae Hat's pier and a
second location near Chopper's in Sairee Beach. There are several banks near the post of-
fice in Mae Hat, at the far end of town along the island's main inland road. They are usu-
ally open 9am to 4pm on weekdays. Almost all dive schools accept credit cards, however
there is usually a 3% or 4% handling fee.
POST
Post Office
( 0 7745 6170; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat)
A 10- to 15-minute walk from the
pier; at the corner of Ko Tao's main inner-island road and Mae Hat's 'down road'.
TOURIST INFORMATION
