Practical Information for visiting Eastern Thailand

Coverage for mobile networks is good along the mainland coast and on the main islands from AIS, TrueMove and dtac, with 4G throughout and 5G in Pattaya, Rayong and Chonburi. Ko Chang’s interior and east coast, and the smaller islands, have weaker signal.

Tourist SIMs are cheap and available at the airports and convenience stores.

Wi-Fi is standard in hotels and restaurants and generally reliable on the mainland; on Ko Kut and Ko Mak it can be slow or limited to certain hours.

Power on the smaller islands is less reliable than on the mainland, and outages follow storms in the wet season. Carry a power bank, and download ferry timetables before crossing.

The region is safe and crime against visitors is mostly opportunistic, but it has a few specific hazards.

• Scooters on Ko Chang are the commonest cause of serious injury here. The west-coast road has steep gradients and sharp bends, and the stretch near Kai Bae has a reputation locals will warn you about.
• Jet-ski damage scams are long established in Pattaya and on Ko Samet: a rental is returned and damage is claimed. Photograph the machine thoroughly before taking it out, or avoid them.
• Rip currents and rough seas during the monsoon; ferries are suspended for good reason.
• Box jellyfish are present in the Gulf and have caused fatalities.
• Pattaya nightlife: drink spiking, inflated bar bills and scams involving invitations are all common.
• The Cambodian border has had periodic disputes; cross at official points only.

Private hospitals in Pattaya, Rayong and Chanthaburi are good and used to foreign patients; Bangkok Hospital operates in several eastern cities. On Ko Chang there is a small hospital and clinics, and anything serious means a ferry to the mainland — which is a real consideration in rough weather.

Vaccinations: routine cover plus hepatitis A and typhoid; rabies and Japanese encephalitis for longer or rural stays.

Dengue is common, particularly in the wet season, and the mosquito bites by day. There is a low malaria risk in the forested districts along the Cambodian border, including parts of Trat province — worth asking a travel clinic about if you are going inland there.

Marine hazards: box jellyfish, sea urchins and coral cuts, which infect quickly.

Scooter injuries are the most common reason visitors see a doctor here; confirm your insurance covers you.

Water: drink bottled or filtered; commercially made ice is safe.

The monarchy. Lese-majeste law carries long prison sentences, applies to foreigners and to online posts, and is enforced. Do not discuss the royal family.

National park rules apply on Ko Chang and Ko Samet: pay the entry fee, do not remove coral or shells, and note that some beaches prohibit alcohol and open fires.

Cover up away from the beach. Swimwear is for the sand; walking through a village or into a shop in it causes offence.

Temples: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off, feet never pointed at an image.

Head and feet: do not touch heads, do not point with feet.

Durian is banned in most hotels, on aircraft and in many enclosed public spaces, and the signs are meant seriously.

Drugs carry very severe penalties, and the resort nightlife is policed.

Emergency numbers: 191 for police, 1669 for ambulance, 199 for fire, and the Tourist Police on 1155, which is English-speaking and the right first call for theft, scams or anything needing a report.

Medical. Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Rayong are the main private facilities and will bill against insurance or card. On Ko Chang, the island hospital handles routine cases; anything serious is transferred to Trat or Pattaya by ferry and road, which takes hours.

On the islands, be aware that a night-time medical evacuation may not be possible in rough weather. This is a genuine argument for conservative behaviour on a scooter.

Ferry suspensions during storms are a safety decision; build slack into travel plans before a flight.

At sea, the marine police and coastguard are reached through 191 or 1155.

Embassies are in Bangkok, a few hours away; several countries have honorary consuls in Pattaya.