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Koh Phangan is a popular tourist island
in Thailand, famous for its beaches, Full Moon Parties and natural beauty.
However, as in any other place, there may be emergency situations that require
immediate medical attention or rescue services.
It is important for tourists and locals
to know emergency numbers, the location of the nearest medical facilities, and
the specifics of providing assistance on the island in advance. Koh Phangan is
a relatively small island, and in the case of serious injuries or complex
illnesses, it may be necessary to transport the patient to larger hospitals in
Koh Samui or Bangkok.
This article contains up-to-date
information on emergency assistance on the island: contacts of rescue services,
hospitals, pharmacies and recommendations for actions in emergency situations.
Emergency phone numbers
In case of emergency situations on Koh
Phangan, you can contact various helplines. It is important to remember that
not all operators speak English, so it is advisable to explain the situation
clearly and simply.
●
General emergency number: 191 – a
universal number that can be used to call the police, ambulance or fire
department.
●
Ambulance and rescue service: 1669
– emergency medical care available 24/7.
●
Tourist police: 1155 – special
service to help foreigners (staff speak English).
●
Fire service: 199 – to call the
fire brigade in case of fire.
●
Police: 123, 1644 – for calls
related to security, theft and road accidents.
It is recommended that you save these
numbers in your phone before your trip so that you can quickly call for help in
case of an emergency.
Medical facilities in Koh Phangan
There are several medical facilities on
Koh Phangan that provide emergency and elective care. However, if a patient's
condition requires complex medical intervention, they may be referred to
hospitals on the neighboring island of Koh Samui or Bangkok.
Phangan International Hospital
Phangan International Hospital is one of
the best private hospitals on the island, offering a wide range of medical
services. The hospital is aimed at tourists and expats, the staff speaks
English, and the level of equipment meets international standards.
Here you can get emergency medical care,
undergo diagnostics and treatment, as well as use the services of a dentist,
dermatologist and other specialists. The clinic has its own resuscitation unit
and the ability to evacuate patients to larger hospitals if necessary.
📍 Contact details:
📞 Phone: 077 429 559
📍 Address: Thongsala, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, Thailand
First Western Hospital
First Western Hospital is another private
clinic focused on serving international patients. The clinic provides qualified
care for injuries, infections, chronic diseases, and rehabilitation services.
The facility is equipped with modern
diagnostic and treatment equipment. Laboratory tests, vaccinations and
outpatient treatment are carried out here. In case of serious conditions,
medical evacuation to Samui or Bangkok is organized.
📍 Contact details:
📞 Phone: 077 377 474
📍 Address: Thongsala, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, Thailand
Ocean Medical Clinic
Ocean Medical Clinic is a small private
clinic specializing in primary health care. Here you can get a doctor's
consultation, undergo an examination, get a bandage or vaccination. The clinic
also provides assistance with minor injuries and infectious diseases.
The main advantage of the clinic is its
convenient location and accessibility for tourists living in the Haad Rin area.
📍 Contact details:
📞 Phone: +66 92 397 6636
📍 Address: Haad Rin, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, Thailand
Phangan Hospital
Phangan Hospital is a government hospital
providing medical care to locals and tourists. It provides basic medical
services including diagnosis, treatment of injuries, infectious diseases and
surgery.
Public hospitals in Thailand offer more
affordable prices, but the level of comfort and speed of service may differ
from private clinics. Phangan Hospital may have queues, and not all staff speak
fluent English.
📍 Contact information:
📞 Phone: information is being confirmed
📍 Address: Thongsala, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, Thailand
These hospitals and clinics are the main
medical institutions on Koh Phangan. To receive quality medical care, it is
recommended to check in advance which of them work with international insurance
and have contact information with you.
Cost of medical services and the need
for insurance
Medical services on Koh Phangan can be
quite expensive, especially if complex treatment or hospitalization is
required. Without insurance, even a simple visit to a private clinic will cost
a significant amount.
Approximate prices for medical services
on the island:
●
Calling an ambulance (without a
doctor) – 2000 baht;
●
Consultation with a therapist –
1200 baht;
●
Ultrasound – 2000 baht;
●
MRI – from 28,000 baht;
●
Two days in hospital – 30,000
baht;
●
Leg surgery after falling off a
bike - from 250,000 baht.
Prices may vary depending on the clinic
and the complexity of the case. Private hospitals offer a higher level of
service, but the cost of treatment is higher. In public hospitals, services are
cheaper, but the waiting time may be longer.
For tourists and expats, it is
recommended to take out medical insurance with coverage of at least 3,500,000
baht. This will provide protection in the event of serious injury,
hospitalization or emergency evacuation.
When choosing insurance, it is important
to consider:
●
coverage for emergency medical
care and hospitalization;
●
the possibility of treatment in
private clinics;
●
covering transportation to larger
medical centers;
●
no franchise or its minimum size.
Popular insurers for travelers to
Thailand include Allianz, Cigna, Luma, Pacific Cross. Before your trip, it is
worth checking which hospitals accept your chosen insurance to avoid problems
when seeking medical care.
Pharmacies on Koh Phangan
There are several pharmacies on Koh
Phangan where you can buy basic medications as well as prescription drugs.
The main pharmacies on the island are
located in Thongsala (the central area) and Haad Rin (a popular tourist area).
Pharmacy opening hours
●
Pharmacies in tourist areas are
open daily from 08:00 to 22:00.
●
24-hour pharmacies are rare, so it
is recommended to purchase important medications in advance.
Tips for Purchasing Medicines
●
Most common medications can be
purchased without a prescription, but antibiotics and strong drugs require a
doctor's prescription.
●
Medicines in Thailand are often
sold under different names, so it is better to know the active ingredient of
the drug.
●
If specific treatment is required,
it is worth stocking up on the necessary medications in advance, as the small
pharmacies on Koh Phangan may not have rare drugs.
Recommendations for action in emergency
situations
In an emergency, it is important to act
quickly and correctly to minimize health risks.
Algorithm of
actions in an emergency situation
- Assess the situation - if the person is conscious, check his condition.
If not - call for help immediately.
- Call
emergency services:
○
1669 – emergency medical care;
○
191 – general emergency number;
○
1155 – tourist police (if the
situation involves foreign citizens).
- Explain the
situation clearly - state what happened, how many people are injured and
where you are.
- Provide
first aid if necessary - if you have basic first aid skills, act while
waiting for medical help.
- Prepare
documents - passport, insurance policy and contact information. This will
speed up the process of providing assistance at the hospital.
- Wait for medical assistance - do not attempt to transport a
seriously injured person without consulting a doctor.
Tips for
communicating with local emergency services
●
Keep your communication brief and
clear – many operators only speak basic English.
●
Please indicate your location as
precisely as possible - use Google Maps or nearby landmarks.
●
Write down emergency contact
numbers in your phone in advance so as not to waste time in a critical
situation.
Conclusion
Koh Phangan is a great place to relax,
but in case of an emergency, it is important to know where to go for help.
Medical services on the island are provided by both public and private clinics,
with private hospitals providing a higher level of service, but their services
are more expensive.
Lack of insurance can lead to significant
expenses, as the prices for medical care in Thailand are quite high. It is
recommended to take out a policy with coverage of at least 3,500,000 baht in
advance in order to receive quality treatment without financial losses if
necessary.
Pharmacies on Koh Phangan are available
in tourist areas, but are not always open 24 hours. Tourists should take care
of the necessary medications in advance.
Emergency services on the island work
quickly, but when calling for help, it is important to be prepared to explain
the situation and your location. Have emergency, police and tourist service
contact numbers handy so that you can respond quickly if necessary.
Knowing all these nuances will help you
protect yourself during your trip and get the necessary medical care without
unnecessary complications.
