TIPS - GENERAL INFO

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. At 540 km sq, it's about the same size as Singapore.

Just over an hour's fight from Bangkok or Singapore, and with daily connections to most major Asian airports, Phuket is ideally situated for a short break or a relaxing vacation.

Business Hours - generally 9am to 5pm, weekdays, and 9am to 12 noon on Saturdays, except Public Holidays when hours may vary. Shops and local stores open from 10 or 11am to 10pm, daily.

Banking hours - Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3.30pm. Some branches, including those located in shopping centres, are open as late as 7-8pm and on Saturdays. Currency exchange booths are usually open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Twenty-four-hour ATMs are widely available, and most accept cards using international banking networks such as Cirrus or Plus

Cameras and Photo Processing - Most major brands of film and digital memory cards can be bought in Phuket. Film and digital photo processing is widely available and 2-hour service is common. Throw-away one-time cameras are widely available, too.

Electricity - 220 Volts. Several different plugs and sockets are in use, but two pin flat (US type) or round (European type) are pretty universal. Adapters can be bought at local stores.

Telecommunications / Internet

Most hotels can provide telephone and fax services. Public phones are not the greatest choice for making long distance or overseas calls - easier to make your calls from one of the many business centres that offer this service or do it from your hotel.
Most overseas mobile phones can be used here by purchasing a local SIM card, which costs less than 900 Baht. Otherwise, check with the service provider in your home country about international roaming before you leave. It's also possible to buy a mobile phone in Phuket for as little as 2,000 Baht and use a pay-as-you-go service such as One-2-Call or DPrompt.

Mobile phone stands - Long distance or overseas calls can also be made for a fixed price per 5 minutes from roadside stands often set up outside convenience stores. Local calls can easily be made from public phones but you will need to check whether it's a card or coin phone. Telephone cards are available from various places such as 7-Eleven, some stationery stores, the Post Office and telephone authority offices.

Internet cafes are located in all the main tourist areas and offer reasonable rates. You can also check your email in the telecommunications office in Phuket town. Many hotels have an Internet service, but it can be expensive. There are a few wi-fi hotspots on the island, including Starbucks in Patong and The Books in Phuket town.

Phuket Postal Services

Post Office locations:

Phuket Town, main Post Office on Montri Road, just north of Phang Nga Rd.
Patong - Rat-U-Thit Road, next to the Patong Palace Hotel at the northern end of Patong. Smaller branches also along the main roads in Karon, Chalong and Kamala.

Opening hours: 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday-Friday. 9am-noon Saturday.

Urgent or important items can be sent by EMS services. Private couriers like DHL are also available. You can send postcards and regular size letters from the reception at most major hotels around the island.

Important Phone Numbers

Police		191
Tourist Police		1699 or 076 214 368
Ambulance		076 254 425 /210 935
Bangkok-Phuket Hospital		076 254 421
Patong/Kathu Hospital		076 340 444, 342 633
Phuket International Hospital		076 249 400
Hyperbaric Services Thailand		076 342 518/9; 09 871 2335
Customs		076 211 105
Harbour Master		076 391 174
Tours & Travel Reservations Centre		01 737 0860
Immigration Authority		076 212 108

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