Koh Kood Practical Information
Pharmacy
There are two pharmacies on the island: Koh Kood Pharmacy located more or less in the middle of the island. This is also the place to go if you need a new phone, a phone repair or want to buy a thai Simcard.
The second pharmacy is 86.6 Pharmacy located at Klong Chao Bridge. Here you find also a great selection on beauty and skin care products.
Hospital
There's one hospital on Koh Kood. It's good for minor treatments and first aid. However severe cases and anything bigger will be send to the mainland.
If you have to visit the hospital bring your passport and cash money or a card.
You will need to register yourself first, after seeing the doctor and before you go, you'll need to pay and get your prescribed medicine.
Be prepared to get prescribed some antibiotics and Ibuprofen.
Police
In case you wondered: Yes there's a police station on the island. Also police is frequently driving around the island. But that's it about it.
During big holidays, like New Year or Songkran the police sets up check points to remind people to wear helmets and drive sober.
Money
A lot of locals use Prompt Pay besides paying cash.
Card payments are accepted by some, but not by all shops and restaurants.
ATMs
There are 4 ATMs on the island. The two yellow ones are from Krungsri Bank of Ayudhya. The two pink ones are from Government Savings Bank. You will need to pay a fee of 200 THB per withdrawal.
If you withdraw with a foreign card, select "without conversation" this is usually the cheaper option.
However ATMs tend to be empty or out of service, especially if many people withdraw money. Therefore it's advised to arrive with some cash on the island.
Government Savings Bank
The pink Government Savings Bank got a branch on Koh Kood, right next to the stadium. Opening hours are quite limited, usually they are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 15:30.
If you like to exchange money, bring your passport.
Laundry
There are plenty of shops offering laundry service all around the island. Just keep an eye open for a sign "laundry".
Typically it's 60 THB per Kilo and you can pick up your fresh cloths the next day.
However if you're on a tight budget, there are also self service washing machines. Usually you'll be charged 50-60 THB per washing machine. However you need to bring your own washing powder and need to hang up your laundry on your own. You can find self service washing machines at Little 9 cafe, at the T-intersection going to Ao Yai and Ao Phrao and close to Baan Suan Homestay Koh Kood.
Post office
Koh Koods post office is located between ChorChabba Guesthouse and Paradise Divers Koh Kood.
As it doesn't have real opening hours, you just need to try you luck and see if someone is there.
If you're waiting for a letter or a package best bet is to go to the post office and ask for it. It may take a while, but arrive eventually.
Phone Repair
In case your phone gets broken and you want to repair it, or you're looking to buy a thai simcard or even a new phone, visit the phone shop at Koh Kood Pharmacy or the phone shop at close to Kaeng mechanic, a few meters after the gas station.
Mosquitos and Sandflies
One of the assets of staying on a tropical island is the presence of mosquitos and sandflies.
Both of them are most active around sunrise and sunset.
The best protection for mosquitos are long clothes and a fan, as they don't like wind. Another good repellent are mosquito coils, however you'll end up sitting in the smoke. And last but not least, there are sprays either natural or with DEET which you can find almost everywhere on the island, there's no need to bring them with you.
The best repellents for sandflies are coconut oil and repellents with DEET. Everybody reacts different to sandfly bites. If you tend to react a lot to sandfly bites, avoid humid and shady places on beaches, as well as beaches with a lot of trash and cover yourself up.
If you've got bitten already yellow oil offers some relieve.
Monkeys
There are some wild monkey families on the island, which you can spot quite frequently.
Good places to spot them are: At Soi Kasset (the road to Fisherman Hut), just between the PEA (electric station) and the goverment library.
Between Captain Shop and Tolani hill and on the way to Ao Yai, just before the view point.
If you spot some monkeys, stay calm and observe. Most of them are still scared of humans, which is a very good thing.
No matter what you do: Please don't feed the monkeys!
In case they are getting aggressive towards you, usually they indicate this with a wide open mouth and a hissing soud, lower your eyes and slowely back off. Don't look them in the eyes directly, as this is a sign of aggression.
Dogs
As you might notice while visiting Koh Kood, there are many dogs around, each with its own territory. Some dogs have owners, while others are fed by local residents. If you have a heart for dogs, consider supporting Sabai Dog Koh Kood. They take care of many dogs on the island, providing food, medicine, and shelter, and they also offer assistance if you wish to adopt a Koh Kood dog.
If dogs bark at you while you're walking, just continue on your way. In most cases, they are simply marking their territory and will leave you alone once you're out of it. If dogs chase you while you're on a motorbike, slow down or even stop; this usually stops them as they are often just playing a chasing game rather than trying to harm you.