Services on Koh Lipe

From Loose 2007 by Richard Doring (updated by Karin and Delio 2011)

Money
There are no banks or ATMs on the island. Pooh’s Restaurant, Andaman Resort or Porn Resort offer money exchange. Pooh also changes Traveler's Checks and gives cash advance on credit cards for a fee. Some resorts accept credit cards (ask in advance!).

Immigration
Immigration is located at Bundhaya Resort after arrival and before departure of the speed boat to Malaysia.

Information
Information in the net at www.poohlipe.com, www.kohlipethailand.com, www.webtravelkolipe.net

Internet
In Pooh’s Restaurant (3 Baht/minute), at Lipe Resort (with WiFi 90 Baht/20 minutes) and Andaman Resort (with WiFi 120 Baht/30 minutes).
Mountain Resort: 1 hour/150 Baht.
Many small resorts offer WiFi and there are some internet shops as well.

Medical Health Service
First aid medicine and a qualified nurse is available in the village, emergency cases are transferred to the mainland in 60–90 minutes. Besides there is a Health Station/Hospital on Sunrise Beach.

Motor cycles
Several places offer motorcycle rental. Motorcycle taxis are also occasionally available.

Traveling Season
High season is from November to end of April, after that most bungalow resorts are closed and the boats do not operate.

Taxis
Taxi boats cost 50 Baht, motorcycle taxis charge about 50 Baht, there are no cars on the island.

Telephone
In Pooh’s Restaurant and in the internet shops along Walking Street.

Additional information from Sita Beach Resort website:

ATM / Bank on Koh Lipe:

There is no ATM machine and no Bank. The only way to get cash money on Koh Lipe is a cash advance on your credit card (charge 5 to 10% of this service). Bring enough cash money (Thai Baht) to sustain your stay, in fact, bring a bit more, your plans might change, you might stay longer.

Doctor / hospital on Koh Lipe:

There is a small clinic by government but there usually is no doctor on Koh Lipe. The clinic is located in the village, next to the school. There is a nurse that speaks some English and some very basic first aid medicine.

Water & Electricity:

Koh Lipe does not have a public electricity network. Every place uses generators to produce their own. Some places have electricity 24 hours a day and Sita Beach Resort & Spa also, but most turn it off early in the morning (06.00-09.00 hrs.) and turn it back on again around 17.00 – 18.00 hrs.

Mobile phone signal and Internet Access :

There are 2 mobile phone operator signals on Koh Lipe: Dtac (Dtac - Happy Dpromt) and AIS (AIS and 1-2-call). Both provide roaming service for foreign mobile phones. Both systems tend to be 'overloaded' once in a while so don't panic if you lose reception for a few hours.
Internet is available in several places.
A satellite signal is used to connect to the internet and this results in a higher price. Expect to pay around 200 Baht an hour.

Across the border to Malaysia from Koh Lipe :

Thai Immigration works together with the ferries to Langkawi (Malaysia). It is possible to do an overnight trip to Langkawi in order to get a new 30 or 60 day visa for Thailand (depending on the visa you enter Thailand with). Travelers coming from Langkawi can enter Thailand by taking the ferry to Koh Lipe. You will be taken through the immigration process at Bhundaya Resort.

The seasons on Koh Lipe:

High Season (November - April): Daily ferries connect Koh Lipe to Pakbara, Langkawi, Koh Lanta, Trang, Koh Hai, Koh Muk and Koh Bulon.

Green Season (May - October): Daily ferries round trip only one time per way from Koh Lipe to Pakbara. Most ferries depart from Pakbara.

Peak Season (December - January): Advanced bookings are recommended and the island completely fills up.