Internet/Electricity In Koh Phangan

[Hal65]

I am considering a longer term rental in Koh Phangan. Is internet access restricted to cafes there, or do most rental bungalows/apartments have it as well?

Also, are power outages a relatively frequent occurrence?

Thanks

[angiud]

Internet almost everywhere. Most of bungalows too.

Power outages, far less than some parts of Samui

[Hal65]

How are prices for basic perishables? (food, toiletries etc) Or am I going to have to get in a boat for most things?

Edited January 14, 2011 by Delta223

[sbk]

Where will you be living that you think you need a boat to bring in supplies?

[Hal65]

I'm not sure of what's available in Koh Phangan. Wikipedia says the whole island only has a population of 11k so for all I know it could be a very rural living situation

[Tropicalevo]

I'm not sure of what's available in Koh Phangan. Wikipedia says the whole island only has a population of 11k so for all I know it could be a very rural living situation

This is probably the number of registered voters. Most Thais do not register when they move to a different area.

The registered number of people on Samui is just over 50,000. This does not include non registered Thais, illegal workers and tourists/ex-pats. The real number is MUCH higher - same with Koh Phangnan I would guess. eg Koh Samui has approx a million tourists a year. On Average, that is over 80,000 per month. (I do not know where they are staying though!)

You will be able to buy most essentail supplies on the island (plus quite a few non-essential).

[H2oDunc]

I fail to understand how you can be considering a long term rentalin a place you have obviously never visited and know nothing about ? Island life is not for everyone so I would suggest you go and have a short holiday there first before committing yourself to renting long term. Also different parts of the island offer different things. Every month there is a very loud all night party that you may not want to live near.

[angiud]

You will find your "basic perishables (food, toiletries etc)" without take a boat but only a motorbike. KPG receive around 400.000 tourists/year (if I recall right) and you will find more than the basic staff for your life, including a medium sized Tesco, few big supermarket, some deli shop, hospitals, a dentist, 15/20 schools, 10 diving centers, wats, a mosque, some churches and a synagogue. etc etc

[Birdman]

...................The real number is MUCH higher - same with Koh Phangnan I would guess. eg Koh Samui has approx a million tourists a year. On Average, that is over 80,000 per month. (I do not know where they are staying though!)

...............

a million probably with Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. It seems, that OP underestimates the commercialization of Koh Phangan...

[Hal65]

How is mail delivery in the islands? I receive a lot of international mail

[H2oDunc]

Mail comes via BKK to Samui airport and then by ferry to KPG. I really think you need to come and look around before you even think of renting long term. You obviously know nothing of the islands you are intending to stay long term. You may be better renting on the mainland rather than an island. Trying to find somewhere to stay by reading a book or looking on line isn't going to work. It may help to make a short list to visit but not to commit to without first visiting.

[Hal65]

Your responses are clouded with egotism: Its silly to think someone would base a decision on where to live just from what you type. Also, there is nothing wrong with asking basic questions to get an idea of an area.

[angiud]

Mmmm, I do not think I will go to KPG because over there the mail is not working well.

[nocturn]

Your responses are clouded with egotism: Its silly to think someone would base a decision on where to live just from what you type. Also, there is nothing wrong with asking basic questions to get an idea of an area.

what kind of xxxxxx posts a question that blatantly exposes his ignorance regarding an area he apparently wishes to live and then bites the head off of the first realistic piece of advice he recieves?

this question is, by the way, purely rhetorical.

Edited January 20, 2011 by sbk
Flame removed.

[sbk]

Your responses are clouded with egotism: Its silly to think someone would base a decision on where to live just from what you type. Also, there is nothing wrong with asking basic questions to get an idea of an area.

I think your response to dunc's advice is unwarranted and unfair. Basic questions would imply a working knowledge of the place you are going while your questions show a complete lack of knowledge. A little bit of research would show that most the island has electricity and stores. So, for me, basic questions would be more along the lines of rental costs, cost of living and internet connections, things maybe not found quite so easily in basic guidebooks or online.