Koh Phangan Emergency Guide: Hospitals, Pharmacies and What to Do in Trouble

If you get injured, develop a high fever, have a motorbike accident, get bitten by a dog, suffer severe sunburn, or face another medical problem in Koh Phangan, this guide summarizes the key emergency contacts and first steps to check. You can quickly find hospitals, pharmacies, and basic guidance by symptom or situation.

Emergency Numbers to Check First

In Thailand, 1669 is the nationwide public emergency medical number. For travelers, 191 and 1155 are also widely used emergency contact numbers.

Important Note

191 / 1669 / 1155 are official emergency numbers used in Thailand.
However, some data-only eSIMs cannot make regular phone calls.

Before traveling, it is safer to check whether your eSIM or SIM card supports voice calls.
If you cannot make a call, be prepared to ask your hotel, nearby people, a restaurant, pharmacy, or hospital reception to call on your behalf.

If You Cannot Make a Phone Call

If you are using a data-only eSIM or cannot place a call, ask a nearby hotel, restaurant, pharmacy, or hospital reception to call for you, ask someone around you for help, or go directly to a hospital by taxi or songthaew if the situation allows.

Find Help by Symptom or Situation

Hospitals and Clinics in Koh Phangan

Here are some medical facilities in Koh Phangan that travelers may want to check first. If your symptoms are serious or you are unsure what to do, avoid waiting too long and contact a medical facility as early as possible.

Facility	Area	Suitable For	Notes	Phone
Phangan International Hospital [Google Map]	Ban Tai	When you want a 24-hour medical option or prefer a facility with more equipment	Open 24 hours	077-429-559
Ocean Medical Clinic [Google Map]	Haad Rin near the Full Moon Party area	Mild to moderate illness, wounds, general consultation, especially around Haad Rin	09:00–24:00, walk-ins accepted	077-374-668
Koh Phangan Hospital [Google Map]	Thong Sala	When you prefer a public hospital or need emergency care	24-hour emergency support	077-377-034

Phangan International Hospital is listed as being located in Ban Tai, open 24 hours, and reachable at 077-429-559. [Google Map]

Ocean Medical Clinic Koh Phangan is one of the closest medical options to the Full Moon Party area.
It is listed with phone number 077-374-668, opening hours 09:00–24:00, and walk-in availability. [Google Map]

Koh Phangan Hospital is a public hospital option in Thong Sala.
For emergencies, 1669 is the key emergency medical number. [Google Map]

How to Choose Where to Go

• Emergency transport, loss of consciousness, heavy bleeding, or a serious accident
  → Call 1669 first
• Fever at night, dehydration, cuts, or a mild accident check-up
  → Ocean Medical Clinic may be an option, especially near Haad Rin
• When you want a 24-hour medical facility
  → Phangan International Hospital may be an option

Cases That May Be Handled at a Pharmacy

For mild sunburn, minor insect bites, bandages, disinfectant, or basic fever and pain medicine, a pharmacy may be a reasonable first stop.

However, in the following cases, do not rely only on a pharmacy. Consider going to a hospital or clinic.

• High fever continues
• The wound is deep
• You were bitten by a dog or another animal
• You are worried about venom, such as from a snake or jellyfish
• You have strong dehydration symptoms
• You hit your head in an accident
• You have difficulty breathing

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Travel Insurance

In Koh Phangan, medical costs can become heavy if a motorbike accident, ambulance transport, IV drip, imaging test, or other treatment is involved.

Some private medical facilities also mention cooperation with many insurance companies and direct billing support.

Before or after visiting a medical facility, check these three things:

1. Have your insurance policy number ready
2. Tell your insurance company the name of the hospital or clinic
3. Confirm whether cashless treatment, direct billing, or reimbursement applies

Motorbike accidents can be especially sensitive for insurance coverage.
Even if you have insurance, the conditions may not cover riding without a valid license, riding under the influence, or riding outside the policy terms.

Motorbike Accident

In Koh Phangan, motorbike accidents can happen because of steep hills, sand, potholes, dark roads, rain, and uneven surfaces.

What to Do First

• Move to a safe place if possible
• Check for bleeding
• Check whether you hit your head
• If you cannot move, have severe pain, or feel confused, call 1669

What Not to Do

• Do not force yourself to ride back as if nothing happened
• Do not ignore bleeding or wounds
• Do not simply wait and see if you hit your head
• Do not dismiss symptoms after drinking alcohol

When to Go to a Hospital

• You hit your head
• You feel dizzy, nauseous, or mentally foggy
• The wound is deep
• You may have a fracture
• There is strong swelling
• You cannot put weight on your arm or leg

High Fever / Possible Dengue

A high fever during a stay in Koh Phangan is one of the symptoms that should not be taken lightly.

What to Do First

• Drink enough water
• Rest in a cool place
• Check your temperature before seeking care if possible
• If the fever is high or you feel very weak, go to a hospital or clinic

What Not to Do

• Do not ignore dehydration
• Do not force yourself to move around with strong symptoms
• Do not continue long outdoor activities

When to Go to a Hospital

• A fever of 38.5°C or higher continues
• You feel extremely weak
• You have strong headache, joint pain, or muscle pain
• You feel nauseous or lose your appetite
• You cannot drink enough fluids

Severe Sunburn

For severe sunburn, the basics are cooling the skin, not rubbing it, and staying hydrated.

What to Do First

• Cool the skin with cool water or a shower
• Do not rub the skin
• Drink extra water
• If symptoms are severe, rest indoors or in the shade

What Not to Do

• Do not peel the skin by force
• Do not pop blisters
• Do not apply thick oil-based products immediately
• Do not expose the area to more strong sunlight

When to Go to a Hospital

• Blisters spread over a wide area
• You have a fever
• You feel dizzy
• You feel nauseous
• The pain is very strong

Dog Bite

There are many dogs in Koh Phangan, and it is better not to approach unfamiliar dogs casually. If you are bitten, do not ignore it even if the wound looks small.

What to Do First

• Wash the wound thoroughly with running water
• If there is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth
• Check how deep the wound is
• Consult a hospital or clinic as soon as possible

What Not to Do

• Do not ignore it because the wound looks small
• Do not leave the wound dirty
• Do not rely only on your own judgment

When to Go to a Hospital

• The skin is broken
• There is bleeding
• The wound becomes swollen
• You do not know the condition of the dog
• You are worried about rabies or infection

Jellyfish Sting

In areas where dangerous jellyfish may appear, warning signs may be displayed. However, you should not assume that lifeguards are always present. If you are stung in the sea, check the severity of the symptoms first.

What to Do First

• Get out of the sea
• If symptoms are strong, ask for help immediately
• If you have difficulty breathing or whole-body symptoms, call 1669

What Not to Do

• Do not rub the affected area strongly
• Do not continue swimming by force
• Do not ignore breathing difficulty

When to Go to a Hospital

• A wide area was stung
• The pain is strong
• You have difficulty breathing
• You feel dizzy
• You feel unwell

Sea Urchin Injury

This is another common type of beach injury. Many beaches in Koh Phangan have rocky areas, so it is possible to step on a sea urchin when walking barefoot. If spines are deep, near a joint, or inflammation is strong, do not insist on handling it yourself.

What to Do First

• Get out of the sea
• Check the injured area
• Rinse off dirt gently
• If the injury is deep, painful, or swollen, go to a hospital or clinic

What Not to Do

• Do not dig out deep spines by force
• Do not keep walking around with the wound dirty
• Do not ignore inflammation

When to Go to a Hospital

• The spine is deeply embedded
• It is near a joint
• Swelling is strong
• You cannot walk
• Pain continues for several days

Snake Bite

Koh Phangan has many jungle areas, so encountering snakes is possible. If there is any chance you were bitten, do not wait too long or rely only on your own judgment.

What to Do First

• Move away from the snake first
• If you were bitten, stay as still as possible
• Contact a medical facility as soon as possible
• If symptoms are serious, call 1669

What Not to Do

• Do not chase the snake
• Do not try to catch it
• Do not cut the wound
• Do not move around intensely

When to Go to a Hospital

• You may have been bitten
• Swelling appears
• The pain is strong
• You feel unwell
• You feel numbness or difficulty breathing

Toothache

If you have dental pain during your stay, there are dental clinics on the island such as Dr Taeng Dental Home and Koh Phangan Dental Clinic.

Dental Clinic Options

Dr Taeng Dental Home
[Google Map]
Phone: 083 969 0754
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 / Sat–Sun closed

Koh Phangan Dental Clinic

[Google Map]
Phone: 091 459 6353
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 16:30–20:30 / Sat–Sun 09:00–20:30

What to Do First

• Avoid chewing hard food on the painful side
• Avoid very cold or very hot stimulation
• If swelling is strong, visit a dental clinic early

When to See a Dentist Soon

• Your face becomes swollen
• The pain is strong enough to disturb sleep
• A crown or filling has come off
• You feel strong inflammation

Things to Have Ready Before Visiting a Medical Facility

• Passport
• Travel insurance policy number
• Information about any regular medication
• Allergy information
• Cash or credit card
• Your hotel address
• Contact information for your travel companion or emergency contact

Medical clinics may ask you to bring your passport, insurance documents, previous medical records, or information about your medication if available.

Final Notes

In Koh Phangan, even a small health issue can become worse because of the tropical climate, heat, humidity, road conditions, or the difficulty of moving around the island.
Even if you feel tempted to wait and see, high fever, deep wounds, animal bites, head injuries, and breathing difficulty should be checked by a medical professional as early as possible.