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Banks & ATMs
There are 2 main banks on Koh Tao that provide most banking services and international money transfers like Western Union. With plenty of ATMs scattered all over Mae Haad, Chalok Baan Kao and Sairee you can access your cash with ease. Most of the travel agents around the island change currency and travellers cheques at a few baht more then the daily rates too.
Post Office
Koh Tao has 1 privately run post office, which is also used as the general postal address for residents and visitors alike. Mail is sorted alphabetically and finding your post is then up to you. Send and receive packages (dont forget to bring your passport or ID when collecting parcels), pay your bills or purchase stationary and postal supplies. Healthcare
Koh Tao has a medical centre, a number of clinics and nursing stations, a fully operational Hyperbaric Chamber, an evacuation service centre, a permanent Doctor and a number of fully trained nurses and medics, not to mention that all divers from Divemaster level and above have to be medically trained - so in any event you are pretty much safe and in good hands. Hairdressers
Blow, cut, colour, dry, perm, straighten or shave - for men and women, as on Koh Tao they do it all. There are numerous salons, barbers and hairdressers scattered around the island offering the full range of services for hair, nails, skin, waxing, extensions and other beautification requirements and the prices are much more reasonable then back home too. Vehicle Rentals & Mechanics
There are many bike rental facilities, gasoline refill stations and mechanics on the island, so you can rent many different types of motorbike or quadrunner (no licence needed) to get you around Koh Tao and as long as you stick to the main roads and drive safely you will be just fine. Jeeps are now available for rent as well which are perfect if you know how to drive, actually have a licence and can handle a vehicle on bad roads. A wise word of warning; always check every part of any rental for damage and mark every scratch down as you don't want to get charged for damage you haven't caused. The costs for damaged vehicles are high and the rental agencies will not hesitate to over charge you either. A passport is normally asked for as a deposit but also to ensure that you don't leave the island without paying your bill.
Others
Most things that need servicing or fixing can be taken care of right here; from a full range of tank & diving equipment services to electrical technicalities. The island offers builders, electricians, plumbers, printers, seamstresses, tailors, jewellers and just about anything else you could think of too. Internet Access
Broadband internet access is now available all across the island and GPRS too, if you have a mobile phone that allows you to connect your PC. Either bring your own laptop to use or pay the rate for public access computers found in the numerous internet cafes. If you do have your own laptop with wireless access then using Turtlespot Wi-Fi allows you to access the www.kohtao.asia site free of charge. You can purchase top-up, weekly or monthly pre-paid Turtlespot access cards or subscribe monthly if you are a long-term resident.
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Services
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