Ko Pha-Ngan Practical information

Health & safety

Dangers & annoyances

Doing drugs in Thailand is risky. Among other things it could land you in the mental ward. Over the past five years Suan Saranrom (Garden of Joys) psychiatric hospital in Surat Thai has to take on extra staff during full-moon periods to handle the number of travellers who freak out on magic mushrooms, acid or other abundantly available hallucinogens.

Those who come specifically seeking an organic buzz should take note: a hallucinogenic plant, newly exploited on the island, has caused a number of travellers to pay an unscheduled visit to the local psychiatric hospital. Called ton lamphong in Thai, the plant is possibly related to datura, a member of the highly toxic nightshade family. Eating any part of the plant causes some people to be completely out of it for a couple of days.

Sampling the local herb could turn equally scary. There are constant reports of travellers being offered and sold marijuana and other drugs by restaurant or bungalow owners, and then being promptly busted by police officers who somehow know exactly, who, when and where to check.

The Thai government’s war on drugs is no joke, and the police take it extremely seriously. There is a good chance that you could go to jail for more than just a few days for even possessing half a joint. Once in jail, you won’t necessarily be able to count on your embassy, your daddy or even bribery to get you out. You’ll probably have to wait in the cell until your paperwork creeps its way to the top before anything even starts to happen.

Police road blocks between Thong Sala and Hat Rin are becoming more common, especially in the week leading up to the Full Moon party on Hat Rin. These aren’t cursory checks either; if you’re on a motorcycle, the police look in the fuel tank, check the tyres and search all your gear.

As elsewhere in Thailand, riding motorcycles in Ko Pha-Ngan can be dangerous. Roads are hilly, narrow and unpaved in portions.