Beach Safety in Thailand: Currents, Jellyfish & What Lifeguards Won't Tell You (2026)

Thailand's beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. Powder-white sand, warm turquoise water, limestone karsts rising from the sea — it's everything the postcards promise. But those same stunning beaches have a serious problem that most travel blogs skip over: people drown here regularly.

Thailand consistently ranks among the countries with the highest tourist drowning rates in Southeast Asia. The combination of powerful rip currents, minimal lifeguard coverage, inconsistent warning systems, and tourists who swim after drinking creates a deadly equation every year.

This isn't meant to scare you away from swimming. It's meant to make sure you come home. The risks are manageable if you understand them. Most drownings are preventable. Here's everything the glossy travel content doesn't tell you.

The Drowning Problem: Honest Numbers

The statistics are sobering:

Thailand averages 100+ tourist drownings per year according to compiled embassy reports and hospital data
Phuket alone records 20-30 drowning deaths annually, with hundreds more non-fatal incidents
The monsoon season (May-October on the Andaman coast) accounts for the vast majority of drownings
Alcohol is a factor in an estimated 40-60% of tourist drowning incidents
Many victims are strong swimmers — rip currents don't care about your swimming ability

These numbers are almost certainly underreported. Many near-drowning incidents (pulled from the water, resuscitated) don't make official statistics, and some drownings in remote areas are attributed to other causes.

Who's most at risk:

Tourists who don't recognize rip currents
Swimmers during monsoon season who ignore (or can't see) warning flags
People swimming under the influence of alcohol
Rock jumpers and cliff divers
Night swimmers
Strong swimmers who overestimate their ability against ocean currents

Rip Currents: The Number One Killer

What Is a Rip Current?

A rip current (sometimes incorrectly called a "riptide") is a narrow, powerful channel of water flowing from the shore back out to sea. They form when waves push water toward the shore, and that water needs a path back out. Rip currents are that path.

Key facts:

Rip currents can flow at 4-8 km/h — faster than an Olympic swimmer
They're typically 10-30 meters wide and can extend 100+ meters from shore
They pull you OUT, not UNDER — you won't be sucked down, but you will be pulled beyond your depth
They are invisible to untrained eyes from the beach (more on spotting them below)
They form at the same spots repeatedly — beaches known for rip currents have them in the same areas daily

How to Spot a Rip Current

From the beach, look for:

A gap in breaking waves — Where waves aren't breaking, water is flowing out through a channel
Discolored water extending from the shore — Sediment being dragged out creates a murky or brown streak
Choppy, agitated water in an otherwise calm area
Foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward
A channel of calm-looking water between breaking waves — This is counterintuitive. The calm spot is often the most dangerous spot.

From elevated ground (if available), rip currents are much easier to see. Before swimming at any unfamiliar beach, try to view it from a high point first.

What to Do If Caught in a Rip Current

The survival technique is simple but counterintuitive:

Don't panic. The rip current will not pull you under. You will float.
Don't swim directly toward shore. You are fighting a current stronger than you. You will exhaust yourself and drown.
Swim PARALLEL to the shore. Rip currents are narrow (10-30 meters). Swimming sideways takes you out of the current.
Once free of the current, swim at an angle back to shore.
If you can't swim out of it, float on your back and ride it out. Rip currents lose power past the breakers. Once it weakens, swim diagonally back to shore.
If you can, wave one arm and call for help. Do this while floating, not while exhausting yourself swimming against the current.

Practice this mentally before you swim. In an actual rip current, panic sets in fast, and your body's instinct is to swim straight toward shore. Override that instinct.

Rip Current High-Risk Beaches

| Beach | Province | Rip Current Risk | Worst Season | Notes | |-------|----------|------------------|--------------|-------| | Karon Beach | Phuket | Very high | May-October | Multiple drownings annually. Strong undertow. | | Kata Beach | Phuket | High | May-October | Rip currents form between the rocky sections | | Nai Harn Beach | Phuket | High | May-October | Deep drop-off close to shore | | Surin Beach | Phuket | Very high | May-October | Steep beach, powerful waves during monsoon | | Kamala Beach | Phuket | High | May-October | Less obvious currents — deceptively dangerous | | Lamai Beach | Koh Samui | Moderate-high | October-December | Rougher than Chaweng, fewer swimmers | | Haad Rin | Koh Phangan | Moderate | October-December | Currents during Full Moon Party nights | | Railay Beach | Krabi | Low-moderate | May-October | Generally sheltered, but monsoon changes things | | Koh Lanta (west coast) | Krabi | High | May-October | Long beaches with rip current channels | | Ao Nang | Krabi | Moderate | May-October | Sandy bottom, moderate waves |

The Warning Flag System (And Why It's Unreliable)

The System

Thailand uses the international beach flag system:

| Flag | Meaning | |------|---------| | Green | Safe swimming conditions | | Yellow | Caution — moderate waves/currents, swim with care | | Red | Danger — do not swim | | Red and yellow (diagonal) | Patrolled area — swim between these flags | | No flag | ??? |

The Problem

Many beaches have NO flags at all. The absence of a red flag does NOT mean the water is safe. It may simply mean:

There's no lifeguard service at that beach
The flags were destroyed in a storm and not replaced
The flag system was never implemented
It's a beach in a national park with minimal infrastructure

The flag to worry about most is the one that isn't there.

On beaches without flags, you must judge conditions yourself:

Watch the water for 5-10 minutes before entering
Look for the rip current signs described above
Ask locals or your accommodation staff about current conditions
Check the surf forecast (apps like Windguru or Magic Seaweed cover Thai beaches)
If waves look bigger than waist-high and you're not an experienced ocean swimmer, don't go in

Jellyfish: Species, Seasons, and What to Do

Box Jellyfish (แมงกะพรุนกล่อง, Maeng Kaphrun Klong)

The one you need to take seriously. Box jellyfish (Chironex and Chiropsalmus species) are found in Thai waters and their stings can be fatal.

Where: Primarily Gulf of Thailand coast — Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Hua Hin, Chumphon, Surat Thani Province

When: October through April (highest concentration November-March). The monsoon season brings them closer to shore.

Appearance: Transparent/pale blue, box-shaped bell up to 20cm across, with up to 15 tentacles trailing up to 3 meters. Nearly invisible in the water.

Sting severity:

Minor sting (short tentacle contact): Intense pain, red welts, scarring. Treatable on the beach.
Major sting (multiple tentacle contact): Cardiac arrest possible within minutes. Fatal cases have been recorded in Thai waters, including tourist deaths on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

First aid for box jellyfish sting:

Exit the water immediately
Pour vinegar on the sting area — Vinegar (น้ำส้มสายชู) deactivates unfired stinging cells. Many at-risk beaches have vinegar stations posted on the beach.
Do NOT use fresh water, urine, or alcohol — These can trigger unfired stinging cells to release more venom
Remove tentacles carefully using tweezers, a stick, or gloved hands. Never with bare fingers.
If the person shows signs of severe reaction (difficulty breathing, heart irregularities, collapse): Call 1669 immediately. Begin CPR if needed.
Get to a hospital — Anti-venom is available at major hospitals in Koh Samui and Surat Thani

Prevention:

Wear a lycra rash guard or stinger suit when swimming during box jellyfish season
Check for warning signs posted on the beach
Ask your accommodation about recent sightings
Avoid swimming at dawn and dusk when jellyfish are more active near shore
Shuffle your feet when wading (this is more for stingrays, but applies generally)

Portuguese Man-of-War (แมงกะพรุนไฟ, Maeng Kaphrun Fai)

Not technically a jellyfish (it's a colonial organism), but it stings like one.

Where: Both Andaman and Gulf coasts, often washed up on beaches during and after monsoon

When: Year-round but most common during monsoon months (May-October Andaman, October-January Gulf)

Appearance: Blue/purple gas-filled float (looks like a plastic bag on the water surface), with tentacles trailing up to 10+ meters underwater

Sting: Extremely painful, leaves red welts. Rarely fatal in adults but can cause anaphylactic shock in allergic individuals.

First aid: Same as box jellyfish — vinegar first, then carefully remove tentacles. Seek medical attention for severe reactions.

Important: Dead Man-of-War washed up on the beach can still sting. Don't touch them. Don't let children poke them with sticks (the sting mechanism fires mechanically).

Common Jellyfish

Various species of less dangerous jellyfish are common in Thai waters year-round. Their stings are painful but not life-threatening:

Moon jellyfish (white/translucent, saucer-shaped) — Mild sting, more irritation than pain
Various small transparent jellyfish — Annoying but not dangerous

First aid for minor stings: Vinegar, then hot water (as hot as you can stand) on the sting area for 20-30 minutes. Over-the-counter antihistamines help with itching and swelling.

Jellyfish Season Calendar

| Coast | High-Risk Months | Peak Month | Dominant Species | |-------|------------------|------------|------------------| | Gulf (Koh Samui side) | Oct-Apr | Dec-Jan | Box jellyfish, Man-of-War | | Andaman (Phuket side) | May-Oct | Jul-Aug | Man-of-War, common jellyfish | | Eastern (Koh Chang) | Oct-Feb | Nov-Dec | Various, lower risk overall |

Other Marine Hazards

Stonefish and Scorpionfish

Stonefish are the world's most venomous fish. They sit camouflaged on the bottom in shallow, rocky areas. Stepping on one delivers excruciating pain and requires hospital treatment.

Where: Rocky areas, coral reefs, shallow waters near rocks — Koh Tao, Koh Lipe, Similan Islands, Phi Phi

Prevention: Wear water shoes (reef shoes) when walking on rocky or coral-covered areas. Never walk barefoot on reef flats.

First aid: Immerse the foot in the hottest water you can tolerate (not boiling — aim for 45°C). The heat breaks down the venom protein. Get to a hospital for anti-venom and pain management.

Sea Urchins (เม่นทะเล, Men Thale)

Black spiny sea urchins are common on rocky areas and around coral.

Where: Any rocky shoreline, particularly Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, Railay

Prevention: Water shoes. Watch where you put your hands and feet when snorkeling.

Treatment: Remove visible spines with tweezers. For deeply embedded spines, soak the area in vinegar to help dissolve them. If spines break off under the skin, see a doctor — infection is the main risk.

Coral Cuts

Coral cuts are common among snorkelers and divers. They heal slowly because coral often breaks off in the wound and causes infection.

Treatment:

Clean thoroughly with fresh water and antiseptic
Remove all visible coral fragments with tweezers
Apply antibiotic ointment
Monitor for infection (redness, swelling, pus) — coral wound infections are common in tropical waters
Cover with waterproof bandages when swimming

Stingrays

Found in shallow sandy areas, particularly near river mouths.

Prevention: The "stingray shuffle" — shuffle your feet along the bottom rather than stepping down. This gives the ray time to move away.

First aid: Hot water immersion (same as stonefish). Seek medical attention — the barb can break off in the wound.

Monsoon Swimming: When the Rules Change

What Changes During Monsoon

Thailand has two monsoon seasons affecting different coasts:

Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta):

Monsoon: May to October
Massive wave increase, powerful rip currents form
Many beaches become genuinely dangerous for swimming
Red flags posted on major beaches (where lifeguard services exist)
Some smaller beaches become completely unsuitable for swimming

Gulf Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao):

Monsoon: October to December (shorter, less intense than Andaman)
Wave height increases, rip currents form
Generally less dramatic than Andaman monsoon
Still significantly more dangerous than dry season

This is the single most important seasonal distinction for beach safety. The same beach that's calm and safe in February can have 3-meter waves and deadly currents in July.

Safe Swimming During Monsoon

Swim only at beaches with active lifeguard patrols
Never swim alone during monsoon season
Stay close to shore — if you can't touch the bottom, you're too far out
Watch the water before entering — 10 minutes of observation tells you a lot
If locals aren't swimming, you shouldn't be either
East-facing beaches on the Andaman coast are often more sheltered during monsoon
Hotel swimming pools exist for a reason during monsoon season

Monsoon-Safe Beach Alternatives by Region

Phuket (May-October monsoon):

Panwa Beach (southeast coast, sheltered)
Ao Yon (southeast, calm)
Paradise Beach (somewhat sheltered)
Best option: Hotel pool or east-coast beaches

Krabi (May-October monsoon):

Ao Nang is more sheltered than west-facing open beaches
Emerald Pool and hot springs (inland alternatives)

Koh Samui (October-December monsoon):

Bophut Beach (north coast, usually calmer)
Maenam Beach (north coast, more sheltered)
Chaweng during calm days (stay close to shore)

Rock Jumping and Cliff Diving

Thailand's coastline has dozens of popular cliff jumping spots. Every year, tourists are seriously injured or killed at these spots.

The Risks

Unknown depth. Water depth changes with tides. What was 4 meters deep at high tide might be 1.5 meters at low tide.
Submerged rocks. You can't see what's below the surface. Locals who jump regularly know the safe spots — tourists don't.
Alcohol. Most cliff jumping injuries involve alcohol. Your judgment, coordination, and reaction time are all impaired.
Spinal injuries. Landing wrong from even 3-4 meters can cause spinal compression or fractures.
Impact injuries. At heights above 10 meters, hitting water is similar to hitting a soft solid. Broken bones, ruptured organs, and unconsciousness leading to drowning are all documented.

High-Risk Jumping Spots

| Location | Height | Specific Risk | |----------|--------|---------------| | Koh Samui (various) | 5-15m | Variable depth, rocky bottom at some spots | | Koh Phangan (Bottle Beach cliffs) | 8-12m | Remote location, limited medical access | | Railay (Phra Nang area) | 3-10m | Limestone = sharp on impact | | Koh Tao (Tanote Bay) | 5-8m | Reef below at low tide | | Phi Phi (Monkey Beach cliffs) | 3-8m | Tourist boats passing below |

If You're Going to Jump

Watch locals jump first to identify safe entry points
Check the depth yourself by swimming to the landing area first
Check the tide — jumping at high tide is safer than low tide
Never jump head first. Always feet first, arms crossed on your chest.
Don't jump if you've been drinking. Full stop.
Have a buddy in the water in case something goes wrong.
Know that nobody will rescue you quickly at most of these spots. There are no lifeguards at cliff jumping locations.

Alcohol and Swimming

This needs its own section because it's the leading contributing factor in tourist drownings in Thailand.

The facts:

Alcohol impairs your judgment about water conditions
Alcohol impairs your swimming ability and endurance
Alcohol reduces your ability to feel cold, leading to hypothermia in extended swims (even in tropical water)
Alcohol increases the risk of cardiac events in water
Studies estimate 40-60% of adult drownings worldwide involve alcohol

Thailand-specific risk factors:

Beach bars serve drinks directly on the sand — the water is right there
Bucket drinks on party islands contain more alcohol than you think
Night swimming after beach parties is a documented killer (Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi)
The warm water and holiday atmosphere create a false sense of safety

The rule is simple: If you've been drinking, don't swim. Not "be careful swimming." Don't swim.

Night Swimming

Just don't. Night swimming in Thailand is responsible for a disproportionate number of drowning deaths.

Why it's so dangerous:

You cannot see rip currents, waves, or obstacles
Nobody on shore can see you if you're in trouble
Disorientation is common — you can swim toward open ocean thinking you're heading for shore
Jellyfish are more active near shore at night
Boat traffic may not see you
If you need rescue, response time is dramatically longer in darkness

If you must be in water at night (hot springs, hotel pool, supervised beach area): Stay in shallow water, stay with a group, and stay sober.

Boat Safety Near Swimming Areas

In Thailand, the separation between swimming areas and boat traffic zones is often poor or nonexistent.

Risks:

Longtail boats operate close to shore at many beaches
Speedboats for parasailing and island transfers accelerate near swimming areas
Jet skis (often rented to inexperienced tourists) are a particular hazard
Propeller injuries from boats are documented at popular beaches

Protection:

Swim within designated swimming zones where they exist (marked by buoys)
Stay alert for boat engine sounds while in the water
Don't swim in areas where boats are loading/unloading passengers
If snorkeling, use a dive flag or bright snorkel so boats can see you
At beaches where boats operate close to shore (Phi Phi, Ao Nang pier area), be especially vigilant

Beach-Specific Safety Ratings

| Beach | Overall Safety | Lifeguards? | Rip Currents | Jellyfish Risk | Best Season | |-------|---------------|-------------|--------------|----------------|-------------| | Patong (Phuket) | Moderate | Yes (seasonal) | Moderate-High (monsoon) | Low | Nov-Apr | | Karon (Phuket) | Low during monsoon | Limited | Very High (monsoon) | Low | Nov-Apr | | Kata (Phuket) | Moderate | Yes (seasonal) | High (monsoon) | Low | Nov-Apr | | Railay (Krabi) | Good (dry season) | No | Low-Moderate | Low | Nov-Apr | | Ao Nang (Krabi) | Good | No | Moderate (monsoon) | Low | Nov-Apr | | Chaweng (Koh Samui) | Good | Limited | Moderate (Nov-Dec) | Moderate (Oct-Apr) | Feb-Sep | | Lamai (Koh Samui) | Moderate | No | Moderate-High (Nov-Dec) | Moderate (Oct-Apr) | Feb-Sep | | Haad Rin (Koh Phangan) | Moderate | No (party medics during FM) | Moderate | Moderate (Oct-Apr) | Feb-Sep | | Sairee (Koh Tao) | Good | No | Low | Low | Feb-Sep | | Long Beach (Koh Lanta) | Moderate | No | High (monsoon) | Low | Nov-Apr | | Koh Lipe (sunrise) | Good | No | Low | Low | Nov-Apr | | White Sand Beach (Koh Chang) | Good | No | Low-Moderate | Low | Nov-May |

Rating key:

Good: Generally safe for competent swimmers in the recommended season
Moderate: Safe with awareness and caution; currents possible
Low during monsoon: Genuinely dangerous during monsoon months; swim with extreme caution or not at all

Where to Get Beach Safety Info Locally

Your accommodation staff — They know the local beaches and current conditions. Ask: "Is it safe to swim today?"
Other travelers — Especially those who have been at the beach for a few days
Local dive shops — They know the water conditions better than anyone
Lifeguard stations (where they exist) — Some beaches have information boards
National park offices — Beaches within national parks (Koh Similan, Mu Ko Ang Thong, etc.) often have safety information and sometimes restrict swimming during dangerous periods
Wind/surf apps: Windguru, Magic Seaweed, and Windy.com all cover Thai beaches with wave height, wind speed, and current data

Emergency Response: What Happens If Someone Is Drowning

If You See Someone in Trouble

Call 1669 (emergency medical) immediately
Alert anyone nearby — lifeguards, boat operators, other swimmers
Throw a flotation device if available (look for life rings on the beach or pier)
Do NOT attempt a swimming rescue unless you are a trained lifeguard. Drowning people grab rescuers in panic and pull them under. More people drown attempting rescues than you'd think.
If you must enter the water, bring something for the victim to grab (towel, boogie board, rope) so they don't grab you directly.

If You're Pulled From the Water

Even if you feel "fine" after a near-drowning, go to a hospital. Secondary drowning (fluid in the lungs causing problems hours later) is a real phenomenon.
Symptoms to watch for in the 24 hours after a water incident: coughing, difficulty breathing, fatigue, confusion, chest pain.

Beach Safety Checklist

Before swimming at any beach in Thailand:

[ ] Check the season (Am I on the monsoon coast right now?)
[ ] Look for warning flags (Red = stay out)
[ ] Watch the water for 5-10 minutes before entering
[ ] Look for rip current signs (channels, discolored water, foam moving seaward)
[ ] Ask locals or accommodation staff about conditions
[ ] Check if lifeguards are present
[ ] Swim with a buddy
[ ] Stay sober
[ ] Don't swim at night
[ ] Know where the nearest hospital is

These 10 steps take 15 minutes and could save your life. The water will still be there when you've done your homework.

Summary

Thailand's beaches are stunning and the vast majority of beach days end with nothing worse than a sunburn. But the ocean here demands respect, particularly during monsoon season and on the Andaman coast.

The three things that kill tourists in Thai waters are: rip currents they didn't see, alcohol that impaired their judgment, and the belief that a beautiful beach is a safe beach. Now you know better.

Swim smart, stay sober in the water, respect the flags (and the absence of flags), and check the jellyfish calendar before wading in during Gulf coast visits between October and April. Do all that, and you'll join the millions of travelers who swim safely in Thailand every year.

Snorkeling Safety

Snorkeling is one of Thailand's top activities, available at nearly every beach destination. But snorkeling has its own hazards that differ from swimming.

Common Snorkeling Risks

Exhaustion: Snorkeling is more tiring than most people expect. Swimming with fins against current, combined with breathing through a snorkel, leads to faster fatigue. Solo snorkelers who swim too far out and become exhausted are at serious risk.

Sunburn: Your back is fully exposed to the sun for hours while you float face-down. This is the most common snorkeling injury in Thailand — severe sunburn across the back, backs of legs, and back of the neck.

Prevention: Wear a rash guard or t-shirt. Apply waterproof SPF 50+ sunscreen to all exposed skin. Reapply every 60-90 minutes, even with "waterproof" sunscreen.

Equipment malfunction: Rental snorkels and masks at Thai beaches vary from excellent to terrible. A leaking mask or blocked snorkel can cause panic in the water.

Before renting:

Test the mask fit — press it to your face without the strap. If it stays with gentle suction, it fits.
Check the snorkel valve — blow through it to confirm it's clear
Check the fins — ensure the strap is intact and they fit securely
Rental cost: ฿100-300 for mask/snorkel/fins set

Snorkeling Location Safety

| Location | Conditions | Current Risk | Best For | |----------|-----------|-------------|----------| | Koh Tao (various bays) | Calm, clear | Low | Beginners, turtle spotting | | Similan Islands | Open water, can be choppy | Moderate | Experienced snorkelers | | Koh Phi Phi (Maya Bay area) | Tourist boat traffic | Low-Moderate | Coral, fish diversity | | Koh Lipe (sunrise beach) | Generally calm | Low | Coral reefs close to shore | | Koh Lanta (Mu Ko Lanta NP) | Varies by season | Low-Moderate | Less crowded, good coral | | Railay/Tonsai (Krabi) | Rocky entry points | Low | Calm waters, good visibility | | Ang Thong NP | Open water between islands | Moderate | Guided tours only |

Snorkeling Rules

Never snorkel alone. Always have a buddy or be part of a group/tour.
Stay close to the boat or shore. Don't chase fish into open water.
Don't touch anything. Coral cuts are painful and slow-healing. Sea creatures may be venomous.
Wear a life jacket if you're not a confident swimmer. No shame in it — many Thais snorkel with life jackets.
Signal the boat if you're in trouble — wave one arm while floating.
Check currents before entering. Drop a leaf or handful of sand in the water and watch which direction it moves.

Water Sports Safety

Thailand offers numerous water sports at beach destinations. Each has specific safety considerations.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

Life jacket mandatory — Reputable rental places provide them. Wear it.
Stay close to shore unless you're experienced with open-water kayaking
Tides matter — What was an easy paddle out may be an exhausting paddle back against an outgoing tide
Watch for boat traffic — Kayaks are low and hard for speedboats to see
Avoid offshore paddling during monsoon — Conditions change rapidly

Jet Ski Rental (Buyer Beware)

Jet ski rental in Thailand has a notorious reputation for scams:

The scam: You rent a jet ski. When you return it, the operator claims you damaged it (pointing to pre-existing scratches or damage). They demand ฿10,000-50,000 in "repair costs." Threatening behavior from large men follows.

How to protect yourself:

Photograph and video the jet ski from every angle BEFORE riding — Date-stamped. Show it to the operator and confirm the existing condition verbally on camera.
Do not hand over your passport as deposit. Cash deposit only, and get a receipt.
Negotiate the maximum damage liability before renting
Consider skipping jet skis entirely — The scam is so well-documented that many travel advisories warn against renting jet skis in Phuket and Pattaya specifically
If confronted with a scam demand: Call Tourist Police (1155) immediately. Do not pay large sums under pressure.

Rental cost: ฿1,000-2,000 for 30 minutes (legitimate price)

Parasailing

Check the equipment visually — fraying ropes, worn harnesses, and rusty clips are red flags
Confirm they have insurance — Ask to see it. If they can't show documentation, don't go.
Wind conditions matter — If it feels excessively windy on the beach, it's worse 100 meters up
Weight limits are real — Don't exceed them, and don't go tandem if the operator seems hesitant about the weight

Diving

For scuba diving safety, see our detailed diving guide. Key points for beach context:

Only dive with PADI/SSI certified operators
Don't fly within 18-24 hours of your last dive (decompression risk)
Don't dive after heavy drinking the night before
Koh Tao is the cheapest and most popular place to get certified in the world — PADI Open Water from ฿9,000-12,000

Sun Safety: The Overlooked Hazard

More travelers are affected by sunburn than rip currents, jellyfish, and all marine hazards combined. Thailand is 15 degrees north of the equator — UV intensity is extreme.

The Numbers

UV Index in Thailand: Regularly 11-12+ (classified as "extreme" — highest category)
Sunburn time for fair skin: 15-20 minutes without protection at midday
Most dangerous hours: 10am-3pm

Protection

Sunscreen: SPF 50+ broad-spectrum, applied 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours AND after swimming. One application in the morning is not enough.
Reef-safe sunscreen is recommended in marine areas — chemical sunscreens damage coral. Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients.
Cover up: Rash guard for water activities, hat, and sunglasses
Shade: Use umbrellas (available on most tourist beaches for ฿100-200/day rental with a chair)
Hydrate: Dehydration amplifies heat and sun effects. Drink 3-4 liters of water per day at the beach.

Heat Stroke vs. Heat Exhaustion

| Symptom | Heat Exhaustion | Heat Stroke (EMERGENCY) | |---------|----------------|------------------------| | Temperature | Below 40°C | Above 40°C | | Skin | Cool, clammy, sweating | Hot, dry, no sweating | | Mental state | Dizzy, nauseous, weak | Confused, unconscious | | Action | Move to shade, cool down, hydrate | Call 1669 IMMEDIATELY, cool with ice/water |

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If someone at the beach stops sweating, becomes confused, or loses consciousness, this is not "just being hot" — get emergency help immediately.

Beach Facilities and Infrastructure

What to Expect at Thai Beaches

| Beach Type | Toilets | Showers | Food | Lifeguards | Umbrellas | |------------|---------|---------|------|------------|-----------| | Major tourist (Patong, Chaweng) | Yes | Yes | Abundant | Seasonal | ฿100-200/day | | Mid-range tourist (Ao Nang, Kata) | Yes | Sometimes | Available | Limited | ฿100-150/day | | Smaller islands (Koh Lipe, Koh Mak) | Basic | Sometimes | Some stalls | No | Limited | | National park beaches (Similan, Surin) | Basic | Sometimes | Limited | No | No | | Remote/secluded beaches | No | No | No | No | No |

What to Bring to the Beach

[ ] Water (at least 1 liter, more if no vendors nearby)
[ ] Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
[ ] Waterproof phone case or dry bag (฿50-200 at any tourist shop)
[ ] Reef-safe water shoes (if rocky)
[ ] Cash for umbrella/chair rental and food vendors
[ ] Vinegar or sting spray (during jellyfish season on Gulf beaches)
[ ] Small first aid supplies (band-aids, antiseptic)
[ ] Rash guard or cover-up (sun protection + jellyfish protection)