Thailand Guide
Getting around
By boat
Regular ferries connect all major islands with the mainland, and for the vast majority of crossings you simply buy your ticket on board. Safety standards are generally just about adequate but there have been a small number of sinkings in recent years – avoid travelling on boats that are clearly overloaded or in poor condition.
On the east coast and the Andaman coast boats generally operate a reduced service during the monsoon season (May– Oct), when the more remote spots become inaccessible. Ferries in the Samui archipelago are fairly constant year-round.
The most pleasurable water vessels to travel in, however, are the traditional, small, arching-timber longtail boats (seating up to ten), so named for their long-stick propellers that make shallow coastal navigation a doddle. Longtails cover mainland coastal, or coast to island hops and short inter-island journeys.