The Question
Public Question Asked by Stacy Gray about Ko Lanta
My Family is coming to Krabi, Thailand. Long tail boat question?
Hello, I have a few questions before I book a tour. Do you have insurance for your boat? Is your Captain licensed? Does he speak English or do you provide a Western guide? Can you tell me what style of fishing gear you use? Where is your tour office located? Thank you, Stacy
Answers (17)
The Best Answer
Answered by Randy Gaudet , Muang Chiang Mai, Thailand
HI Stacy,
I am almost certain there are no real boat captains or insurance when taking a long tail boat.
For a real fishing trip check this web site out.
http://www.squidoo.com/thailand_fishing
Have fun,
Randy and Ning
Answered by Monica , Bangkok Metropolis, Thailand
If you come with a family,on your vacation, i would suggest Pimalai Resort on Koh Lanta www.pimalai.com (world best small laxury hotel).Everything will be much easier for you,choose the package with boat trip. It's not expensive compare with service you will get from any of your request. and if you are lucky , you can get a private boat on the trip as i had. Good Luck;)
Answered by Pip Paton , Amphoe Lom Kao, Thailand
I agree with the below answer. No licenses or insurance. Make sure you have travel insurance and if you are very concerned bring or buy compact life jackets with you as these aren't provided. Long tail boats are a very basic form of sea travel in Thailand.
Answered by Rob Bysouth , Ban Ao Nang, Thailand
i would recommend taking a private speedboat - safer and insured. i can arrange this for you...
Answered by Larry , Amphoe Muang Chiang Mai, Thailand
We do not have boats in Krabi.
Most boats are licensed and insured. Always check. Be aware that insurance is minimal and normally covers a maximum of 15,000 baht for injuries and 100,000 baht for loss of life.
Comment by Rob Bysouth from Ban Ao Nang, Thailand
larry - ''we do not have boats in krabi'' eh?!?! really???
Answered by Rickard Wessman , Ban Khao Lak, Thailand
Hi
Thank you for your query
If you have ability to see on my web-page concerning biggamefishing.
www.biggamefishing.se
There receives you answer on all your questions
Answered by Anthony Venn Dutton , Bangkok Metropolis, Thailand
Stacy there is no insurance for the boats, i assume you have travllers insurance? Also there really isnt such a title as captain for a long boat as these are boats they learn to drive as kids. They will speak a little english or sometimes more and officially speaking western tour guides are not permitted as this is a job for Thais only.
Comment by Sheri Hardy from Yarmouth, Canada
Next time i visit Thailand I will definitely check out your services!
Answered by Thomas Oxford , Bangkok, Thailand
Dear Stacy
I am sorry, but currently we only offer services in Bangkok. If there are any queries you have regarding your stay in Bangkok, we will be happy to help you. We are a Thai managed company with western and Thai tour guides, keep us in mind as we plan to expand to other parts of amazing Thailand this year. Thank you.
Kind regards
Tom Oxford
Answered by Andre Breuer , Bangkok Metropolis, Thailand
Dear Stacy,
The "captain" of a longtail-boat does need to have a license in order to ride a boat but in Thailand that's more like a drivers license. Don't count on the captain has an insurance and even if he has, insurances covers to local standards which is very little. Better make sure you have a good travel insurance before going on a holiday.
Andre
Answered by a Localyte , Bangkok, Thailand
You should have adequate travel insurance that will cover you for boat trips. I'm pretty certain that you'll find Longboat Captains are unlicensed.
Answered by a Localyte , Bangkok, Thailand
You should have adequate travel insurance that will cover you for boat trips. I'm pretty certain that you'll find Longboat Captains are unlicensed.
Answered by Sheri Hardy , Yarmouth, Canada
Hi Stacey! I have to correct you on the long tail boat...... a long tail boat is not sturdy (the majority) for what you are looking for. Generally, they are used for mainland / island transport and most of the "captains" are Thai guys who don't speak english. My advice is to go to your hotel and ask to see what sort of charters or excursions they offer. Also, these excursions often seem better online, so i always found it was best to do it on the spot or the day before because you can book something for five almost immediately. check out the boat and ask questions. I stayed at the Krabi seaview hotel / resort kitty corner to the main beach and their services and service was excellent. Good luck and have fun!
Sheri
Answered by Eric Bachellereau , Chumphon, Thailand
HI Stacy,
I am almost certain there are no real boat captains or insurance when taking a long tail boat, specialy for local.
I recommand you to book with your local hotel or any agency on a place..
You can have an extra insurance to be sure for your convenient..
In Chumphon we offer a local snorkeling trip in a Marine Parc of Mu Ko Ang Thong who get more than 10 islands.. and a smaller are beautifull for snorkeling, you can see turtle, whale-shark, potatoes grouper, Barracudas, Eagle raie and many more.., this trip have a full insurance and we provide a western guide..
We provide only fun and a good time, maybe see you there...
But i think your budget are a bit short !!
;) Eric..
Answered by Robbie Tree , Amphoe Kohlanta, Thailand
www.sunislandtours.com
call Suzanna on 0878916619
Local Thai captain married to Suzanna.
Long tail boat trips
Fishing, island tours
Answered by Nicola Byrne , Ko Samui, Thailand
I really wouldnt take a long tail boat for a fishing trip. If you organise a trip with a travel agent you will fin dgood safe cheap deals for fshing trips using speed boats with insurance etc. Logtails are pretty dangerous and there is no insurance I feel sure about that.
Answered by Graham Bear MacMillan , Phuket, Thailand
Hi Stacy if you want to worry about licences and safety, don't do buget trips. Stick to recognised and Tourism Authority of Thailand ( T A T ) acredited businesses. Other wise you are looking for trouble, the seas can get pretty rough and windy.
Answered by kurt lewis , Phuket, Thailand
yes our boat is insured we also have a T.A.T licence the captain is licenced i usally go on any trip and im english
we use penn international rods and shimarno tagra reels please look on face book under tailwalker fishing you can see the boat and gear.sorry for the lateness of my reply (computer problems)

Comment by a Localyte from Bangkok Metropolis, Thailand
also the most expensive in koh lanta - Pimalai has rooms for 100 thousand baht a night and uses private drivers to make sure you never get out and about on your own and find out that the boat you just rented costs 50 times less a day than you paid Pimalai Pimalai is a rip off and destroy the locals' income from tourism.. they keep the people in the complex and have own supermarket and prevent local poor people from being able to do any commerce Boycott Pimalai they are the typical abuser of the Thai People and the King's setagit por piang! You might be insured with Pimalai but the cost difference is incredible.In most places in Thailand, you will never have any such guarantee, and the laws do not re-imburse much for death or casualty.. if you kill someone running them over in your car here, the price to pay is 50 thousand baht; about 1000 euros only for the family of A you can't fly fish on koh lanta because there are no rivers and you dont need a boat for fly fishing ( i am not aware of people flyfishing in the sea). I recommend to go to Captain Sun at www.lantalongtail.com - his wife is Canadian and they run the business together and can do fishing or island tours even camp on a small desert island alone if u like - Captain sun has been fishing sice his youth and is now over 50 and still here - he knows the waters around Koh Lanta like the back of his hand so you will be safer than on an "Insured" boat with some freshman rookie captain with his qualifications and licence but only 2 years real experience. Dont fall into the trap of thinking more expensive is always better and safer.. life is not clear cut and black and white, and experience is always worth more than some diploma.. thats only a piece of papaer. I have a friend he has Batchelors degree in Thai grammar and he cant speak only translate documents.. but i have no qualifications and am fluent in 7 languages - but i cant aply for a translator job. When i got married to a Thai lady in Germany, i had to pay an interpreter for her who was unable to translate the registrars speech, and in the end i had to help.. i still had to pay 140 euros an hour for something i could do myself. Simply because of that piece of paper. Experience is the essence! Not what is written on paper.
Mar 10, 2009