LANGKAWI PRACTICAL INFO

ELECTRICITY


Voltage is 220 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Most hotels provide 110 120 volts adapters.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS


Visitors to Malaysia must possess a valid passport or other internationally recognised travel documents that are valid for at least six months beyond the intended visiting period.


HEALTH & INSURANCE


The health standards in Malaysia are one of the best in Asia. Hospitals, private clinics and medical supplies, as well as pharmacies are widely available in Langkawi especially at Kuah Town. However, if you are visiting remote or mangrove areas, it is advisable to get mosquito coils or insect repellents to keep mosquitoes at bay. Citizens coming from yellow fever infected areas on the African and South American continents have to produce their yellow fever vaccination certificates for entry into Malaysia. Travellers are also advised to buy travel and health insurance before visiting Langkawi. Langkawi General Hospital, provides 24 hour assistance services in Langkawi.


NEWS PAPERS AND MAGAZINE


The main daily newspapers in the country are available in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese and Tamil. The English dailies in Malaysia that offer comprehensive coverage of local and international news are The New Straits Times (NST) and The Star. Both of them are sold at RM1.20 per copy. Business papers include The Edge and Business Times. Foreign newspapers like the International Herald Tribune, USA Today, Financial Times, Asian Wall Street Journal etc, can be obtained at hotels gift shops, convenient stores and bookshops. Various local and foreign magazines catering to different interests are also widely available in bookshops and news stands.


TELEVISION AND RADIO


There are currently 5 channels that are free for public viewing. The state owned Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) offers RTM 1 and RTM 2, while private stations include TV3 and NTV7 and the new channel, called Channel 8. News in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese and Tamil are aired as well as local and foreign movies, sitcoms and comedies. Documentaries and religious programmes are also aired. Most hotels also offer Cable TV. Satellite TV broadcaster, Astro, is available by subscription only. It offers more than 50 channels including CNN, National Geographic Channel and Channel (V). Radio Malaysia Langkawi offers informative and entertaining programs.


POSTAL SERVICES


Pos Malaysia Berhad provides various postal services for letters, postcards, small packets, parcels, cash on delivery, remittances, and philately. For letters and other items, the mode of delivery can be by airmail or sea mail to anywhere overseas. Other than the ordinary delivery services, there is a courier service called the Expedited Mail Service (EMS) or locally known as Pos Laju. The postal rates for the various postal services vary according to the respective services, weight and destinations. Post offices open on Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm.


TELECOMMUNICATIONS


Public phones are abundant in Langkawi, especially at strategic or high traffic places, airport, and kuah town. The telephones are operated by coins, pre paid phone cards or both. Phone cards can be purchased at stores, news stands or shops. They are sold in denominations of RM5, RM10 and RM20. Public payphones in Langkawi are offered by Uniphone, Citiphone and Telekorn Malaysia (the national operator). Therefore, the phone cards are different for the different payphones offered by the three companies and they are not interchangeable. The usage of mobile phones is very common in the country. There are many companies that provide cellular phone services such as DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (016), Maxis Communications Berhad (012), TIMECel Sdin Bhd (017) Celcom (M) Sdn Bhd (019), etc. Tourists with DiGi's chatz IDD calling card can make overseas calls for a very low price. For example, a call to Australia, Canada, the UK or the US would cost only 50 sent a minute. You can use the card from any mobile phone or touch tone phone and it is available at all DiGi Centres and convenience stores. Overseas calls can be made from Malaysia by dialling the international access code (00), then followed by the country code. To call a particular state in Malaysia from another state, first dial the area code, followed by the telephone number. Internet cafes are also available in Kuah towns as well as tourist spots.


TIME


Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time. It shares the same time zone with Singapore.


TIPPING


Tipping is not necessary although it is appreciated, as most hotels and restaurants have already added a 10% service charge. However, if the services provided are satisfactory, it is common for guests to leave some tips. You can also leave behind the loose change if you want to.


TOURIST INFORMATION


Information in Langkawi can be obtained from Tourist Information Centre in Kuah Town.


WHAT TO WEAR AND WHAT TO BRING


Since Malaysia enjoys a tropical climate which is hot and sunny, lightweight clothing, as well as cotton, is ideal when going for sightseeing or travelling around Langkawi. Generally, T-shirts and shorts are acceptable. However, do dress appropriately when dining out in restaurants or going for a night out. Certain establishments also have a dress code. It is also important to dress decently (no shorts) when visiting villages and also any places of worship.