Useful places, services or shops

There are many expats living in Cha-Am but it’s still a Thai seaside resort in a Thai town, so it’s not always easy to find what you are looking for. We hope this little guide will help you.

Electricity, Internet… where shall I go?

Telephone

The two major operators are TOT and TT&T. TOT office can be found on Phetkasem road, on the left side in the direction of Bangkok, a few yards after the main traffic lights junction. T&T is on Phetkasem road, on the left side of the road when coming from Hua Hin, in soi Nitithon 2 (before the main traffic lights junction and just after the purple building of Electricity). There is also a CAT office on Narathip road, on the right side when coming from Phetkasem road, close to the beachroad.

Internet

In Cha-am you can choose between three providers: TOT, CAT and 3BB. Their websites are not always up to date, so we advise that you go to their offices and check directly with them for availability in your area and the different packages (and promotions) they offer.

Electricity

The new office of the PEA (Provincial Electricity Authority) is a few kilometers south of Cha-am on road 1001 that runs between Phetkasem and the Bypass road. Fortunately bills can be paid at any Seven-Eleven!

Building permit, house registration…

For all matters related to building permit, water, house number and house registration, go to the Tesaban office on Phetkasem road, on the right side of the road when going in the direction of Bangkok, at km 184. It closes at 4.30 pm.

Where to…? Services

Where to pay bills

You can pay most of your bills (Internet, telephone, insurance…) at all Seven-Eleven shops (ask for ‘counter service’). They just scan the bar code on the bill.

Where to find a bank

Most major banks have a branch in Cha-Am. You will find most of them near the main traffic lights junction. Siam Commercial Bank and Bangkok Bank are at two locations, near the main junction and on the beach road.

• For more information, see our page about Money and Banks.

Where to go to have water delivered

To have drinking water delivered to your house (small bottles or 20 litres tanks), you should spot a delivery car in the area where you live and arrange with them directly (or have your owner do that if you rent a house).

Where to…? Shops

Where to buy books

Unfortunately there is no bookshop selling English books in Cha-Am. You can borrow or buy second-hand paperbacks at some expat places, like Okay Supermarket. But for a larger selection of books, we advise that you go to Hua Hin (there’s an Asia Books in Bluport mall), Bangkok, or order online.

Where to have something translated

If you need to translate a personal letter or official documents, from or into Thai or any other language, please contact us directly. We will get in touch with a translator and get back to you with a quotation.

Where to buy computer stuff

“Cha-Am IT” is a shop in the same soi as kan fai fa (see “Electricity” above). They have computer accessories and they can arrange everything for you, like assemble or repair a computer, check your Wifi connection, reinstall your software, etc.

Where to buy western food

You can find some western products in shops like Okay or Big C.

• For more information, see our page about Shopping and our page about Restaurants.

Where to buy a motorbike or a car

It depends on the brand you choose, of course. There is a Toyota center on Phetkasem, on the left side of the road when going to Bangkok, just before the bridge over the railway. A Yamaha center and a Honda center are in the same area, on the opposite side of the road.