In an emergency in Thailand, call 191 for the police, 1669 for an ambulance, 199 for a fire, or 1155 for the Tourist Police, which answers 24 hours a day with English-speaking operators. This guide lists those numbers and the other lines travellers need: hospitals in Bangkok, embassies, road emergencies, fraud and lost cards. Every phone number below was checked in September 2026. Save the ones you need before you land.
The Numbers to Save First
| Service | Number | When to call |
|---|---|---|
| Police and general emergency | 191 | Crime, danger, any emergency |
| Medical emergency (ambulance) | 1669 | Illness or injury that needs an ambulance |
| Fire | 199 | Fire |
| Tourist Police | 1155 | Help in English, theft, scams, disputes |
| Ambulance and rescue (Bangkok) | 1554 | Also listed by the British Embassy |
The UK government also says that you can dial 191 and ask for an ambulance. If you do not speak Thai and are not sure which number to call, 1155 is a good first call.
Tourist Police: 1155
The Tourist Police help foreign visitors. The 1155 line works 24 hours a day, and the operators speak English. Call it if your bag or phone is stolen, if you think you have been cheated, or if you are in a dispute with a shop, a driver or a rental business. Ask for a police report, because your insurer will usually ask for one.
The Tourist Police also have a smartphone app, "Thailand Tourist Police". It works for tourists without a Thai SIM card, gives information on attractions, and sends alerts about natural disasters or safety concerns near you.
Which Number to Call
- Someone is injured or very ill: 1669.
- A crime is happening, or you are in danger: 191.
- Fire or smoke: 199.
- Theft, a scam, or you need help in English: 1155.
- An accident on a highway: 1193 (Highway Police), and 1669 if anyone is hurt.
Medical Emergencies
For an ambulance, call 1669. Private international hospitals in Bangkok include these three, re-checked in September 2026:
| Hospital | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bumrungrad International Hospital | 33 Sukhumvit Soi 3 (Soi Nana Nua), Wattana, Bangkok | +66 2 066 8888 (24 hours) |
| BNH Hospital | 9/1 Convent Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok | +66 2 022 0700 |
| Samitivej Hospitals | Several hospitals, one on Sukhumvit Soi 49, Bangkok | +66 2 022 2222 (main line) |
From a Thai phone number, Bumrungrad also answers on 1378 for emergencies, appointments and ambulance requests.
What to Expect at a Hospital
- Payment comes first. All hospitals in Thailand require a guarantee of payment before they treat a patient. The Government of Canada adds that hospitals often ask for payment upfront or proof of insurance before admission.
- Private and public hospitals differ. Private hospitals are of a high standard but can be expensive. The UK government says public hospitals do not always meet UK standards, especially outside Bangkok, and Canada says quality varies in rural areas.
- Contact your insurer as soon as you can. Give the hospital your insurer's 24-hour number and your policy number at once, so the insurer can confirm payment.
What to Carry
- Your passport, or at least a copy of the photo page.
- Your travel insurance policy number and the insurer's 24-hour phone number.
- A list of your medicines, allergies and blood type, in English.
- Your hotel's name and address, ideally also written in Thai.
After treatment, ask for itemised receipts and a medical report for your insurer.
Embassies in Bangkok
Contact your embassy for serious problems such as a lost or stolen passport or an arrest. These contacts were re-checked in September 2026:
| Embassy | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 181 Soi ArunMcKinnon, Wireless Road, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok | +66 2 344 6300 |
| Canada | 15th Floor, Abdulrahim Place, 990 Rama IV, Bangrak, Bangkok | +66 2 646 4300,  |
| United Kingdom | AIA Sathorn Tower, Floor 12A, 11/1 South Sathorn Road, Sathorn, Bangkok | FCDO online contact form |
- Canada also has an Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai: +66 53 850 147.
- United Kingdom: the British Embassy's official page gives no phone number. You contact it through the FCDO online contact form, and public visits are by appointment only. Relatives at home can call the UK government's 24-hour line in London on 020 7008 5000, or +44 20 7008 5000 from abroad.
- Other countries: save your own embassy's number from its official website before you travel.
Road and Transport Emergencies
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Highway Police | 1193 | 24 hours |
| Traffic Police | 1197 | Reporting traffic problems |
| Department of Highways | 1586 | 24 hours, free from all networks; press 7 for the motorway |
| Airports of Thailand call centre | 1722 | Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket and others |
| State Railway of Thailand | 1690 | Trains |
| Bangkok city buses (BMTA) | 1348 | City buses |
After a Road Accident
- Move away from traffic if it is safe to do so.
- Call 1669 if anyone is hurt, and 191 or 1193 for the police.
- Call 1155 if you need help in English.
- Take photos of the vehicles, the plates and the scene.
- Exchange names, phone numbers and insurance details with the other people involved.
- Ask for a police report. Your insurer will need it.
Two rules matter for insurance. Riding a motorbike without a valid licence can invalidate your travel insurance, and so can travelling against your government's advice. For example, as of September 2026 the UK government advises against travel within 20 km of the land border with Cambodia. Helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers. The WHO ranks Thailand among the world's deadliest countries for motorcycle deaths.
Getting Around With Less Risk
Some problems start with transport, such as a fare dispute. The Government of Canada warns about taxi fare disputes that turn into threats. A pre-booked private transfer reduces that risk because the price is agreed before you travel.
With Smile Taxi Service, fares are fixed per vehicle, one way, with expressway tolls included and no meter. Before the trip the team sends you the driver's name, the car and the plate number, so you know exactly which car to get into. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time. Examples:
- Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok: 600 THB (SUV 800 THB, van 1,100 THB).
- Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya: 1,200 THB (SUV 1,500 THB, van 1,800 THB).
You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip; there is no online payment. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link, with a 5% fee added. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details). See all Smile Taxi routes and prices.
In an emergency, always call the official numbers above first.
Scams, Theft and Lost Cards
- Tourist fraud: call the Tourist Police on 1155, or the Tourist Assistance Center of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 0 2134 4077. Both answer 24 hours. The ministry's office line, 0 2356 0650, is open Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30.
- Your passport: keep it in the hotel safe and carry a copy of the photo page, which police usually accept. Police may give you 24 hours to show the passport itself. Never leave your passport with a scooter or jet-ski rental business as a guarantee.
- Lost or stolen Visa card: call Visa's worldwide line collect on +1 303 967 1096 (calls from hotels and mobiles may be charged). For other cards, save the number printed on the back of your card before you travel.
- Visas and stay extensions: the Immigration Bureau answers on 1178 or 0 2572 8500.
Tourist Information and Disasters
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): 1672, daily from 08:00 to 20:00, for tourist information.
- Disaster hotline: 1784, the national disaster warning line.
- Alerts on your phone: the Thailand Tourist Police app sends alerts about natural disasters and safety concerns nearby.
Useful Thai Phrases
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | ช่วยด้วย | chuay duay |
| Call the police | เรียกตำรวจ | riak tam-ruat |
| Call an ambulance | เรียกรถพยาบาล | riak rot pa-ya-ban |
| Where is the hospital? | โรงพยาบาลอยู่ที่ไหน | rong pa-ya-ban yoo tee nai |
| Fire! | ไฟไหม้ | fai mai |
Before You Go: Checklist
- Save 191, 1669, 199 and 1155 in your phone, with your embassy's number.
- Install the Thailand Tourist Police app.
- Photograph your passport photo page and store a copy online.
- Keep your insurer's 24-hour number and policy number with you.
- Write your hotel's name and address in Thai.
FAQ
What is the emergency number in Thailand? 191 for the police and general emergencies, 1669 for an ambulance and 199 for a fire. The Tourist Police, 1155, answer in English 24 hours a day.
Does the Tourist Police speak English? Yes. The 1155 line has English-speaking operators 24 hours a day, and the Thailand Tourist Police app works without a Thai SIM card.
What is the number for an ambulance? 1669. In Bangkok, the British Embassy also lists 1554 for ambulance and rescue, and you can dial 191 and ask for an ambulance.
How do I contact the British Embassy in Bangkok? Through the FCDO online contact form. Family at home can call +44 20 7008 5000, 24 hours a day.
Will a hospital treat me before I pay? All hospitals in Thailand require a guarantee of payment before treatment, so give them your insurer's details straight away.
For a fixed-price transfer, book on the Smile Taxi booking page or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.