Checked 9 November 2026
Emergency Numbers in Thailand and Bangkok
Who to call for an ambulance, the police or a fire, which Bangkok hospitals have their own ambulance line, and a free card to print for your fridge and your family's wallets.
The short answer
Thailand’s main emergency numbers are 1669 for an ambulance, 191 for the police, 199 for fire and 1155 for the English-speaking Tourist Police. In Bangkok, if your family uses a private hospital, call that hospital’s own ambulance line first: you get English-speaking staff and you go to the hospital your insurance covers.
Download the free printable card (PDF)1669
Ambulance and medical emergency
Nationwide and free. Run by the National Institute for Emergency Medicine. English is not guaranteed.
191
Police
Crime, danger and general emergencies. 911 is also reported to connect.
199
Fire
Fire and fire rescue.
1155
Tourist Police (English)
English-speaking officers who will connect you to the right service. The best fallback if you are stuck.
Which number should I call?
Your child stops breathing, has a seizure or is badly hurt at home in Bangkok
Call your own hospital's ambulance line. If you cannot get through within a minute, call 1669.
A road accident, or you are outside Bangkok
Call 1669. For accidents on a highway, 1193 reaches the Highway Police.
You cannot make yourself understood
Call 1155. The Tourist Police speak English and will pass your call on.
Your child has swallowed something poisonous or been bitten by a snake
Call 1367, Thailand's poison control number, for advice, and 1669 or your hospital for an ambulance.
A crime, a break-in or someone threatening you
Call 191.
Fire or smoke
Get out first, then call 199.
Bangkok private hospital ambulance numbers
Each number below was checked on the hospital’s own website on 9 November 2026. Where a hospital publishes only a general hotline, we say so. Four-digit numbers work from Thai phone numbers.
| Hospital | Number | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bumrungrad International | 1378 or +66 2011 5222 | Ambulance, 24 hours |
| Bangkok Hospital | 1724 | Emergency and trauma centre |
| BNH Hospital | +66 2 632 1000 | Emergency and ambulance |
| MedPark Hospital | +66 2 090 3000 | Ambulance |
| Vejthani Hospital | +66 2 734 0001 | Ambulance |
| Samitivej | +66 2022 2222 | 24-hour call centre |
| Phyathai 2 Hospital | 1772 | Hospital hotline |
| Praram 9 Hospital | 1270 | Hospital hotline |
Not sure which hospital to use? See our guide to the best hospitals in Bangkok for foreigners and the full hospital directory.
Other emergency and helpline numbers
| Bangkok ambulance (city) | 1646 | Erawan Medical Centre, run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration |
| Bangkok ambulance (Vajira) | 1554 | Vajira Hospital medical rescue unit |
| Poison control or snake bite | 1367 | Thailand's poison control number: Ramathibodi Poison Center, 24 hours. LINE @rpc1367 |
| Mental health crisis | 1323 | Department of Mental Health hotline |
| Child abuse or family violence | 1300 | Social assistance centre, free, 24 hours, Thai and English |
| Children and young people | 1387 | Childline Thailand, 24 hours |
| Highway accident | 1193 | Highway Police |
| Water accident | 1196 | Water accident line |
| Disaster warnings | 1860 | National Disaster Warning Center |
| Air ambulance | 089 922 3300 | Siam Air Care |
Why 191 is not always the best call
Thailand does not have one emergency number that routes everything. 191 reaches the police, 1669 reaches the national ambulance system, and the two are separate. Calling the police about a medical emergency costs you time.
In Bangkok there is a second layer. Much of the city’s roadside rescue is done by volunteer foundations such as Poh Teck Tung and Ruamkatanyu. They are often first on the scene and do vital work, but they usually take patients to the nearest hospital, and rival teams have been reported clashing over territory. Private hospitals run their own ambulances with English-speaking staff, and they take you to the hospital your family already uses.
So the practical recommendation for expat families in Bangkok: save your own hospital’s ambulance line, call it first, and keep 1669 and 1155 as your backups.
What to say when you call
- What happened, and who is hurt.
- Where you are: address, building, soi and a landmark.
- Your phone number. Keep the line free.
- Which hospital you want to go to.
Emergency Thai phrases
Say the line in red. Show the Thai script if they do not understand.
- Help!chuay duay!ช่วยด้วย
- I need an ambulancedtong gaan rot pa-yaa-baanต้องการรถพยาบาล
- Take us to ___ Hospitalpaa bpai rohng pa-yaa-baan ___พาไปโรงพยาบาล ___
- I can't speak Thaipoot paa-saa tai mai daiพูดภาษาไทยไม่ได้
- Do you speak English?poot paa-saa ang-grit dai mai?พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม
Do this today, before you need it
- Save your hospital’s ambulance line, 1669 and 1155 in every family phone.
- Download the Thai EMS 1669 app, which sends your GPS location and has a chat option.
- Write your home address in Thai and keep it by the door and in your phone.
- Keep insurance cards with your ID, and tell your helper or nanny which hospital you use.
- Know the route to your nearest 24-hour emergency department.
- Print the card below and put it on the fridge.
Free printable emergency card
One A4 page for the fridge with every number on this page, plus four wallet cards for each family member, with space to write in your hospital, your address in Thai and allergies.
Download the free printable card (PDF)PDF, 2 pages, A4. Numbers checked 9 November 2026. 中文版
Questions families ask
What is the emergency number in Thailand?
There is no single number. Call 1669 for an ambulance or medical emergency, 191 for the police, 199 for fire and 1155 for the English-speaking Tourist Police. In Bangkok, if your family uses a private hospital, its own ambulance line is often the fastest way to get English-speaking help.
What is the ambulance number in Bangkok?
1669 is the national ambulance number and works in Bangkok. The city also has 1646 (Erawan Medical Centre) and 1554 (Vajira Hospital). Private hospitals run their own ambulances, for example Bumrungrad on 1378 and Bangkok Hospital on 1724.
Does 911 work in Thailand?
911 is reported to connect to the police, but do not rely on it. Save 1669, 191 and 1155 in your phone instead.
Do 1669 operators speak English?
Sometimes, but it is not guaranteed. If you cannot make yourself understood, call 1155, the Tourist Police, who speak English and can connect you. Private hospital ambulance lines usually have English-speaking staff.
Is calling an ambulance free in Thailand?
Calling 1669 is free. A private hospital ambulance is normally charged to your bill or your insurance, so check what your policy covers before you need it.
Which hospital will the ambulance take me to?
A private hospital ambulance takes you to that hospital. A 1669 crew or a volunteer rescue team usually takes patients to the nearest suitable hospital, which may be a public hospital. Say clearly which hospital you want, and call your own hospital as well.
Who are the volunteer rescue teams?
Much of Bangkok's roadside rescue is done by volunteer foundations such as Poh Teck Tung and Ruamkatanyu. They often arrive first and do vital work, but they are not your hospital's ambulance, and teams have been reported competing over territory. If you have a choice, call your own hospital.
What is the poison control number in Thailand?
Thailand's poison control number is 1367, the Ramathibodi Poison Center, open 24 hours, for advice on poisons, snake bites and antidotes. For an ambulance, call 1669 or your hospital.
Do four-digit hotlines work from a foreign phone?
Short hotlines are designed for Thai phone numbers and may not connect from a foreign SIM on roaming. Save the full +66 number for your hospital, and get a Thai SIM as soon as you arrive.
Related
Numbers checked 9 November 2026 against Thai government sources and each hospital’s own website. Numbers change, so tell us at info@bkkfamilies.com if one stops working. This page is general information, not medical advice, and not a recommendation to use or avoid any provider.