Tourist Police Thailand: Call 1155 for Crimes Involving Tourists
Call 1155, the tourist police hotline, for crimes involving tourists. The Tourist Police Bureau enforces criminal law nationwide, including where the victim is a foreign visitor. Its mobile app is a free download for help requests and translation, and works without a Thai SIM card.
On this page
Call 1155 if a crime involves a tourist. Dial 1669 for an ambulance and 191 for the regular police. The Bureau behind that line enforces criminal law nationwide, so a case is theirs even when the victim is a foreign visitor.
What they handle
The Tourist Police Bureau enforces criminal law across the country, so a case is still theirs when the victim or the suspect is a foreigner visiting temporarily. It also helps, facilitates and keeps tourists safe, and it looks after their life, body and property, so report a theft against you on 1155.
If you would rather use your phone, the Bureau’s mobile app lets you request immediate assistance, translation services and tourism information, and it is a free download. It is available to tourists who do not have a Thai SIM card, so you can install it before you arrive.
Where the stations are
Tourist police stations are set up by province, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui. The official list gives provinces, not street addresses, so call 1155 and ask where the nearest station is.
Getting a police report for insurance
Report a crime to the police before you leave the country, because you might need the same report for a travel insurance claim. When money, a passport or anything valuable is lost or stolen, report it to the local police as soon as possible and ask for a statement about the loss or a crime report. Keep that report together with receipts and medical bills for the claim. Insurers set their own terms.
Online scam: 1441
For an online scam, call the Anti Online Scam Operation Center on 1441. Press 1 to report and request the suspension of suspicious accounts. Have your bank name, account number and the date and time of the transaction ready, plus the scammer’s bank name and account number. The online report does not end it, because the law requires victims to meet an investigator at the designated police station within 7 days. If your case is an online shopping dispute, the centre recommends the 1212 hotline instead.
If you live here
Lost your passport while living in Thailand? Start at a local police station: you must report it there before you ask your embassy for a new one. Take a copy of the police notification and a copy of your old passport, with its details and photo if you have one, to the embassy. When the new passport arrives, you need a letter from the embassy to the Immigration Bureau to get a new arrival stamp.
You request that stamp at the Change Passport Book counter of Sub-Division 2, Immigration Division 1. Because you live here, also see the visa department or Division 1. The Immigration Bureau also publishes a hotline, 1178.
Other numbers worth saving
| Need | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 191 |
| Ambulance | 1669 |
| Fire, accidents, rescue | 199 |
| Immigration Police | 1178 |
See the full list and the script for a 1669 call in Thailand emergency numbers.
Step by step
- Call the hotlineCall 1155, the tourist police hotline, for a crime involving a tourist.
- Or use the appThe app is for requesting immediate assistance and translation services. It works without a Thai SIM card.
- Ask for a reportAsk the police for a statement about the loss or a crime report.
- Keep the report for your insurerKeep police reports together with receipts and medical bills for an insurance claim.
Not confirmed: The Bureau pages do not state the languages or hours of the 1155 line. The station list names provinces, with no street addresses or phone numbers. Ask 1155 for the nearest station.
Common questions
What is the tourist police number in Thailand?
1155 is the tourist police hotline. It is the line for crimes involving tourists.
Is there a tourist police app?
The Thailand Tourist Police app is for requesting immediate assistance, translation services and tourism information. It is a free download.
Does the app work without a Thai SIM card?
The application is available to tourists who do not have a Thai SIM card.
Do I need a police report for travel insurance?
You might need to report a crime to the police to make a claim on your travel insurance. Ask the police for a statement about the loss or a crime report.
What do I do if my passport is lost or stolen?
Report it to the local police as soon as possible. Ask for a crime report or statement of the loss.
Where are the tourist police stations?
Stations exist for provinces including Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok. The official list names provinces only, so call 1155 and ask for the nearest one.
Which number is for an ambulance or fire?
1669 is the Emergency Medical number. 199 is listed for fire, accidents and rescue.
How do I report an online scam in Thailand?
Call the Anti Online Scam Operation Center on 1441. Press 1 to report and request the suspension of suspicious accounts.
Read next
Sources and reader comments
Official sources:
- Thailand Tourist Police Bureau, English home page (hotline banner, partner-agency numbers, mobile app block, contact box) (opens in a new tab)
- Public Relations Department (prd.go.th): emergency numbers list, posted 25 Dec 2023 (Wayback copy) (opens in a new tab)
- Thailand Tourist Police Bureau, About us: history, powers and duties, mission (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) Thailand travel advice: Getting help (emergency services in Thailand) (opens in a new tab)
- Thailand Tourist Police Bureau, Command structure page: areas of responsibility and tourist police stations (opens in a new tab)
Show 4 more sources
- GOV.UK (FCDO): Reporting a crime abroad and getting help (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Digital Economy and Society: Anti Online Scam Operation Center (AOC 1441), English page (opens in a new tab)
- Thailand.go.th (Public Relations Department): Procedures and documents required if foreigners lose their passports in Thailand (source: Immigration Division 1; updated 10 Jul 2023) (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration Bureau Public Handbook: Re-Entry Permit (TM.8), complaint channel block, hosted on phangngaimmigration.go.th (opens in a new tab)
General information checked against the sources listed above. Prices, opening hours and other details change; confirm them with the provider before you act. See how guides are checked.
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Comments (7)
Anonymous
What to do in case of emergency as a foreigner? I tried to search in this sub and now have the numbers 1155 for the Thai tourist police, 191 for the Royal Thai police, and 1669 for medical emergency, but I hear they may not speak English. I will be traveling solo as a female and I am wondering what I would do if I suspected to be roofied? Or trying to think of other emergency situations, but I was thinking to my emergency contacts here at home that will have my location… if I were to say, text them SOS, we were wondering what would be the plan of action in case of emergency? Will calling 1155 be the way to go? Or 191? Would they speak English if I called 191?
5 replies
Negative_Condition41
I had to call the tourist police a few weeks ago. They definitely spoke English, but got very confused at my situation which was rough. Got it sorted though. I’ve been to Thailand dozens of times now (including solo travel as a teenage white girl) and that’s the only time I’ve had to call anyone for help.
KrungThepMahaNK
Tried it once in Chiang Mai after a friend had fallen down a flight of stairs and had a head injury. They couldn't find an ambulance for us and recommended taking a grab to the hospital.
RotisserieChicken007
Just stick to the Tourist Police phone number and app, and use common sense. If you've fallen down a waterfall because you went too close to take a selfie, others will have to call emergency services anyway. And don't leave your drinks unattended and accept drinks from strangers.
Freddyfudpuk57
Police and general emergency – 191 Medical emergency – 1669 Fire – 199 Tourist Police/Assistance – 1155 😁
Negative_Condition41
My significant experience says that if you ask about speaking English in English, people will say no unless they’re basically a native speaker. Ask it in Thai, and people will tell you what sort of level they speak. Also explaining that you don’t speak Thai *because* you’re a foreigner actually works. If you spent any decent length of time in Thailand, you would understand why they’re important
VagabondingHeart
He's not a police officer. He's just a volunteer and have no actual power or anything.