Emergency phone numbers in Thailand and Koh Samui

Thailand does not have one single emergency number like 911 or 112. Instead, each service has its own short number, and all of them work on Koh Samui. The four numbers every visitor should save are: 191 for police and general emergencies, 1669 for medical emergencies and ambulance dispatch (run under the National Institute for Emergency Medicine), 199 for fire and rescue, and 1155 for the Tourist Police, which has English-speaking operators around the clock and is often the best first call for foreigners. Other useful numbers include 1193 (highway police), 1196 (marine/water police, relevant for ferry and boat incidents), and 1672 (Tourism Authority of Thailand information line, not for emergencies). All emergency calls are free and can be dialled from any Thai mobile or landline without an area code, even from a phone with no credit. If you call from a foreign phone, dial the number directly while inside Thailand. When you call, say your location first and clearly, because this is the hardest part across a language barrier. Give a landmark, beach name, or hotel name, and ask a Thai speaker nearby to help if possible. English support on 191 and 1669 can be limited outside major areas; if language is the problem, call 1155 and the Tourist Police will translate and connect you. If someone is injured and cannot be moved safely, call 1669 and follow the operator's instructions. After any crime or accident, ask for a police report slip, because insurers usually require it for claims.

Summary

Thailand uses several short emergency numbers instead of one single number. Save 191 (police), 1669 (medical emergency/ambulance), 199 (fire), and 1155 (Tourist Police, English-speaking, 24 hours) in your phone before you need them. Calls are free and work from any Thai phone, even without credit.

Key facts

• 191 = police / general emergency, nationwide, 24 hours
• 1669 = medical emergency and ambulance, free to call
• 199 = fire and rescue
• 1155 = Tourist Police, English-speaking, 24 hours, best first call for visitors
• 1672 = Tourism Authority of Thailand information line (not emergency)
• 1196 = marine police for incidents on the water
• Emergency calls are free and work from phones with no credit
• Always ask for a police report slip after a crime or accident; insurers require it

Local tips

• Save 191, 1669, 199 and 1155 as phone contacts on your first day
• Keep your hotel address written in Thai to show or read to operators
• The official Thailand Tourist Police app offers SOS, chat and location sharing
• If language is a barrier, call 1155 first and let them coordinate