Tourist Police: what they do and how they help visitors

The Tourist Police (hotline 1155) are a dedicated branch of the Royal Thai Police focused on visitors. For a tourist on Koh Samui, they are usually the most useful first call when something goes wrong but is not immediately life-threatening: theft, scams, rental disputes, lost documents, feeling unsafe, or simply not knowing which authority to contact. Operators speak English and several other languages, and officers can translate, mediate between you and a local business, and coordinate with regular police, hospitals and your embassy. For an immediate life-or-death emergency, call 191 or 1669 first instead. The Tourist Police also run an official free app (Thailand Tourist Police / TPB app, on iOS and Android) with an SOS button, live chat and GPS-linked assistance; install it via the official Tourist Police or Tourism Authority of Thailand pages rather than from links sent by strangers. Practical points: for theft or scams, secure your bank cards first, keep receipts, photos, vehicle plates and a written timeline, and ask the police for a report reference, because your insurer will need it. The Tourist Police cannot force a business to refund you in a civil dispute, but their presence often de-escalates intimidation situations, and they will tell you which office handles your type of complaint.

Summary

Thailand's Tourist Police exist specifically to help foreign visitors. They speak English and other languages, handle theft and scam reports, mediate disputes such as rental damage claims, and connect tourists with police, hospitals and embassies. Reach them free on 1155, 24 hours a day.

Key facts

• Tourist Police hotline 1155 is free and staffed 24 hours
• Operators speak English and several other languages
• They help with theft, scams, disputes, lost documents and translation
• The official Thailand Tourist Police app offers SOS, chat and location sharing
• For immediate danger to life, call 191 or 1669 first
• A police report reference is usually required for insurance claims

Local tips

• Install the official Tourist Police app before your trip from an official store listing
• In a rental dispute, calmly state you will call 1155, then do it
• Keep photos and receipts ready before you call so the conversation is fast
• Your embassy is the right contact for lost passports and serious consular issues