Emergency care in Thailand: who to call and what to do

The numbers to call

Thailand's medical emergency number is 1669. The UK government describes it as a free service run by the Ministry of Public Health that usually transfers callers to the nearest available hospital. Thailand's emergency medical system is coordinated by the National Institute for Emergency Medicine, established under the Emergency Medical Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and based at the Ministry of Public Health in Nonthaburi.

Other numbers listed by the UK government: 191 for the Royal Thai Police (also given as the general emergency line for ambulance, fire and police), 199 for fire, and 1155 for the Tourist Police. The UK guidance suggests 191 as the next step if the medical hotline cannot provide the response you need, and notes that 1155 also reaches the Tourist Assistance Centre, which can help if a government hospital does not provide a translator.

Many private hospitals run their own ambulance service and publish a direct emergency number. The UK guidance notes that there is usually a fee for this. If you are staying in one place for a while, look up the emergency department number of the nearest hospital now and save it alongside 1669.

In the first few minutes

If someone is seriously ill or injured, call 1669 first. Give the location as precisely as you can, using a nearby landmark, hotel name or the pin from a map app, and describe what has happened, how many people are affected and whether the person is conscious and breathing. If you cannot make yourself understood, ask someone nearby who speaks Thai to talk to the operator, or call the Tourist Police on 1155.

Stay with the person if it is safe to do so, and follow the call handler's instructions. This guide is not a substitute for first-aid training or for the advice of the emergency service; if in doubt, ask the operator or a doctor.

For an urgent problem that is not life-threatening, such as a deep cut, a suspected fracture or a high fever, going directly to a hospital emergency department may be quicker than waiting for an ambulance. Choose a hospital that can treat the problem: outside Bangkok and the provincial capitals, and particularly on the southern islands, the UK guidance warns that many government facilities are not equipped to deal with major trauma.

What to bring to the emergency department

Your passport, or the patient's. The UK government states that showing a passport is mandatory to receive treatment at both public and private hospitals in Thailand. A photo on your phone is a useful back-up but may not be accepted on its own.

Your insurance details: the policy number and the insurer's 24-hour assistance number. Hospitals and doctors often need to confirm insurance before treatment, even in an emergency, and the Australian Embassy warns that without it you may have to pay cash up front, with costs that can be very high.

A list of current medicines, allergies and relevant medical conditions, ideally in English and with generic drug names. If you take prescription medicines, bring the packaging or a copy of the prescription. A phone charger and some cash are also worth taking, since a visit can be long.

Paying for emergency treatment

The UK government's guidance is blunt: treatment, even in an emergency, is rarely free of charge. The UK travel advice adds that all hospitals require a guarantee of payment before treating patients. If you are insured, call your insurer or its assistance company as soon as you can and ask it to contact the hospital directly. If you are paying yourself, expect a deposit, especially if you are admitted, and ask for itemised receipts.

Thailand also has UCEP (Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients), a scheme for patients in a critical, life-threatening condition. Under revised rules approved by the Cabinet on 15 September 2026, facilities must treat critical emergency patients immediately in line with professional standards and their capabilities, must not make that treatment conditional on payment, and must continue treating until 72 hours after admission. Claims for the first 72 hours go to the National Health Security Office; costs after that go to the relevant fund, agency or patient.

The same rules say that patients who hold motor-vehicle, life or non-life insurance must use those entitlements first, and that patients pay their own costs if they refuse a transfer once no longer critical or choose another facility. Whether a case counts as a critical emergency is decided at triage, and patients can appeal the classification to the National Institute for Emergency Medicine within 90 days. The reports we read do not address how UCEP applies to foreign visitors, so it is not a substitute for insurance.

After the emergency

Before you leave the hospital, ask for a medical report in English, a copy of any imaging, an itemised bill and the receipts. Your insurer will usually need all of these. If you are admitted, the UK guidance notes that uninsured patients may receive regular, sometimes daily, invoices.

Tell your insurer, and if needed your travel provider, about the incident promptly. If you are seriously ill or need to be repatriated, your embassy may be able to help with information and contact with family, but the UK and Australian governments both state they cannot pay medical bills.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. GOV.UK — Thailand travel advice: Getting help
2. GOV.UK — Healthcare and medical services in Thailand
3. GOV.UK — Thailand travel advice: Health
4. Australian Embassy Thailand — Medical information
5. WHO South-East Asia — National Institute for Emergency Medicine (institute details)
6. The Star (The Nation/ANN) — Thai Cabinet revises 72-hour emergency care rules, 15 September 2026