Thailand runs a dedicated Tourist Police bureau for foreigners — reachable free on 1155, around the clock, in English and other languages. Here is exactly what they handle, how they differ from the regular police on 191, how to file a report for insurance or a lost passport, how they help with scams, and where to find them. Save 1155 in your phone today.
1155 — Tourist Police. Free, nationwide, 24 hours, English-speaking. Dial it with no area code from any phone, even one with no credit. Use it for scams, theft, disputes, lost documents, or whenever the language barrier or simple uncertainty is the problem. For immediate life-or-death danger, dial 191 (police) or 1669 (ambulance) first — 1155 also connects you to them.
The Tourist Police are a specialised arm of the Royal Thai Police created to look after foreign visitors and long-stay residents — people who would otherwise hit a language wall the moment something goes wrong. They are not a separate justice system and they do not replace the regular police for serious crime; rather, they take your report in a language you understand and act as the bridge to the unit, hospital or embassy that needs to be involved. Think of 1155 as the front door for foreigners into Thailand’s policing and safety services. None of this is legal advice; it is a free reference, and services can change, so verify locally where it matters.
If it involves a foreigner and something has gone wrong, the Tourist Police are a reasonable first call. The main categories:
Theft, assault, fraud, harassment or anything that has happened to you as a visitor or resident — the Tourist Police take the first report in English and walk it to the right regular-police unit.
Gem and tailor scams, jet-ski and motorbike 'damage' demands, overcharging, rigged taxi meters, rental and deposit disputes — they mediate on the spot and know the playbook of every common con.
They help you file the police report (bai jaeng khwam) you need for an insurance claim or to replace a lost passport, and point you to the right station and your embassy.
They translate and relay between you, the regular police (191), hospitals, ambulances (1669) and your embassy — the bridge when the language barrier is the real problem.
Unsure who to call, being followed, a dispute escalating, stranded late at night — 1155 is a safe default that will direct or dispatch help.
This is the distinction newcomers most often get stuck on. The regular police (191) are the nationwide force handling all crime and emergencies; English on the line and at the station can be limited. The Tourist Police (1155) specialise in foreigners, operate in English and other languages, and coordinate with the regular police, hospitals and embassies on your behalf. They overlap, but the trigger for which to call is simple:
For the full list of lines — fire, disaster, marine, traffic, embassy — see our emergency numbers guide.
Operators handle English, and the bureau supplements its officers with a Foreign Tourist Police Assistant volunteer programme that brings in additional language speakers, concentrated in the busiest destinations. Commonly available, depending on location and time:
Availability of any specific language varies, so keep your explanation simple, have the key facts written down, and where you can, have a Thai speaker — a hotel receptionist or condo guard — help. If you need a language other than English when you call 1155, just ask and they will try to route you.
For an insurance claim, a lost or stolen passport, or any formal follow-up, you need a Thai police report — the bai jaeng khwam. The process:
Having the Tourist Police attend or translate removes most of the friction. This is general information, not legal advice — for a serious matter, consider a lawyer alongside your embassy.
Helping scammed and overcharged foreigners is core Tourist Police work, and they know the recurring cons cold: gem and tailor “special deal” scams, jet-ski and rental-vehicle “damage” demands, deposit disputes, meter and tuk-tuk overcharging, and dishonest tour or ticket sellers. If you are caught in one, do not escalate the confrontation yourself — keep receipts, photos and messages, then call 1155 or go to the nearest Tourist Police office. They will mediate, tell you whether it is a civil or criminal matter, and help you file a report if needed; often their involvement alone resolves an overcharging dispute. Knowing the common scams in advance is the best defence — pair this with our Bangkok safety guide.
The Tourist Police concentrate offices and desks wherever foreign visitors do — airports, beach resorts and major city districts. A rough map:
Headquarters plus desks at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports and in major tourist districts (Sukhumvit, Khao San, Silom).
A large, busy tourist-police presence given the volume of foreign visitors and long-stay residents.
Offices in Patong and around the island's main beaches and the airport.
City-centre office serving the north's expat and digital-nomad community.
Seasonal and permanent desks in the main island and beach destinations.
Office locations and hours change; the 1155 phone line is the reliable constant and will direct you to the nearest desk. Verify current addresses with the Tourist Police or Tourism Authority of Thailand before travelling to one.
The work is done before the crisis, not during it. Save 1155, 191 and 1669 in your phone with clear labels; store a photo of your passport ID page and visa on your phone and in the cloud; note your home address in Thai and your building’s office number; and save your embassy’s 24-hour line and your insurance emergency-assistance number. A registered Thai SIM matters too, because callbacks and apps hinge on a local number — see our SIM card guide. Five minutes now turns a panicked moment into a quick call.
Knowing who to call is step one. Step two is a managed building with 24-hour security in a well-located area — close to transit, hospitals and the help you might need.
General reference only — not legal or safety advice. The Tourist Police hotline, office locations, operating hours and language availability in Thailand can change; verify the current details with official Royal Thai Police, Tourist Police and Tourism Authority of Thailand sources before relying on anything above. In a life-threatening emergency, call the relevant Thai emergency number immediately. BAANLYY never takes paid placement.