The numbers to save before you ever need them β police, ambulance, fire and the English-speaking Tourist Police β plus Chiang Mai's 24-hour ER hospitals, the burning-season health line, and exactly what to do in a medical emergency, a motorbike accident, a theft or a lost passport.
Thailand doesn't use a single all-purpose emergency number, so put these in your phone today: 191 for police, 1669 for a medical emergency or ambulance, and 199 for fire and rescue. If your Thai is limited β as it is for most new arrivals β the number that matters most is 1155, the Tourist Police, staffed 24/7 with English-speaking operators who can then bring in whatever service you need. Below are the full nationwide numbers, Chiang Mai's best English-speaking 24-hour ER hospitals, the burning-season air-quality health line, and step-by-step guidance for the situations foreigners hit most here: a medical emergency, a motorbike accident and a lost passport. For hospital quality, costs and insurance, pair this with the Chiang Mai healthcare guide; to avoid trouble in the first place, see the Chiang Mai safety guide.
The core lines are toll-free and answered around the clock. When in doubt as a foreigner, start with the Tourist Police (1155) β they will coordinate the rest.
| Service | Number | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Police (general emergency) | 191 | The universal police line for any crime or emergency. Operators may have limited English β for foreigners, 1155 is often the better first call. |
| Medical emergency / ambulance | 1669 | The national emergency medical hotline (24hr, free). Dispatches the nearest ambulance to your location in Chiang Mai. English can be limited, so state your location clearly or have a Thai speaker help. |
| Tourist Police (English-speaking) | 1155 | The single most useful number for foreigners. Round-the-clock English (and other languages) β use it for any incident, from a scooter accident to theft to being scammed. |
| Fire & rescue | 199 | Fire, rescue and hazardous incidents nationwide. |
| Highway / traffic police | 1193 | For accidents and incidents on the superhighway, the outer ring roads and inter-city routes such as the road up to Doi Suthep or out to Mae Rim. |
| Disease Control / health hotline | 1422 | The Department of Disease Control line β useful in the burning season for advice on smoke-related symptoms and PM2.5 health guidance, and for general public-health questions. |
| Tourist assistance / TAT | 1672 | The Tourism Authority of Thailand call centre β general help, directions and guidance (not for life-threatening emergencies). |
| Immigration Bureau hotline | 1178 | For visa, overstay and 90-day reporting questions (not emergencies). |
For a serious but stable emergency, going straight to a private-hospital A&E is often faster than waiting for an ambulance. These hospitals run 24-hour emergency departments with English-speaking staff; save the one nearest your home. Bring your passport and insurance details β private hospitals expect payment or proof of cover.
| Hospital | Area | Main / emergency line |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai | Superhighway / Nong Pa Khrang | +66 52 089 888 |
| Chiang Mai Ram Hospital | Bunruangrit Rd (near the Old City) | +66 53 920 300 |
| Lanna Hospital | Superhighway / Chang Phuak | +66 53 999 777 |
| McCormick Hospital | Kaew Nawarat Rd (Wat Ket) | +66 53 921 777 |
| Sriphat Medical Center (CMU) | Suan Dok / Suthep | +66 53 936 900 |
| Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai (public) | Suan Dok / Suthep | +66 53 936 150 |
Numbers change β confirm your nearest hospital's current emergency line and save it. See the healthcare guide for costs, insurance and how the system works.
Chiang Mai's one seasonal health hazard is the smoke. From roughly February to April, agricultural and forest burning across the north pushes PM2.5 to among the highest readings in the world β it is a real medical issue, not just haze. Check air quality daily on IQAir or the government Air4Thai service, keep well-fitting N95 masks on hand, and run an air purifier indoors with windows shut. Anyone with asthma, COPD or heart disease, and the elderly, pregnant women and young children, should be especially careful. For advice on smoke-related symptoms, call the 1422 Disease Control health hotline; if you have breathing difficulty, chest tightness or a cough that won't settle, go to a hospital β the private ERs see a surge of respiratory cases every burning season. The weather guide covers the seasons and haze in more detail.
For a life-threatening situation, call 1669 for an ambulance and state your exact location β a building name, a nearby temple or landmark, or a Google Maps pin helps enormously. If you can't get through in English, ask a Thai speaker nearby, hotel staff or your condo's front desk to call for you. For a serious but stable case, a Grab or taxi to a private-hospital A&E is frequently quicker than the ambulance. Carry your passport and insurance card, and if you have travel or health insurance, phone their 24-hour assistance line early β many will guarantee payment directly to the hospital so you avoid a large upfront deposit.
A scooter accident is the most common serious incident foreigners have in Chiang Mai, so know the drill. One: if anyone is injured, call 1669 for an ambulance and move to safety. Two: call the police on 191, or the Tourist Police on 1155 for English help, and wait for them β for insurance and any rental claim, don't move the bikes or leave until the scene is documented. Three: photograph everything β the vehicles, their positions, damage, plates and the other party's details β and never admit fault on the spot. Four: notify your rental shop. Two things quietly decide whether your insurer pays: whether you wore a helmet and whether you held a valid motorcycle licence β many travel and health policies void a claim without both, so wear a helmet every time and carry the right licence. Keep the police report for your claim. The safety guide covers road risks and the common scams in more depth.
Work through it in order. One: file a police report β visit a local station or call the Tourist Police (1155); you'll need the report for both a replacement and immigration. Two: contact your embassy or nearest consulate to apply for an emergency travel document or a new passport (bring the police report, photos and any ID copy you have) β several countries keep honorary consuls in Chiang Mai, though a full passport usually routes through the Bangkok embassy. Three: because your passport carries your visa and entry stamp, report to Chiang Mai Immigration so your visa details are transferred to the new document before you travel. The whole process is far faster if you keep a photo or photocopy of your passport photo page and visa stamp stored separately β do this before anything goes wrong. For visa and reporting matters, see the Chiang Mai immigration office guide.
There isn't one single number as in some countries β Thailand uses separate lines. Save these three: 191 for police, 1669 for a medical emergency or ambulance, and 199 for fire and rescue. As a foreigner, the number to call first is usually 1155, the Tourist Police, because it is staffed around the clock with English-speaking operators who can then coordinate the right service for you anywhere in Chiang Mai.
Dial 1669, the national emergency medical hotline β it is free, operates 24 hours and dispatches the nearest ambulance. English can be limited, so state your location as clearly as possible (a building name, a nearby temple or a Google Maps pin helps) or ask a Thai speaker to call. In practice, many expats with a serious but stable condition take a Grab or taxi straight to a private-hospital A&E such as Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai or Chiang Mai Ram, which is often faster than waiting for an ambulance.
From roughly February to April, agricultural and forest burning pushes Chiang Mai's PM2.5 to among the worst levels in the world. It is a genuine health issue, not just a nuisance. Check the air quality daily on an app such as IQAir or the government Air4Thai service, keep a supply of well-fitting N95 masks, and run an air purifier indoors with windows shut. Anyone with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or who is elderly, pregnant or caring for young children should take it especially seriously. For advice on smoke-related symptoms you can call the 1422 health hotline, and if you have breathing difficulty, chest tightness or a persistent cough that won't settle, go to a hospital β the private ERs handle a surge of respiratory cases every burning season.
Scooter and motorbike accidents are the single most common serious incident for foreigners in Chiang Mai. If anyone is injured, call 1669 for an ambulance. Call the police on 191 (or the Tourist Police on 1155 for English) and wait for them β for insurance and any rental claim, do not move the bikes or leave until police document the scene. Photograph everything: the vehicles, positions, damage, licence plates and the other party's details. Notify your rental shop. Two things quietly decide whether your travel or health insurer pays out: whether you were wearing a helmet, and whether you held a valid motorcycle licence β many policies void a claim without both, so always wear a helmet and carry the right licence.
Yes. The Tourist Police hotline, 1155, is specifically set up for foreign visitors and residents, with English-speaking operators (and access to interpreters in other languages) available 24/7. It is the best single number to save if your Thai is limited β they handle theft, scams, accidents and general trouble, and will loop in the regular police, ambulance or fire service as needed.
First, file a police report (visit a local police station or call the Tourist Police on 1155) β you'll need the report to get a replacement and to satisfy immigration. Then contact your embassy or the nearest consulate to apply for an emergency travel document or a new passport; several countries have honorary consuls in Chiang Mai, but a new passport usually routes through the embassy in Bangkok. Finally, because your passport holds your visa and entry stamp, report to Chiang Mai Immigration to have your visa details transferred to the new document before you travel. Keep a photo or photocopy of your passport photo page and visa stamp stored separately β it makes the whole process far quicker.
Yes β Chiang Mai's leading private hospitals such as Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Ram and Lanna run modern 24-hour emergency departments with English-speaking staff, and the university's Sriphat/Maharaj Nakorn complex at Suan Dok offers strong tertiary care. Standards are high and, by Western measures, comparatively affordable, but private hospitals will expect payment or proof of insurance, so carry your insurance details. Public hospitals are cheaper but busier and less English-friendly. For a fuller picture of costs and insurance, see the Chiang Mai healthcare guide.
This guide is general information for relocation planning, not medical, safety or legal advice. Phone numbers and hospital details change β confirm current contacts with local authorities, your embassy and the Tourist Police, and in any emergency call the official lines above.
Primary and official sources are cited above. Government rules, fees and procedures in Thailand change over time and vary by office; always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before relying on them. BAANLYY never takes paid placement in editorial content.
Emergency numbers saved β now sort your hospital and insurance, understand the neighbourhoods, and match a home to your budget.
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