Whether you live, work, or holiday in Thailand, you will need to know what to do in an emergency. We all know what to do in our home countries, but many expatriates do not know the numbers to call an ambulance in Thailand. You can be as fit as a butcher’s dog, but your life can get turned upside down in seconds when living in the Land of Smiles, which has some of the most deaths by traffic accidents worldwide. When you need an ambulance, Thailand has several numbers to call, and below is a summary of everything you need to know if you find yourself needing urgent medical care.
When You Are In Bangkok
The number for emergency medical services is different in Bangkok to the rest of the country, and they do have operatives that can speak English. When you find yourself needing an ambulance and emergency medical attention, you will need to call 1646. The services work slightly differently than in other countries, and various companies offer EMS services. It is on a first-come, first-served basis, and the emergency responders will give you the treatment you need and take you to the nearest hospital. You will get taken to a private hospital if you have medical insurance, and if not, you will get taken to the nearest government hospital.
Outside Of Bangkok
If you are outside of Bangkok when you find yourself needing urgent medical care, the number to call is 1669, which covers the rest of the country. The service works similarly to that in Bangkok, but you can find it takes longer for the first responders to get to you, especially if you are in the middle of nowhere.
Information You Will Need
Whether in or outside of Bangkok, you will need to provide information to get the emergency services to you quickly. They will need to know the precise location where the patient is and your telephone number so they can call you back if you get cut off. They will also want to know if you are with the patient, their vital stats, and whether they are conscious. They will need the name, age, and sex of the patient if known, and if you know them, they will also need information about their medical history if you know it.
Using the app what3words can help you give the precise location of the patient, and all you need do is sit back and wait for the ambulance to arrive. You or the injured or sick party can get the necessary medical attention and get taken to the hospital, where hopefully everything will be fine.
