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Thai Phrases for Emergencies

Hospital, police, allergies, and lost passports. Every safety phrase you need, all free -- because safety should never be locked.

17 phrases
7 min read
Free phonetic guides

You hope you never need these phrases. But if you do, knowing them could make a critical difference. Thailand is generally very safe for tourists, but emergencies happen -- food poisoning, allergic reactions, stolen belongings, or minor accidents. When stress is high and English is not available, having these phrases ready gives you a lifeline.

All 8 core emergency phrases below are free. We believe safety information should never be gated. The additional phrases cover less urgent but useful medical and consular situations.

Thailand Emergency Numbers

191 Police
1669 Ambulance
1155 Tourist Police (English)

Essential Emergency Phrases

8 critical safety phrases -- all free, because emergencies cannot wait.

Say: chûay dûay falling tone
Help! Thai: ช่วยด้วย

Shout this loudly in an emergency. Everyone understands it and people will come to help.

Say: dtông-gaan mŏr falling tone
I need a doctor Thai: ต้องการหมอ

Use at a hospital or when asking someone to help you find medical care.

Say: roong-pá-yaa-baan yòo tîi-năi falling tone
Where is the hospital? Thai: โรงพยาบาลอยู่ที่ไหน

Long but critical. Practice the pronunciation. Any Thai person can direct you.

Say: mâi sà-baai falling tone
I'm sick Thai: ไม่สบาย

General phrase for feeling unwell. Point to the affected area for more clarity.

Say: bpùat tóng falling tone
Stomachache Thai: ปวดท้อง

The most common traveler complaint. Pharmacists can help with this -- no doctor visit needed for mild cases.

Say: páe... falling tone
I'm allergic to... Thai: แพ้...

Critical for food allergies. Add the item after แพ้. For example: แพ้ถั่ว (allergic to peanuts), แพ้กุ้ง (allergic to shrimp).

Say: rîak dtam-rùat falling tone
Call the police Thai: เรียกตำรวจ

Use in serious situations like theft or assault. Tourist police (1155) speak English.

Say: tam pàat-bpòrt hăai falling tone
I lost my passport Thai: ทำพาสปอร์ตหาย

Go to the nearest police station first to file a report, then contact your embassy.

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Medical & Consular Phrases

6 additional phrases for pharmacies, insurance, and embassy contact.

Say: ráan kăai yaa yòo tîi-năi falling tone
Where is a pharmacy? Thai: ร้านขายยาอยู่ที่ไหน

Thai pharmacies can dispense many medications without a prescription. Very convenient for travelers.

Say: mee bprà-gan mid tone
I have insurance Thai: มีประกัน

Important to mention at private hospitals. They may ask to see your insurance card or policy number.

Say: kŏr bai-sèt rising tone
I need a receipt Thai: ขอใบเสร็จ

Essential for insurance claims. Ask for receipts at hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics.

Say: pôot paa-săa ang-grìt dâai mái falling tone
Can you speak English? Thai: พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม

Useful at hospitals and police stations. Many doctors in Bangkok speak English.

Say: roong-raem pŏm/dì-chăn... mid tone
My hotel is... Thai: โรงแรมผม/ดิฉัน...

Follow with the hotel name. Useful if you need to give your location or get directions back.

Say: dtông too sà-tăan-tôot falling tone
I need to call my embassy Thai: ต้องโทรสถานทูต

For lost passports, legal issues, or serious emergencies. Your embassy can provide consular assistance.

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What You'll Hear Back

Medical staff will ask you these questions. Understanding them speeds up treatment.

เจ็บตรงไหน jèp dtrong năi Where does it hurt?

A doctor or nurse asking you to indicate the painful area. Point and describe the pain.

แพ้อะไรไหม páe à-rai mái Allergic to anything?

Medical staff asking about allergies before treatment or medication. Always answer honestly.

มีประกันไหม mee bprà-gan mái Do you have insurance?

Hospital reception asking about insurance. Have your policy details ready for faster processing.

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From the Blog

Sick in Thailand: A Phrase-by-Phrase Guide Pharmacy visits, hospital check-in, describing symptoms, and insurance claims. Thai Medical Vocabulary and Body Parts Point-and-say body part vocabulary for doctor visits and pharmacies.

Related Guides

Getting Around Get to a hospital or police station by taxi. Hotels & Check-in Communicate issues to hotel staff. Numbers & Money Understand medical costs and phone numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the emergency numbers in Thailand?
191 for police, 1669 for ambulance/medical emergencies, and 1155 for the tourist police (English-speaking). Save these in your phone before arriving. The tourist police hotline at 1155 is the best first call for most travelers, as operators speak English and can coordinate with local services.
How do I say "I need help" in Thai?
Say ช่วยด้วย (chûay dûay) which means "help!" For a more specific request, say ต้องการหมอ (dtông-gaan mŏr, "I need a doctor") or เรียกตำรวจ (rîak dtam-rùat, "call the police"). In any emergency, speaking loudly and clearly will get attention from bystanders who are generally very willing to help foreigners.
Do Thai hospitals speak English?
Major private hospitals in Bangkok (Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej) have English-speaking staff and international patient departments. Provincial hospitals may have limited English. Public hospitals are less expensive but more crowded and less likely to have English-speaking staff. For emergencies, any hospital will treat you regardless of language.
How do I find a pharmacy in Thailand?
Ask ร้านขายยาอยู่ที่ไหน (ráan kăai yaa yòo tîi-năi). Pharmacies are everywhere in Thailand, often marked with a green cross. Many medications that require prescriptions in Western countries are available over the counter in Thailand. Pharmacists can recommend treatments for common ailments and often speak basic English.
What should I do if I lose my passport?
First, file a police report at the nearest station -- say ทำพาสปอร์ตหาย (tam pàat-bpòrt hăai). Then contact your embassy for an emergency replacement. Keep a photocopy or photo of your passport separately from the original. The tourist police (1155) can help you navigate the process in English. Embassies typically issue temporary travel documents within 1-3 business days.

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