Last month, my son and I took a dok dok from Airport Plaza to Index Livingmall, 120 bahts, to buy furniture for at least one br so that I could live in the house instead of in a hotel the next time I'm up there. After we were done and came out to the super highway there was no taxi, dok dok, or songtaew in sight. We went back in and asked the sales girl how we could get back to the Imperial Hotel. She called a songtaew for us -B120. Pretty dumb of us, uh?

I thought that many local residents of CM may want to provide some numbers to call in case of emergency like: dangerous animals getting in your compound, calling for ambulance, police, power out, etc. Some numbers may depend on locales so please specify. I think it's essential to keep these numbers handy particularly there's only one driver in the house like in my case. To start off, my house is in Amphur Doi Saket but the electricity and water are provided by San Kampaeng. Thanks to the contributors in advance.

Oh, I just looked at the bill from the CM Airport Taxi Co-operative Ltd., here are the inf:

053-201-307, 053-922-128, www.chiangmaiairporttaxi.com

If you look in the last couple of pages of the free magazines you find in most restaurants (the Dukes always has a stack of them) you'll see an entire page dedicated to the information that you seek, telephone numbers for just about everything.

Edited October 23, 201114 yr by chiang mai

Sorry, I know your intention is good but I have to laugh to a certain extent at some things like "dangerous animals getting in your compound, calling for ambulance, police...".

One time I had several snakes on the property (apparently there was a nest) and tried to get help..."no way, not possible, find someone from a village to help" was the reply from a couple of numbers we were given.

Also, don't bother calling Chiang Mai taxi at night. They are closed and there is no answer. I found that out last month when I was trying to book a taxi to the airport for 6:00 A.M. the following morning.

As for an ambulance, most of them can not find your address. They would never be able to find my place. In 4 years the only person to ever find my place was the young guy who works for Meals on Wheels! No joke. Getting anyone here involves 3 or 4 phone calls while they are endlessly driving around trying to find my place. Do like the Thais and get someone to cart you to the hospital in the back of a pickup truck. It will be your only hope if you want to get there quick.

As for the police, don't bother with that either. A friend of mine was robbed in the middle of the night in his home near Hang Dong. The thief actually went into his bedroom where he and his wife were sleeping to empty out the desk and purse, wallet, etc. They were scared shitless. They called the police when they heard the thief exit the house. It took 2 days for them to get there.

After being here a few years now, my opinion of the police is that they serve no purpose at all. I've dealt with them a couple of times. Both times they had no interest in being of any help whatsoever. The only use for them I have found is, if you know one personally, you can get tickets 'fixed' for 100-200 Baht.

As for transportation, that's easy. If you catch a ride with a songtaew, taxi, or tuk tuk driver that you like, ask them for their phone number. Most of them carry business cards. That way you can call them direct if you are stuck. There are also guys at the Thai Markets who will transport your groceries and supplies back to your home in their motorcycle sidecars for like 40 Baht. They too, have their phone number posted on their sidecar. Those guys are quite handy. A long time ago before we had a car, our old Golden Retriever got very sick and we thought we would lose her in the middle of the night. We called one of those guys and he was at our place in less than 10 minutes to transport our dog to the emergency veterinary clinic. He was very kind and caring and only charged us about 60 Baht to come in the middle of the night and haul our dog. We tried to give him 150 but he absolutely refused.

Edited October 23, 201114 yr by elektrified

They called the police when they heard the thief exit the house. It took 2 days for them to get there.

Dummy police, don't move very fast.

I think the OP's post makes a point - can't have too many transport and emergency numbers to try.

Edited October 23, 201114 yr by uptheos

Agree and disagree here.

I called Chiang Mai Ram Emergency at 2 am a couple of years back and despite repeated calls, it took over an hour for an ambulance to arrive, even although it was a 10 minute drive away at that time of night. Had it been a medical emergency the outcome might have been fatal. I hope Ram has improved the response time since then.

If it's an option, getting a neighbour to drive you to a hospital is obviously the best.

On the other hand, I've called 191 (motorcycle mobile police) several times over the years, and got a rapid response on each occasion even though the situations did not involve serious crimes.

Maybe I was just lucky, but I was very impressed by this.

Sorry, I know your intention is good but I have to laugh to a certain extent at some things like "dangerous animals getting in your compound, calling for ambulance, police...".

One time I had several snakes on the property (apparently there was a nest) and tried to get help..."no way, not possible, find someone from a village to help" was the reply from a couple of numbers we were given.

Also, don't bother calling Chiang Mai taxi at night. They are closed and there is no answer. I found that out last month when I was trying to book a taxi to the airport for 6:00 A.M. the following morning.

As for an ambulance, most of them can not find your address. They would never be able to find my place. In 4 years the only person to ever find my place was the young guy who works for Meals on Wheels! No joke. Getting anyone here involves 3 or 4 phone calls while they are endlessly driving around trying to find my place. Do like the Thais and get someone to cart you to the hospital in the back of a pickup truck. It will be your only hope if you want to get there quick.

As for the police, don't bother with that either. A friend of mine was robbed in the middle of the night in his home near Hang Dong. The thief actually went into his bedroom where he and his wife were sleeping to empty out the desk and purse, wallet, etc. They were scared shitless. They called the police when they heard the thief exit the house. It took 2 days for them to get there.

After being here a few years now, my opinion of the police is that they serve no purpose at all. I've dealt with them a couple of times. Both times they had no interest in being of any help whatsoever. The only use for them I have found is, if you know one personally, you can get tickets 'fixed' for 100-200 Baht.

As for transportation, that's easy. If you catch a ride with a songtaew, taxi, or tuk tuk driver that you like, ask them for their phone number. Most of them carry business cards. That way you can call them direct if you are stuck. There are also guys at the Thai Markets who will transport your groceries and supplies back to your home in their motorcycle sidecars for like 40 Baht. They too, have their phone number posted on their sidecar. Those guys are quite handy. A long time ago before we had a car, our old Golden Retriever got very sick and we thought we would lose her in the middle of the night. We called one of those guys and he was at our place in less than 10 minutes to transport our dog to the emergency veterinary clinic. He was very kind and caring and only charged us about 60 Baht to come in the middle of the night and haul our dog. We tried to give him 150 but he absolutely refused.

Loads of info in the pinned threads up top.

Main ones, as anywhere with in Muang Thai:

Eme: 191

Amb: 1669

Tou pol: 1155

Dir enq: 1133

Op: 100

Oh, and if you ask for a 'tuk-tuk', you may get more takers .

chiang mai: Yes, the next time I visit a restaurant I will pick up a magazine and jog down some numbers.

electrified: Your post is in fact very helpful. It reminds us always to keep some spares. Thus, the follow-on post by uptheos should be kept in mind.

jko: Nice gesture - giving credit when it's due.

jackr: Thanks. Those numbers are valid anywhere in Thailand, I assume. I always get this 191 messed up with 911 though I have never used eithe.

Thanks to everyone!

I tell you a good contact to have, although I've never come across such a number, is for some kind or vehicle recovery service. Getting a puncture on a motorcycle while taking a lone tip around the Samoeng Loop, or the more isolated roads of Mae Wang for example, would certainly give a little piece of mind on such outings.

If anyone does happen to know of such a service, please pass on the details

Aitch

I tell you a good contact to have, although I've never come across such a number, is for some kind or vehicle recovery service. Getting a puncture on a motorcycle while taking a lone tip around the Samoeng Loop, or the more isolated roads of Mae Wang for example, would certainly give a little piece of mind on such outings.

If anyone does happen to know of such a service, please pass on the details

Aitch

Excellent post Drew.

GTRider mentions Joe's Bike Team:

"If you're on your own big bike & need a lift back into Chiang Mai, German Joe at Joe's Bike Team provides a breakdown service. Joe's Bike Team, 26/1 Soi 2 Chang Moi Rd. Tel: +66053251186. Prices start at 300 baht inside Chiang Mai city. Up country pickups cost 500 baht + 7 baht per kilometre."

Also some of the insurance firms offer 24-hour breakdown (perhaps even TV), though don't know about bikes.

Wherever one is though, usually just a matter of flagging someone down and bunging a few hundred baht in the sky rocket. Thais won't be long in stopping when they see a stranded farang. They're good like that.