Thailand adopts 911 as emergency number

[webfact]

Thailand adopts 911 as emergency number


Everyone in Thailand can now dial 911 for emergencies, 24 hours a day. Photo: Yahoo! Accessibility Lab

PHUKET: -- Thailand has officially adopted 911 as its emergency hotline number, confirmed Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada.

The decision to implement the emergency number was due to tourists' familiarity with the 911 hotline number already, prompting several other countries to implement its use as well.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Thailand-adopts-911-emergency-number/62454?desktopversion


-- Phuket Gazette 2015-11-26

[chinostar]

Yeah and will they actually pick up the phone?

[jerojero]

And the police will come running to a farang call, literally. 555

[empireboy]

Good thinking!

[evadgib]

What measures are afoot re calls from non-Thai speakers?

Edited November 26, 2015 by evadgib

[NickJ]

The entire number is 800-911-HELP....it gets re-routed to India for billing.......

[LannaGuy]

Surprised they did not adopt the China numbers 119, 110 and 120 obviously a unified 911 is much better so let's all say... THANKS USA

[somo]

Does this mean american cops will respond to distress calls or do we have to put +1 in front?

[tolsti]

Nope.... Not enough donut shops.

[NCC1701A]

Does this mean american cops will respond to distress calls or do we have to put +1 in front?

Be careful what you ask for.

[SOTIRIOS]

.......'bout time.....

[metisdead]

A post containing a profane acronym has been removed.

[dageurreotype]

Hilarity aside I did once try this number when a burglar had entered my house in the early hours of the morning. I'd expected no response, but a car and two bikes showed up. However, some years later, when a streetlight had caught fire and was endangering the soi, they hung up. So. Bit pot luck.

[BngkkB]

I was once taken on a tour of a police station by a very proud police officer. He opened a Dior to show me the communication room. No one was in the room and the phone was ringing. I asked if he wanted to answer it? He told me he could not as he was busy showing me around.

[RubbaJohnny]

I was once taken on a tour of a police station by a very proud police officer. He opened a Dior to show me the communication room. No one was in the room and the phone was ringing. I asked if he wanted to answer it? He told me he could not as he was busy showing me around.

Was it TeerakDior on 711

she gives little stamps when you get enough you can wina doormat that goes dingdong

[sanukjim]

And we will be reading someplace how TOT invented the concept.

[sanukjim]

And we will be reading someplace how TOT invented the concept.

Yea they was just letting other countries try it out first.

[rkidlad]

Geesh

[waldroj]

It seemed strange to me that this would be confirmed a provincial governor, and not by a national spokesperson (given its importance to the public).

So, I did a web search, and found that Pattaya Daily News reported the story back in July (http://pattayadailynews.com/911-emergency-thailand/).

Then, I clicked on the Full Story link to the Phuket Gazette, and it all became clear!

“The Cabinet approved the use of the number months ago,” said Governor Chamroen. “For some reason, the public relations campaign never really took off. Therefore, I felt the need to make the announcement that everyone can now dial 911 for emergencies, 24 hours a day.”

Looks as if Governor Chamroen has a bit more civic nouse than the cabinet when it comes to alerting the Thai people about getting help in an emergency.

[Thongkorn]

I wonder how many dopes phone 7/11 when in a rush.

[Cuchulainn]

So it has already officially adopted this important emergency number? Nothing like full-on blanket advertising to let everyone know. This is the first I've ever heard of it.

[arunsakda]

"Help I'm being chased by a crazed Taxi driver on YaBa with a machete, a Sweaty ladyboy tried to pick my pocket, and I just saw a Chinese tourist drop trou and take a dump in the gutter in front of Starbucks!"

"Arai Na?"

Click

[Time Traveller]

It seemed strange to me that this would be confirmed a provincial governor, and not by a national spokesperson (given its importance to the public).

So, I did a web search, and found that Pattaya Daily News reported the story back in July (http://pattayadailynews.com/911-emergency-thailand/).

Then, I clicked on the Full Story link to the Phuket Gazette, and it all became clear!

“The Cabinet approved the use of the number months ago,” said Governor Chamroen. “For some reason, the public relations campaign never really took off. Therefore, I felt the need to make the announcement that everyone can now dial 911 for emergencies, 24 hours a day.”

Looks as if Governor Chamroen has a bit more civic nouse than the cabinet when it comes to alerting the Thai people about getting help in an emergency.

I think the government PR department was busy promoting the more important things, like the bike for mom event.

[Howitzer]

Surprised they did not adopt the China numbers 119, 110 and 120 obviously a unified 911 is much better so let's all say... THANKS USA

Sounds like someone is butt hurt about how close China and Thailand are.

Edited November 26, 2015 by Howitzer

[Alration]

What measures are afoot re calls from non-Thai speakers?

Probably the same measures that other countries have for those who can't speak their country's language, just like your own country.

[Alration]

So it has already officially adopted this important emergency number? Nothing like full-on blanket advertising to let everyone know. This is the first I've ever heard of it.

You can still call 191, you know, the original one that we all know even without "full-on blanket advertising".

[Cuchulainn]

I thought they had replaced 191 with 911!! So, both numbers are operational?

[dhream]

"Help I'm being chased by a crazed Taxi driver on YaBa with a machete, a Sweaty ladyboy tried to pick my pocket, and I just saw a Chinese tourist drop trou and take a dump in the gutter in front of Starbucks!"

"Arai Na?"

Click

Yes, and were you wearing suggestive clothing when these crimes occurred? If so you were asking for it!

[dhream]

Don't all modern devices worldwide call local emergency services when 911 is dialed regardless?

That's part of the reason why they call them smart phones.

[attrayant]

This just in - Apple releases update to its iPhone in response to numerous complains from Thai users that they are unable to dial the new 9-11 emergency number.

Edited November 27, 2015 by attrayant