Bangkok Emergency Card

Tourist Police / Authorities

• Tourist Police Division
  +66 2 134 0521
  Ratchadaphisek Road — dedicated tourist unit
• Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
  1672
  Official info; will confirm no street tours

First 10 minutes if something happens

1. 1.Get to a safe, public spot (café, hotel lobby, shop) and call Tourist Police (English) on 1155 if anyone is hurt or in immediate danger.
2. 2.Freeze cards immediately in your bank app (do this before calling the bank — it's faster). Revoke Apple Pay / Google Pay from a trusted device if your phone was taken.
3. 3.Change the password on your primary email from a trusted device, then sign out of every other session. Email is the master key to everything else.
4. 4.Contact Tourist Police Division on +66 2 134 0521 to file a report — you'll need the reference number for insurance, banks, and your embassy.

Full 8-step checklist at gacs.app/safe-traveller/bangkok

Top 5 scams to watch for

1. 1. 'Grand Palace is closed today'
   A friendly local or tuk-tuk driver claims the temple is closed for a ceremony and offers a cheap city tour instead.
   Avoid: The Grand Palace is open every day 8:30am–3:30pm. Only closes for state occasions announced in advance.
   If it happens: Walk away and go straight to the official entrance.
2. 2. Gem / tailor tuk-tuk scam
   A 20-baht 'city tour' ends at gem shops where you're pressured into buying 'export quality' stones worth nothing.
   Avoid: Never buy gems in Thailand unless you are a certified gemologist.
   If it happens: Do not sign anything. Do not pay by card in the shop — you will lose chargeback rights.
3. 3. Jet-ski damage claim (Pattaya / Phuket ripple in Bangkok)
   Rental operator claims you damaged the jet-ski and demands $500–$2,000 in cash.
   Avoid: Never hand over your passport as deposit — use a photocopy or cash.
   If it happens: Do not pay in cash. Call your embassy and Tourist Police 1155 immediately.
4. 4. Taxi 'meter broken' / 'flat rate'
   Taxi driver refuses to use the meter and quotes 3–5× the fair fare.
   Avoid: Use Grab or Bolt — fare fixed in-app.
   If it happens: Photograph the taxi licence plate (yellow, on rear).
5. 5. Ping-pong show entry fees
   Free-entry adult show turns into a $200 forced tab and 'security' blocks the door.
   Avoid: Do not enter any bar with a tout at the door.
   If it happens: Pay only what you can prove was on a displayed price list.