Thai authorities have introduced a new app for tourists to ensure their safety, as part of their efforts to restore international confidence in the country’s reputation as a premier travel destination.
The move came amid a recent surge in cases where foreign nationals were targeted by cross-border scam syndicates using Thailand as a transit hub to neighboring country Myanmar.
The “Thailand Tourist Police” app, introduced last month, allows tourists to send messages, photos, and location data for inquiries or emergencies.
It connects to the “1155” tourist police hotline, which operates 24/7 in eight languages and coordinates with the “191” emergency hotline for rapid response.
Tourists in need of urgent help can click on the red “SOS” button shown on the app’s main page, and the app will connect you with local police immediately.
Thai authorities said the tourist police hotline and the app have received around 1,000 reports since its introduction, with about 200 emergency calls received in a single day on Monday (Jan 13).
These reports include accidents, crimes, or immigration issues, it said, adding that there have been no reports of individuals being trapped in Thailand or neighboring areas.
