The Tourist Police in Phuket are one of the most useful — and most underused — resources available to expats living on the island. Most people think of them as something for tourists who've lost a wallet in Patong. In reality, they're your best first call in a surprisingly wide range of situations, and their 1155 hotline has saved plenty of long-term residents from navigating Thai bureaucracy entirely alone.
After six years in Phuket, I've called 1155 twice — once after a rental car was damaged in a hit-and-run near Kata, and once when a neighbour's dog bit a family member and we needed help making an official report. Both times, the Tourist Police were professional, English-fluent, and genuinely helpful. Here's everything you need to know about using them effectively.
Key Numbers & Locations — Phuket Tourist Police
- Tourist Police national hotline: 1155 (24/7, English available)
- Main office: Chalong Bay Road, near Chalong Circle (open daily)
- Patong booth: Near Patong beach promenade / Bangla Road entrance
- Phuket Airport: Tourist Police presence in arrivals hall
- General emergency (police/ambulance/fire): 191
- Ambulance / medical: 1669
What Are the Tourist Police and What Can They Do?
The Tourist Police Division (กองบังคับการตำรวจท่องเที่ยว) is a specialist unit within the Royal Thai Police, specifically trained to assist foreign nationals. Unlike regular Thai police officers, Tourist Police recruits must demonstrate a working level of English (and often other languages), and they're trained in cultural sensitivity and the specific issues that affect foreign visitors and residents.
Crucially: they don't just help tourists. Despite the name, their mandate covers any foreign national in Thailand — including long-term expats, retirees, and business owners on non-tourist visas.
What the Tourist Police Can Help With
- Theft reports: If your phone, wallet, bag, or motorbike has been stolen, Tourist Police can accompany you to the nearest regular police station to make a formal report (which you'll need for insurance claims)
- Scam disputes: Gem scams, jet ski damage scams, overcharging — Tourist Police deal with these regularly and know the standard scams in Phuket
- Translation assistance: When dealing with Thai police, hospitals, or government offices and you need English interpretation
- Traffic accidents: After an accident involving a foreign national, Tourist Police can help navigate the process with regular police
- Natural disaster assistance: During emergencies like floods or after the 2004 tsunami, Tourist Police coordinate foreign national assistance
- Dispute resolution: Arguments with landlords, taxi drivers, or market vendors — they can mediate
- Harassment or assault: Initial response to cases involving foreign nationals
What the Tourist Police Cannot Do
- Handle visa matters — these go to Immigration (Phuket Immigration, Chalong)
- Conduct criminal investigations — serious crimes are handled by regular police
- Make arrests in most situations without regular police involvement
- Resolve civil disputes (contract disputes, property issues) — these require a lawyer
| Situation | Who to Call First | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Life-threatening emergency | 191 (Police/Emergency) / 1669 (Ambulance) | 1155 |
| Theft / robbery | 1155 Tourist Police | 191 |
| Road accident (no injuries) | 1155 Tourist Police | 191 |
| Scam / overcharging dispute | 1155 Tourist Police | Regular station |
| Lost passport | 1155 Tourist Police + your embassy | Immigration |
| Visa / overstay issue | Phuket Immigration Office | Immigration lawyer |
| Serious assault / crime | 191 then 1155 | Embassy |
| Natural disaster assistance | 1155 Tourist Police | 191 / 1784 NDWC |
The Tourist Police Offices in Phuket
Main Office: Chalong
The primary Phuket Tourist Police Division office is located on Chalong Bay Road, south of Chalong Circle (just past the BP petrol station heading towards Rawai). This is the main office for making formal reports, following up on cases, and meeting with Tourist Police officers. It's easy to reach by car or motorbike from Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata, and Karon.
Patong Beach Booth
There's a Tourist Police booth near the northern end of Patong beach promenade, close to the main entrance from Bangla Road. This is primarily a patrol-and-presence station rather than a full reporting office. For urgent help in Patong, calling 1155 gets you a faster response than walking to the booth.
Phuket International Airport
Tourist Police officers are present in the arrivals hall at Phuket International Airport, particularly during high season. If you encounter a scam at the airport or need immediate assistance upon arrival, they're there.
When calling 1155, be patient — during peak season (December–March) the line can be busy. State your name, location (be specific: "I'm at the north end of Patong beach near the Bangla Road entrance"), and the nature of your problem clearly. They may ask you to stay on the line or give you a reference number. Write it down.
How to Make a Police Report as an Expat in Phuket
Making a formal police report (a prachat document) is often required for insurance claims — if your phone is stolen, your rental car is damaged, or you've been assaulted. The Tourist Police can help you navigate this process, but here's what to expect:
Step-by-Step: Filing a Report
- Call 1155 — explain the situation and ask for Tourist Police to accompany you to the relevant regular police station
- Gather your documents — passport (or copy), any evidence (photos, receipts, witness contacts)
- Go to the relevant station — for Patong incidents, this is Patong Police Station on Phrabarami Road; for Rawai/Nai Harn/Chalong, it's Chalong Police Station
- Tourist Police officer will assist with translation — they'll help you communicate with the duty officer and ensure the report is accurate
- Get a copy of the report — with a reference number, officer name, and official stamp. This is what your insurer will need.
The whole process typically takes 1–3 hours depending on how busy the station is. Be patient, be polite, and bring snacks if you're going mid-afternoon — stations in Phuket can move slowly.
Protect Yourself With the Right Visa Status
Legal residency in Phuket makes every interaction with police and authorities much smoother. Thailand Elite and LTR visas provide long-term, hassle-free stays. Compare your options with a vetted Phuket visa specialist.
Explore Long-Stay Visa Options →Common Scams in Phuket Where Tourist Police Can Help
If you've been in Phuket for any length of time, you'll know that certain scams operate with frustrating regularity. The Tourist Police are well aware of them and are your best resource when you've been caught out:
The Jet Ski Damage Scam
This one still operates on some Phuket beaches, particularly in Patong. You rent a jet ski, return it, and the operator claims you've caused expensive damage (that was pre-existing). They demand payment and may become aggressive. If this happens: photograph the jet ski before you ride it, stay calm, don't pay on the spot, and call 1155 immediately. Tourist Police know this scam and have dealt with it for years. See our complete guide to Phuket scams for more.
Tuk-Tuk and Taxi Overcharging
While less of an issue with Grab (use it) and metered taxis, disputes over fares still happen. If a driver refuses to take a fair price or becomes threatening, note down the vehicle registration, call 1155, and ask for Tourist Police assistance.
Gem and Tailor Scams
You're told a special market is only open today, taken to a shop, and pressured into buying gems or made-to-measure suits at wildly inflated prices. Tourist Police can assist with disputes but recovering money is difficult — prevention is better. Read our cybercrime and scam guide for online scam variants.
Need Help Navigating a Legal Situation in Phuket?
From reporting procedures to finding the right lawyer, our team can point you in the right direction. First question is free.
Ask Our Phuket Team →Working With Your Embassy Alongside Tourist Police
For serious situations — arrest, hospitalisation, or death — your home country embassy or consulate is an essential parallel contact. Most embassies with representation in Thailand have consular offices in Bangkok and, in some cases, honorary consulates in Phuket. The Tourist Police can help coordinate with your embassy if needed.
Keep your embassy's emergency contact number in your phone. For UK citizens it's the British Embassy Bangkok consular emergency line. For Australians, the Smart Traveller registration and DFAT emergency line. Americans should register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program). These are your backstop if the Tourist Police escalation doesn't resolve a serious situation.
For a full reference list of emergency numbers in Phuket, see our complete emergency numbers guide. For fire safety, see our fire safety article. For overall expat safety in Phuket, the safety hub covers everything.