Telephone numbers in Thailand explained

Country:Thailand
Country Link:Thailand
Continent:Asia
Map Size:200px
Map Alt:Thailand
Country Calling Code:+66
International Prefix:00
Trunk Prefix:0
Nsn Length:8-9
Dial Plan Type:closed

Thailand's telephone numbering plan in Thailand is managed by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in accordance with International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) recommendation E.164.[1]

Geographic area codes

Geographic (fixed line) area codes are, excluding the STD prefix one digit in Bangkok and nearby provinces (area code 2) and two digits in all other provinces (area codes 3x, 4x, 5x, and 7x). In Thailand, an area code is usually shared by several provinces and roughly follows provincial borders.

Fixed-line subscriber numbers are six digits in Thailand (except Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan, i.e., area code 2). Prior to 1980, subscriber numbers were six digits in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan. In 1980, subscriber numbers in these areas were expanded to seven digits in phases to meet new demands. The first digit of a subscriber number is associated with a specific locale within the area code. In Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan, the second digit of a subscriber number identifies the service provider, which is almost always Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT), as TOT holds a near-monopoly of the Thai fixed-line market.

Thus, a full national number is 9 digits, including the STD prefix 0. When writing a telephone number with the area code, the area code and subscriber number are separated by a hyphen, also in the middle of subscriber number. Examples:

Thailand switched to a closed dialing plan in 2021, which means that calling within the area code requires the area code to be dialed. E.g., When calling a number 2134567 in Bangkok (02) from a fixed-line phone:

Area CodeArea Served
02Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon), Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Phutthamonthon (Nakhon Pathom)
032Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi
034Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom (except Phutthamonthon), Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram
035Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri
036Lop Buri, Saraburi, Sing Buri
037Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo
038Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong
039Chanthaburi, Trat
042Bueng Kan, Loei, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani
043Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Nam Nao (Phetchabun)
044Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin
045Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon
052Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son
053Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son
054Lampang, Nan, Phayao, Phrae
055Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Tak, Uttaradit, Sam Ngam, Wachirabarami (Phichit)
056Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun (except Nam Nao), Phichit (except Sam Ngam & Wachirabarami), Uthai Thani
073Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala
074Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla
075Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang
076Phang Nga, Phuket
077Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani

Mobile phone codes and IP telephony

Mobile phone codes are in area codes 8 and 9, and VoIP are in the area code 6, plus a second digit, resulting in two digits excluding the leading zero.

Originally, each mobile phone operator was issued one mobile phone code. Through a series of mergers, there are currently three major mobile phone operators: AIS, True and DTAC. As existing numbers run out, the three mobile phone operators are assigned numbers in code 081, distinguished by the first digit of the subscriber number.

A mobile phone number consists of a mobile phone code and a seven-digit subscriber number. Therefore, a mobile phone number is written as 0641163685

Mobile phones in Thailand use 900/1800 MHz for GSM. Domestic roaming service is available free within Thailand in places where there is only a single transmitter in place due to restrictions.

As codes are being exhausted, a new range, 09x, is available for assignment. Despite the length of the code, subscriber numbers are seven digits, resulting in a ten-digit national number including the leading zero. Starting 28 April 2011, the prefix 090 followed by seven digits was available for use.

CodeService
060TrueMove (VoIP)
061AIS
062AIS
063AIS[2]
064TRUE
065AIS
066DTAC
068 TOT (VoIP)
080-0 to 080-2AIS
080-3TrueMove
080-4 to 080-5DTAC
080-6AIS
081-0 to 081-2AIS
081-3 to 081-6DTAC
081-7 to 081-9AIS
082AIS
083TrueMove
084AIS
085DTAC
085-4AIS
086TrueMove
087AIS
088TrueMove
089TrueMove H
090DTAC
090-1AIS
090-9True Move H, AIS
091TrueMove H
092AIS
093AIS, TrueMove H
093-1AIS
093-5AIS
093-6AIS
094DTAC, TrueMove H
094-0 to 094-1TrueMove H[3]
094-22 to 094-23TrueMove H
095TrueMove H
095-6TrueMove H
095TrueMove H
096TrueMove H
097AIS, TrueMove H
098AIS
099AIS, TrueMove H
099-5TrueMove H

Non-geographical short codes and special numbers

CodeService
100Universal operator service (formerly fixed telephone and facsimile fault report)
101Operator assistance for domestic calls (to be combined to 100)
102 Operator service assistance (to be combined to 100)
1100 TOT
1111 Thai Government Call Center
1112 The Pizza Company
1133 Fixed telephone directory assistance
1150 KFC & Pizza Hut
1155 Tourist Police
1175 AIS
1188-xxx-xxxxPaging service (now abolished)
1193Highway Police
1242True Move, True Move H
1333Bangkok Bank (Bualuang Phone)
1401-xxx-xxxToll-free numbers
02-132-1888 & 1722Flights, Suvarnabhumi Airport
02-535-1192Flights, other airports
1586Department of Highway
1669Medical Emergency
1678DTAC
1690State Railway of Thailand
1691Ambulance Service Center
1711McDonald's
1800-xxx-xxxToll-free numbers (from landlines only)
1900-xxx-xxxPremium-rate telephone number
191Universal emergency service
199Fire Department
1266Major Development Pcl.
02-111-1111Krungthai Bank
02-777-7777Siam Commercial Bank (SCB Call Center)
02-888-8888KASIKORNBANK (K-Contact Center)

International dialling

International dialling from Thailand follows the following pattern: Carrier selection code – Country calling code – Area code (if required, usually for landlines) – Subscriber numberCarrier selection codes, which direct the call via one of several providers, are as follows:[4]

Emergency numbers

Thailand has nearly 100 "hotline" telephone numbers to call for assistance. They include 911 or 191 for emergencies,[5] fire, or unwanted intruding animals; 1699 or 1669 (or 1646 or 1554 in Bangkok) for medical emergencies; tourist police, 1155; car theft, 1192; a taxi refusing a trip, 1584; road accidents, 1146.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thailand (country code +66) Communication of 11.VII.2021. International Telecommunication Union (ITU). National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). 2021-01-15.
  2. Web site: Bernumchok . 2016-02-02 . 2016-02-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160202152345/http://www.bernumchok.com/home/mean.php?selectSummary=38&NetworkSearch=AIS . dead .
  3. Web site: Bernumchok . 2016-07-04 . 2016-08-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160813040144/http://www.bernumchok.com/home/mean.php?selectSummary=38&NetworkSearch=TRUE . dead .
  4. Web site: เลขหมายโทรศัพท์สำหรับบริการโทรศัพท์ระหว่างประเทศ . 2022-07-12 . numbering.nbtc.go.th.
  5. News: Plerin. Chutharat. Thailand adopts 911 as emergency number. 2015-11-26. The Phuket Gazette.
  6. News: Achakulwisut. Atiya. Emergency? Just dial 'M' for may. 8 May 2018. Bangkok Post. Opinion. 8 May 2018.