Telephone numbers in Thailand

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]

Telephone numbers in Thailand
Thailand
Location
CountryThailand
ContinentAsia
RegulatorNational Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission
Typeclosed
NSN length8-9
Access codes
Country code+66
International access00
Long-distance0

Geographic area codes edit

 

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:

  • A number 2134567 in Bangkok: 02-2134567
  • A number 213456 in Nakhon Ratchasima: 044-213456

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:

  • Within Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan: 02-2134567
  • Outside Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan: 02-2134567
  • Outside Thailand: +66-2-2134567 (the initial 0 of the area code is omitted)
Area Code Area Served
02 Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon), Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Phutthamonthon (Nakhon Pathom)
032 Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi
034 Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom (except Phutthamonthon), Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram
035 Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri
036 Lop Buri, Saraburi, Sing Buri
037 Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo
038 Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong
039 Chanthaburi, Trat
042 Bueng Kan, Loei, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani
043 Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Nam Nao (Phetchabun)
044 Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin
045 Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon
052 Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son
053 Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son
054 Lampang, Nan, Phayao, Phrae
055 Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Tak, Uttaradit, Sam Ngam, Wachirabarami (Phichit)
056 Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun (except Nam Nao), Phichit (except Sam Ngam & Wachirabarami), Uthai Thani
073 Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala
074 Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla
075 Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang
076 Phang Nga, Phuket
077 Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani

Mobile phone codes and IP telephony edit

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.

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

Non-geographical short codes and special numbers edit

Code Service
100 Universal operator service (formerly fixed telephone and facsimile fault report)
101 Operator 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-xxxx Paging service (now abolished)
1193 Highway Police
1242 True Move, True Move H
1401-xxx-xxx Toll-free numbers
02-132-1888 & 1722 Flights, Suvarnabhumi Airport
02-535-1192 Flights, other airports
1586 Department of Highway
1669 Medical Emergency
1678 DTAC
1691 Ambulance Service Center
1711 McDonald's
1800-xxx-xxx Toll-free numbers (from landlines only)
1900-xxx-xxx Premium-rate telephone number
191 Universal emergency service
199 Fire Department
1266 Major Development Pcl.

International dialling edit

International dialling from Thailand follows the following pattern:

Carrier selection code – Country calling codeArea code (if required, usually for landlines) – Subscriber number

Carrier selection codes, which direct the call via one of several providers, are as follows:[4]

Emergency numbers edit

As of 2021 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]

References edit

  1. ^ "Thailand (country code +66) Communication of 11.VII.2021". International Telecommunication Union (ITU). National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  2. ^ "Bernumchok". Archived from the original on 2016-02-02. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  3. ^ "Bernumchok". Archived from the original on 2016-08-13. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  4. ^ "เลขหมายโทรศัพท์สำหรับบริการโทรศัพท์ระหว่างประเทศ". numbering.nbtc.go.th. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  5. ^ Plerin, Chutharat (2015-11-26). "Thailand adopts 911 as emergency number". The Phuket Gazette.
  6. ^ Achakulwisut, Atiya (8 May 2018). "Emergency? Just dial 'M' for may" (Opinion). Bangkok Post. Retrieved 8 May 2018.