Thailand's telephone numbering plan is managed by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in accordance with International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) recommendation E.164.
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 National Telecom (NT), as NT 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 2001, 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, Ratchaburi034Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom (except Phutthamonthon), Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram035Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri036Lop Buri, Saraburi, Sing Buri037Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo038Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong039Chanthaburi, Trat042Bueng Kan, Loei, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani043Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Nam Nao (Phetchabun)044Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin045Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon052Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son053Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son054Lampang, Nan, Phayao, Phrae055Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Tak, Uttaradit, Sam Ngam, Wachirabarami (Phichit)056Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun (except Nam Nao), Phichit (except Sam Ngam & Wachirabarami), Uthai Thani073Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala074Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla075Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang076Phang Nga, Phuket077Chumphon, 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.
Code Service060TrueMove (VoIP)061AIS062063AIS064TRUE065AIS066DTAC068 TOT (VoIP)080-0 to 080-2AIS080-3TrueMove080-4 to 080-5DTAC080-6AIS081-0 to 081-2081-3 to 081-6DTAC081-7 to 081-9AIS082083TrueMove084AIS085DTAC085-4AIS086TrueMove087AIS088TrueMove089TrueMove H090DTAC090-1AIS090-9True Move H, AIS091TrueMove H092AIS093AIS, TrueMove H093-1AIS093-5093-6094DTAC, TrueMove H094-0 to 094-1TrueMove H094-22 to 094-23TrueMove H095095-6095096097AIS, TrueMove H098AIS099AIS, TrueMove H, DTAC099-5TrueMove H
Non-geographical short codes and special numbers
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 TOT1111 Thai Government Call Center1112 The Pizza Company1133 Fixed telephone directory assistance1150 KFC & Pizza Hut1153 B-Quick1155 Tourist Police1175 AIS1188-xxx-xxxxPaging service (now abolished)1193Highway Police1242True Move, True Move H1266Major Development PCL1333Bangkok Bank (Bualuang Phone)1401-xxx-xxxToll-free numbers1425Central (Central Call & Shop)02-132-1888 & 1722Flights, Suvarnabhumi Airport02-535-1192Flights, other airports1586Department of Highway1669Medical Emergency1678DTAC1690State Railway of Thailand1691Ambulance Service Center1711McDonald's1811Thailand Standard Time automated number1888National Telecom1800-xxx-xxxToll-free numbers (from landlines only)1900-xxx-xxxPremium-rate telephone number191Universal emergency service199Fire Department02-111-1111Krungthai Bank02-777-7777Siam 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 number Carrier selection codes, which direct the call via one of several providers, are as follows:
001 – CAT Telecom 003 – AIS 004 – Total Access Communication 005 – AIN Globalcom 006 – True Move 009 – CAT Telecom (low cost, using VoIP)
Emergency numbers Thailand has nearly 100 "hotline" telephone numbers to call for assistance. They include 911 or 191 for emergencies, fire, or unwanted intruding animals; 1699 or 1669 (or 1646 or 1554 in Bangkok) for medical emergencies; tourist police, 1155; car theft, 1192; transportation complaints, 1584; road accidents, 1146.
References