The Tourist Police are a special Thai police force which specialise in dealing with problems either faced or caused by foreigners visiting Thailand. They can be contacted by dialing 1155 from any telephone, and can often be seen patrolling the streets of Patong, especially in the Bangla Road area at night, if you need one then just approach one when you see one. The office of the Tourist Police in Patong is located next to the La Flora Hotel, on Beach Road.

Even though they are named Tourist Police, they are in place to protect the local Thai population as much as any holiday maker, never think for one moment that because they are named Tourist Police they are there to protect you, they are not, they are mediators at best.

The Tourist Police force in Patong consist of around two hundred officers. They are well versed in all of the illegal activities and scams operated by those people who try to take advantage of people visiting Thailand. However, if you are found to be in the wrong, they will also help Thai people to deal with you. Think of them as a police force which specialises in tourist related issues, not a police fore which specifically protects tourists, although they will if it is deemed appropriate.

Many of the officers who work with the tourist police speak additional languages, most frequently English or Japanese. If you do need the help of a police officer who speaks a particular language, they will try to help you by taking you to the local Tourist Police Office whilst they locate somebody who can speak the language.

The Tourist Police are a great resource for holiday makers in Thailand, always on hand to help with advice, directions and any other small questions you may have, as well as to help you deal with any problems you face whilst on vacation in Thailand.