Is calling for an ambulance the last option?

Medical issues, doctors, dentists, opticians and hospitals in Hua Hin and Thailand.
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Homer
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Is calling for an ambulance the last option?

Post by Homer »

Based on your personal experience, what number(s) did you call for an ambulance that resulted in an ambulance at your door?

I recently had to call one. First tried a number in my phone contacts: 032 532 576. At 2:30 in the morning someone speaking Thai answered. Not useful, even if it was a correct number. That number is part of the same table of supposedly useful numbers found on several Hua Hin oriented websites.

Only other number I had that might have been useful was the Tourist Police. He took my location then told me to call back. WHAT?!? I asked 'why?' and 'when?' but he just kept saying call back. Bleep that, so I woke up a neighbor.

Since then I've found other numbers, all on the local Hash House Harriers site, though the page is so old it still lists Polyclinic.
Medical emergency call - 1669
Ambulance and Rescue - 1554

BTW, an ambulance did arrive at my apartment. Thirty minutes after calling the tourist police.
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B6PTW
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Re: Is calling for an ambulance the last option?

Post by B6PTW »

Hi

My wife is a retired nurse and I have some medical training, but if at all possible we would take our own vehicle to a hospital.
The reason for this is ,after seeing that Thai traffic never gives way to an ambulance we would half our transfer time at least, and time in an emergency is critical.
Obviously there would be circumstances when that is not possible.
Also our village has security gates that we have to go and open in person so if we were on our own one of us would have to leave the other and again in a real emergency that is not best practice.

Regards
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Big Boy
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Re: Is calling for an ambulance the last option?

Post by Big Boy »

I don't know the answer. However, friends of ours have recently been in to Bangkok Hospital and registered their address for ambulance service. They have been registered with their GPS position (because they live remote). In the event of an emergency, they have a number to phone, followed by a password and an ambulance will be sent to them immediately (if there is such a word in Thailand). I think registration was free, but could be a useful option for the OP and many others.
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hhinner
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Is calling for an ambulance the last option?

Post by hhinner »

Re the numbers Homer mentioned above. I believe that 1669 is common throughout Thailand and will connect with the local state hospital ambulance, which in Hua Hin is obviously the Hua Hin Hospital. This is supposed to be 24 hours and has a cardiac response unit. 1554 I think gets you the Sawang Hua Hin ambulance and rescue based at the Chinese temple. I've also noticed another service around Hua Hin called Petchkasem Rescue and their number is 1699 (deliberately meant to be easily confused with 1699?). I've also noticed this last one providing towing services a couple of times but don't know if that's part of their official duties or not.
Homer
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Re: Is calling for an ambulance the last option?

Post by Homer »

The ambulances at Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin have 1719 in big font on their sides.
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Re: Is calling for an ambulance the last option?

Post by hhinner »

hhinner wrote:Re the numbers Homer mentioned above. I believe that 1669 is common throughout Thailand and will connect with the local state hospital ambulance, which in Hua Hin is obviously the Hua Hin Hospital. This is supposed to be 24 hours and has a cardiac response unit. 1554 I think gets you the Sawang Hua Hin ambulance and rescue based at the Chinese temple. I've also noticed another service around Hua Hin called Petchkasem Rescue and their number is 1699 (deliberately meant to be easily confused with 1699?). I've also noticed this last one providing towing services a couple of times but don't know if that's part of their official duties or not.
Correction: Just saw a Sawang Hua Hin pickup truck with tel num 1699 on it. Their land line is 032 514514. They will also come and deal with any snakes at your house.
Homer
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Re: Is calling for an ambulance the last option?

Post by Homer »

Homer wrote:The ambulances at Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin have 1719 in big font on their sides.
This just keeps getting better. According to someone at reception, 1719 the general number for Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok. (On the web page for Bangkok Hospital in HH, it's one of the numbers listed, qualified for 'local calls only'.)

That same person at reception said the emergency number for Bangkok Hospital in HH is 032 616 888. Seems reasonable, as their web site shows the general number is 032 616 800. Yet googling the 888 number returns 3 hits on the web, none associated the Bangkok Hospital or Hua Hin.

Hey mods, see that link to 'Expat Hua Hin' above? That site has a 'Hospitals' section which still lists the long gone International Polyclinic. How about passing a request up the chain to management: Delete Polyclinic, add ambulance number(s)?
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