Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [210]
Germany (Map; 0 2287 9000; www.bangkok.diplo.de; 9 Th Sathon Tai, Sathon; Lumphini exit 2)
India Embassy (Map; 0 2258 0300-05; www.indianembassy.in.th; 46 Soi 23, Th Sukhumvit; Asok); Consulate (Indian Visa Application Center; Map; 0 2665 2968; www.ivac-th.com; 15th fl, Glas Haus Bldg, Soi 25, Th Sukhumvit; Sukhumvit exit 2; Asok exit 6)
Israel (Map; 0 2204 9200; http://bangkok.mfa.gov.il; 25th fl, Ocean Tower II, 75 Soi 19, Th Sukhumvit; Sukhumvit exit 1; Asok exit 3)
Indonesia (Map; 0 2252 3135; 600-602 Th Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi; Ratchathewi exit 4)
Japan (Map; 0 2207 8500; www.the.emb-japan.go.jp; 177 Th Withayu, Lumphini; Lumphini)
Laos (Map; 0 2539 6667; www.bkklaoembassy.com (out of date visa information); 520/1-3 Soi Sahakarnpramoon, Th Pracha Uthit, Wangthonglong)
Malaysia (Map; 0 2629 6800; 33-35 Th Sathon Tai, Sathon; Lumphini exit 2)
Myanmar (Map; 0 2234 0278; 132 Th Sathon Neua; Surasak exit 3)
Nepal (Map; 0 2390 2280; 189 Soi 71, Th Sukhumvit)
Netherlands (Map; 0 2309 5200; www.netherlandsembassy.in.th; 15 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit; Chit Lom exit 4)
New Zealand (Map; 0 2254 2530-33; www.nzembassy.com; 19th fl, M Thai Tower, All Seasons Pl, 87 Th Withayu, Ploenchit; Phloen Chit exit 5)
Singapore (Map; 0 2286 2111; www.mfa.gov.sg/bangkok; 9th & 18th fl, Rajanakam Bldg, 129 Th Sathon Tai; Chong Nonsi & new skywalk)
South Africa (Map; 0 2659 2900; www.saembbangkok.com; 12th fl, M Thai Tower, All Seasons Pl, 87 Th Witthaya, Ploenchit; Phloen Chit exit 5)
Sweden (Map; 0 2263 7200; www.swedenabroad.com; 20th fl, One Pacific Pl, 140 Th Sukhumvit; Nana exit 2)
UK & Northern Ireland (Map; 0 2305 8333; www.britishembassy.gov.uk; 14 Th Withayu, Ploenchit; Phloen Chit exit 5)
USA (Map; 0 2205 4000; http://bangkok.usembassy.gov; 120/22 Th Withayu, Lumphini; Phloen Chit exit 5)
Vietnam (Map; 0 2251 5836-38; 83/1 Th Withayu, Ploenchit; Phloen Chit exit 5)
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EMERGENCY
The main emergency numbers:
Ambulance (via Police 191)
Fire ( 199)
Police ( 191)
Tourist Police ( 1155)
You’re unlikely to find any English-speaker at the fire number, so it’s best to use the default 191 number. In a medical emergency it’s probably best to call the hospital direct, and it will dispatch an ambulance. See Click here for recommended hospitals.
The best way to deal with most problems requiring police, most likely a rip-off or theft, is to contact the tourist police on the 24-hour 1155 hotline. Unlike the regular Thai police, the tourist police are used to dealing with foreigners and can be very helpful in cases of arrest. Although they typically have no jurisdiction over the kinds of cases handled by regular cops, they should be able to help with translation, contacting your embassy and/or arranging a police report you can take to your insurer.
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GAY & LESBIAN TRAVELLERS
Thai culture is very tolerant of homosexuality, both male and female, and notwithstanding the prejudices of some, Bangkok is one of the most gay-friendly cities on earth. Thailand does not have laws that discriminate against homosexuals, and Bangkok’s gay scene is way out in the open. For much more information see Click here, and take a look at these websites:
Dreaded Ned (www.dreadedned.com) Listings, forums, personal ads.
Fridae (www.fridae.com) Listings of events across Asia; click through Agenda for Thailand.
Gay Guide in Thailand (www.gayguideinthailand.com) Exactly that – a gay tour guide.
Lesbian Guide to Bangkok (www.bangkoklesbian.com) The most active and useful site for lesbians in Bangkok, with helpful forums and news on events and venues.
Long Yang Club (www.longyangclub.org/thailand) A ‘multicultural social group for male-oriented men who want to meet outside the gay scene’, with branches all over the world. The Thailand chapter hosts occasional events in Bangkok.
Utopia (www.utopia-asia.com) Long-running site with lots of Bangkok