Search and rescue is coordinated by the Bangkok Rescue Co-ordination Centre. Thai SAR units work on VHF Ch 16 and DSC Ch 70, and HF/SSB 6215 kHz (DSC 6312 kHz).
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (AIP Thailand, GEN 3.6) · Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (AIP Thailand, GEN 3.6) ▾
aip.caat.or.th (2026-10-14): “The Bangkok Rescue Co-ordination Centre is co-located with the Mission Control Centre (MCC) and controls two LEOLUTs (Low Earth Orbit Local User Terminal).”
Bangkok Radio is the coast station responsible for communications with merchant shipping; it and the Royal Thai Police Marine Police can help coordinate search and rescue missions.
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (AIP Thailand, GEN 3.6) ▾
aip.caat.or.th (2026-10-14): “The Bangkok Radio whose responsible of contacting with merchant marine and the Royal Thai Police (Marine Police) are also available for co-ordinate in Search and Rescue mission, when required.”
Weather and season
The Thai Meteorological Department publishes a 24-hour weather forecast for shipping (weather, wind, wave height) for the Gulf of Thailand and for the Andaman Sea and Malacca Strait.
Thai Meteorological Department · Thai Meteorological Department ▾
tmd.go.th (2026-10-14): “24-Hour Weather Forecast for Shipping”
tmd.go.th (2026-10-14): “The Andaman Sea and Malacca Strait”
The rainy season runs from around mid-May to mid-October; TMD declared the 2026 rainy season started on 15 May.
Thai Meteorological Department (presentation hosted by WMO) · Thai Meteorological Department ▾
old.wmo.int (2026-10-14, intl): “Rainy Season (around mid-May to mid-October).”
tmd.go.th (2026-10-14): “These conditions resulted in continuous rainfall across Thailand, marking the onset of the 2026 rainy season on May 15.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
Marine Department ship-survey rules require every Thai sea-going motor vessel that does not make international voyages (fishing vessels excepted) to carry life-saving equipment, including a life jacket for every person on board. This is a carriage rule; no general rule obliging recreational boaters to wear one was found.
Marine Department of Thailand (Regulation for Ship Survey No. 15, B.E. 2528, as amended) · Marine Department of Thailand (Regulation for Ship Survey No. 15, B.E. 2528, as amended) ▾
Strong riptides have drowned swimmers, especially in monsoon season. Designated beaches have lifeguards and a flag system; obey red flags.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Take care when swimming off coastal areas, especially during monsoon season. People have drowned in strong riptides. Thailand has lifeguards on duty at designated beaches and operates a flag system for safe swimming. Follow all warning signs, especially red flags.”
Jellyfish come close to shore, particularly in the rainy season from May to October, and their stings can be fatal.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Jellyfish can swim close to the shore, particularly during the rainy season from May to October. Jellyfish stings can be fatal.”
Divers: recompression
Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital in Bangkok (Naval Medical Department, Royal Thai Navy) operates a hyperbaric centre.
Royal Thai Navy Medical Journal (Naval Medical Department) ▾
he01.tci-thaijo.org (2026-10-14): “This is a retrospective study characterized by middle ear barotrauma occurred in 942 patients during their treatments in the hyperbaric center of Somdech Phra Pinklao hospital from 2018 to 2020.”
Arriving by boat
The skipper of a yacht arriving from abroad must report the arrival and the departure to Thai Customs and obtain a vessel release document from Customs.
Thai Customs Department ▾
customs.go.th (2026-10-14): “A master of a yacht/sports boat or fishing vessel from abroad is required to make an arrival and departure reports of such boat or vessel to Customs upon the arrival or departure and to request from Customs a vessel release document for export.”
What number do I call for help at sea in Thailand?+
In Thailand, call Thai-MECC (ศรชล.) on 1465. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Thailand?+
1465 is the number the authorities in Thailand give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for Thailand.
Which rescue centre is responsible for me?+
The one whose search-and-rescue area you are in — not the country of your SIM card. Near borders that can change during a trip; the VesselSOS app picks it from your GPS position.
When is the storm season in Thailand?+
The rainy season runs from around mid-May to mid-October; TMD declared the 2026 rainy season started on 15 May.
Are life jackets compulsory in Thailand?+
Marine Department ship-survey rules require every Thai sea-going motor vessel that does not make international voyages (fishing vessels excepted) to carry life-saving equipment, including a life jacket for every person on board. This is a carriage rule; no general rule obliging recreational boaters to wear one was found.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Thailand?+
The Thai Meteorological Department publishes a 24-hour weather forecast for shipping (weather, wind, wave height) for the Gulf of Thailand and for the Andaman Sea and Malacca Strait.
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