How to File a Police Report in Thailand (แจ้งความ): A Step-by-Step Guide for Foreigners

Short Answer

In Thailand there are two distinct actions you can take at a police station: recording a fact (jaeng khwam, แจ้งความ) and filing a formal criminal complaint requesting an investigation (rong thuk). For insurance claims, replacement of documents, or simply to create an official record of an incident, it is usually sufficient to record the fact and obtain a number from the daily log. You must go to the station covering the area where the incident occurred, bring your passport and any evidence, and, given the language barrier, it is advisable to prepare a bilingual written statement in advance.

Jaeng Khwam and Rong Thuk: What Is the Difference

These two terms are often translated identically as 'filing a police report,' but they have different legal meanings, and the choice you make determines what happens next.

• Jaeng khwam (แจ้งความ), notification of fact. You inform the police that something has happened: you lost your passport, your phone was stolen, you were involved in a minor traffic accident, or property was damaged. The police enter a record in the daily incident log (the so-called daily report) and give you a document with a reference number. This does not automatically trigger criminal prosecution, but it creates an official document with a date and official stamp.
• Rong thuk (ร้องทุกข์), criminal complaint by the injured party. This is a formal submission by the victim requesting that a case be opened and the offender held accountable. For certain offences (so-called private prosecution cases, such as defamation or certain property disputes) the police and prosecutor cannot proceed at all without such a complaint from the victim. In this situation the police are obliged to begin an investigation within their authority.

In practice many situations are handled as jaeng khwam, and that is sufficient. However, if you want the offender to be actively sought and prosecuted, tell the officer clearly that you are filing a rong thuk and requesting that a case be opened. Ask for this to be recorded in writing.

Which Station to Choose

The general rule is that you must go to the police station (สถานี) for the district where the incident took place, because the investigation is conducted by the police with jurisdiction over the scene.

• Theft, traffic accident, assault, property damage: the station for the location of the incident (for example, on that beach, in that part of town, or on that street).
• Loss of documents (passport, driving licence): the nearest station will usually suffice, as this type of certificate is accepted almost everywhere. You then take it to your embassy and the immigration office.
• Tourist areas (Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Bangkok): popular areas have Tourist Police and a hotline at 1155. The chances of finding an English-speaking officer and obtaining translation assistance are higher there. The general police emergency number is 191.

If you go to the wrong station you may be redirected. To avoid losing time, it is better to confirm jurisdiction upfront, especially for serious matters.

What to Bring

The more you have with you, the faster and more accurately the report will be completed.

• Passport (original; if it has been stolen or lost, bring a copy, a photo on your phone, or any other identity document).
• Evidence: photographs, video, screenshots of correspondence, receipts, serial numbers of stolen items, bank card details in cases of fraud.
• Details of other parties involved: vehicle and insurance number in a traffic accident, witness contact information, names and any identifying details.
• Precise details: date, time, location, and sequence of events. It is best to write these down in advance, in both Russian and English, so nothing is missed under stress.
• Small change for incidental costs: a nominal fee is sometimes charged for copies or certification, so keep a little cash on hand.

The Report Number for Insurance

The key practical value of filing a report is the official reference number. When the police enter a record in the daily log, the incident is assigned a number (often called the daily report number). This is the number required by:

• insurance companies for claims relating to theft, a traffic accident, or loss of luggage;
• the embassy and immigration office when replacing a passport;
• banks and mobile operators when blocking and reissuing cards or SIM cards.

Always ask for a written certificate showing the number and the station's official stamp, and check that the date, your name, and the nature of the incident are recorded correctly. Keep the paper original and take a photograph of it. Without this number, an insurer will most likely refuse to process your claim.

Language and Translation: How to Avoid Getting Lost

Reports are drawn up in the Thai language, and many station officers have limited English, let alone Russian. This is the main source of errors: what you say may be recorded inaccurately.

• Bring someone who speaks Thai, or ask the Tourist Police for translation assistance.
• Prepare your statement in two languages in advance so the officer only needs to transfer the facts into the record.
• Before signing, ask for a translation of what has been written. You are signing a Thai-language document, so it is important to understand its content. Do not sign anything you are not certain about.

Our website has a document builder that generates a bilingual (Russian-Thai) police statement: you fill in the circumstances and receive a ready-made text that can be shown to the officer and attached to the file. This reduces the risk of errors and saves time at the station.

Comparison: Jaeng Khwam and Rong Thuk

What to Do

1. Decide whether you need only a notification of fact or a full criminal complaint, and go to the station covering the location of the incident (in a tourist area, go to the Tourist Police at tel. 1155).
2. Bring your passport and all evidence. Write down the date, time, and circumstances in advance.
3. Prepare a bilingual statement (you can use the document builder on our website) to avoid translation errors.
4. State clearly whether you are filing a jaeng khwam or a rong thuk, and if necessary ask for your request to open an investigation to be recorded in writing.
5. Obtain a certificate showing the reference number and official stamp, verify the details, and keep the original and a photograph for your insurer, embassy, and bank.