In a significant leap forward for public safety and digital infrastructure, Thailand has announced the forthcoming launch of its first-ever 191 Emergency Location Service (ELS). This pioneering initiative is the result of a strategic collaboration between the Patrol and Special Operations Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, leading mobile operator AIS, and global technology giant Google.
Bangkok, Thailand –The service is set to revolutionize emergency response by automatically providing precise location data from callers, addressing a critical challenge that has long hindered rapid assistance and reinforcing Thailand’s position as a nation leveraging smart technology for societal good.
The new system, branded as ‘191 ELS’, will utilize Google’s Android Emergency Location Service (ELS), which is based on Advanced Mobile Location (AML) technology. When an Android smartphone user on the AIS network dials the 191 emergency number, their device will automatically and securely transmit its exact coordinates to the police command center. This process occurs in the background without requiring the caller to have a data connection or install any special application, ensuring a seamless and accessible safety net for millions.
This technological advancement directly tackles a persistent and dangerous problem for emergency services. For years, response teams have been hampered by the inability to accurately pinpoint a caller’s location. This issue is often compounded by the caller’s distress, unfamiliarity with their surroundings, or inability to provide a clear address, leading to potentially tragic delays.
A Milestone for National Emergency Response
The initiative is being hailed as a transformative step in modernizing Thailand’s emergency services to meet international standards. Police Major General Worawit Yanchinda, Commander of the Patrol and Special Operation Division (191), elaborated on the critical need for this upgrade.
“Emergency number 191 serves as the central mechanism for receiving emergency calls and providing assistance to the public in critical situations, whether in cases of crime, accidents, or disasters. Our officers operate 24/7 to ensure immediate response and support,” stated Police Major General Worawit.
He continued, “However, a key challenge we have consistently faced is inaccuracies or delays in identifying the caller’s location. Many callers do not know their exact address, cannot describe the location clearly, or are unaware of where they are, which may cause delays in assistance and increase risks to public safety.”
He emphasized the significance of the partnership, noting, “To address this, the Patrol and Special Operations Division has partnered with AIS and Google with the goal to bring the 191 Emergency Location Service (191 ELS) to Thailand. This marks a significant milestone in modernizing and elevating the 191 emergency response system to international standards.” The commander concluded that the service will “enable accurate pinpointing of a caller’s location, reduce errors, and shorten the time needed to locate incidents allowing officers to respond, manage emergencies, and assist the public more swiftly and effectively.”
The Technology Driving a Safer Future
At the core of this service is Google’s widely adopted Emergency Location Service, a feature built into the Android operating system. It intelligently uses a fusion of GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile network, and sensor data to calculate the most accurate possible location, which is then sent directly to emergency services.
Ms. Wanwisa Mingcharoen, Head of APAC, Platforms & Devices at Google, highlighted the technology’s life-saving potential. “Android Emergency Location Service, which is based on AML, is a feature on Android devices that is designed to help first responders locate people in an emergency,” she explained. “We are supportive of efforts in Thailand to enable the reception of this life-saving data and look forward to working together to make ELS available in the Country in the future.”
This collaboration represents a key market development for Google, demonstrating the integration of its core mobile services into a nation’s critical public infrastructure. For Thailand, it means leveraging the high penetration of Android smartphones to create a smarter, more responsive emergency network without the need for massive new hardware investments.
AIS: A Cognitive Tech-Co Powering Public Good
For AIS, the nation’s leading mobile operator with over 46 million mobile users, this initiative is a powerful demonstration of its vision to become a ‘Cognitive Tech-Co’. By being the first network operator in the country to enable this capability, AIS reinforces its brand not just as a provider of communication services but as a developer of critical digital infrastructure that enhances quality of life.
Mr. Sarun Phaloprakarn, Head of Mobile & Consumer Product Business Unit at AIS, detailed the company’s commitment. “AIS is committed to developing a secure and high-performance network that provides peace of mind in every usage for our customers and the Thai people, while continuously supporting the nation’s public safety mission,” he stated. “This commitment has led us to leverage technology to enable more effective emergency reporting through the 191 ELS service, in collaboration with the Patrol and Special Operations Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Google, ensuring that emergency services can truly and seamlessly reach the public.”
Crucially, Mr. Sarun also pointed out the significant economic and social benefit for one of Thailand’s most vital sectors: tourism. “The service will also extends to international tourists visiting Thailand,” he noted. This feature provides an invaluable layer of security for visitors, strengthening Thailand’s reputation as a safe travel destination and potentially boosting tourism confidence.
Regulatory Support and the Path to Nationwide Coverage
The successful implementation of such a critical service hinges on robust regulatory support. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has played a key coordinating role, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned to maximize public benefit.
Mr. Jaturon Choksawat, Assistant Secretary-General of the NBTC, affirmed the commission’s dedication to the project. “As Thailand’s telecommunications regulator, the NBTC is committed to advancing the use of networks and digital technologies for the public good, particularly in building an effective emergency communication system,” he said. “The 191 Emergency Location Service (ELS) represents a major milestone in enhancing national safety standards.”
The NBTC’s vision extends beyond this initial launch. Mr. Jaturon added, “The NBTC has therefore worked to support and coordinate with all stakeholders… to ensure that this service can be fully implemented, widely accessible, and reliable. We are also expediting collaboration to extend coverage to all device platforms, so that every citizen can have equal access to faster, more accurate, and safer emergency assistance.” This forward-looking statement signals a clear intent to work towards universal ELS access, eventually including other mobile operating systems and carriers, ensuring no citizen is left behind.
The launch of the 191 ELS is more than a technological upgrade; it is a model of effective public-private partnership. It demonstrates how government agencies, telecommunication leaders, and technology innovators can converge to create tangible solutions that directly impact citizen welfare. As Thailand continues its journey of digital transformation, this initiative stands as a testament to the power of a connected ecosystem in building a safer, smarter, and more secure nation for all.
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