Mental health crisis support: 1323, 1667 and what exists in English

Thailand's main crisis line is 1323, run by the Department of Mental Health (operationally under the Rajanagarindra Institute), free of charge and answered 24/7. The official government portal describes it as staffed by a multidisciplinary DMH team handling everything from stress and family problems to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. After the 2025 earthquake the government tripled hotline capacity: 1323 went from 20 to 30 lines, and a second service, the Mental Wellness Center on 1667, added 30 more — and the same announcement states English-language support is available alongside Thai for foreign nationals, tourists included. That is the honest picture on English: it officially exists on the state lines, but Thai remains the working language and an English-speaking counsellor is not guaranteed on every shift.

Beyond the phone lines, the DMH runs free scheduled online counselling: book a slot at 1323alltime.camri.go.th (confirmations go out 24–48 hours before the appointment) and a psychologist calls you back; sessions run between 08:30 and 21:30. For someone in immediate physical danger — an overdose, an active suicide attempt — this is a medical emergency: call 1669, and note that a psychiatric crisis threatening life falls within emergency-care duties like any other. For ongoing care in English, the practical route is the psychiatry departments of the large private hospitals in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, self-paid like other private care.