Emergency guidance
What to do if an emergency affects Tha Prachan campus or the faculty. Written in advance and checked against official advice.
There is no important alert right now
If that changes, a banner will appear at the top of every page on this site and the alert will be shown here.
Call for help
Free from any phone, at any hour.
Guides
Threats to life
- Fire on campus
What to do if you see fire or smoke, or hear a fire alarm, in a campus building. Getting out fast matters more than anything else.
- Attack with a weapon
What to do if someone is attacking people with a gun, knife or other weapon on or near campus. Thai police teach the same three steps as police worldwide. Run, hide, and fight only as a last resort.
Natural and environmental hazards
- Earthquake
Bangkok is far from active faults, but its soft ground amplifies shaking from large distant earthquakes. On 28 March 2025 a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar shook high-rise buildings across the city and brought down a tower under construction in Chatuchak.
- After the Bangkok floods
The floods that began on 24 September had gone down across most of Bangkok by 3 October, although some low-lying areas may still hold water. Work through the steps below, and claim money for any damage.
- Air pollution
Fine dust (PM2.5) builds up over Bangkok most years between January and March. In January 2025 it closed hundreds of schools. Readings in the orange or red band harm health, especially for people with asthma or heart conditions.
Disruption to campus and classes
- Illness outbreak
An infectious illness is spreading among students or staff. Most people recover at home. This guide covers how to avoid passing it on, when to get medical help, and what to do about classes.
- Faculty building closed
The Faculty of Political Science building at Tha Prachan is closed. The rest of campus may still be open. This guide covers classes, deadlines and who to contact.
- Tha Prachan campus closed
Thammasat University has closed the whole Tha Prachan campus. This guide covers getting away safely if you are there, and what happens to classes.
Political unrest
- Protests near campus
Tha Prachan is next to Sanam Luang and a short walk from Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Democracy Monument, where large gatherings often take place. This guide is about staying safe, whatever the gathering is about.
- Coup or military rule
The armed forces have seized power from the government. Military orders can limit gatherings, movement and what is published. This guide explains what a coup is, your rights, and how to stay safe.
Anything else
- Emergency affecting the faculty
Something is happening that affects Tha Prachan campus or the Faculty of Political Science. The update at the top of this page says what it is. This guide covers what to do in the meantime.
Get official alerts on your phone
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation sends emergency alerts straight to every phone in an affected area by cell broadcast. Alerts come in Thai and English, make a loud sound even on silent, and arrive within seconds. They cover floods, storms, earthquakes, PM2.5, fires, public violence and more.
- Update your phone. Alerts need iOS 18 or later, or Android 11 or later, on a 4G or 5G network.
- On an iPhone, open Settings, then Notifications, and turn on the alerts listed at the bottom under TH-ALERT.
- On Android, search Settings for "Wireless emergency alerts" or "Safety and emergency" and turn the alerts on.
Be ready before anything happens
- Save 191, 1669, 199 and 1155 in your phone.
- In every building you use, know two ways out and where the stairs are.
- Keep a charged power bank, and some cash, with you.
- Agree with a friend or family member how you will contact each other if phone lines are busy.
- Write one emergency contact on paper and keep it in your wallet.
- If you are an international student, register with your embassy if it offers that and save its emergency number.