Compared across countries
What number do you call in an emergency?
For a trip that crosses borders — the same question, answered country by country.
The pattern
119 is the closest thing to a constant — fire in four of the six, and the ambulance too everywhere except China. The police number is what changes at every border: 110, 112, 113 and 191 all mean the same thing in different countries.
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Japan
110 for police, 119 for fire or ambulance. Both are free and work from any phone.
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China
110 police, 119 fire, 120 ambulance, 122 traffic accidents. Calls are free, and 110 answers in eight languages.
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Thailand
191 is the general emergency line and 1669 gets an ambulance. As a visitor, the number to actually memorise is 1155 — the Tourist Police.
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Vietnam
Three numbers, split by service: 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance.
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South Korea
112 for police, 119 for fire or ambulance. 110 is not an emergency number here — it is for ordinary public-service enquiries.
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Taiwan
110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. If your phone has no usable signal, 112 still connects.
Japan
China
Thailand
Vietnam
South Korea
Taiwan