Thailand doesn't make it easy to ask for help. Support groups are less visible than in most Western countries, the culture around emotional openness is different, and the expat instinct is often to appear fine. Admitting otherwise means acknowledging the move wasn't the clean break you told people it would be.
This is a directory of groups and services with confirmed contact details. Every entry below has a phone number, a website, or a verified Facebook group. Nothing is included on the basis of reputation alone or because it sounded relevant. Bangkok has most of the specialist provision. Everywhere else, the gap is real and this page says so.
One thing worth doing now
Save your home country's embassy emergency line before you need it. Consular welfare officers can make referrals, help navigate situations where language is a barrier, and in serious situations assist with repatriation. Find the number at your government's official website under consular services Thailand.
Addiction & Recovery
AA, NA, and residential treatment centres
Alcoholics Anonymous Thailand
aathailand.org
English-language meetings in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya. Meeting times change, so check the website rather than relying on a fixed address.
Narcotics Anonymous Thailand
na.org/meetingsearch
Smaller presence than AA, primarily Bangkok. Use the NA international meeting finder and search Thailand for current listings.
The Cabin Chiang Mai
thecabinchiangmai.com
Private residential addiction treatment. English-speaking throughout, Western clinical standards, built for international residents.
The Dawn Wellness Centre
thedawnrehab.com
Private residential treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions, built specifically for international patients. Also used for trauma and PTSD treatment.
For a fuller picture of the addiction pattern in the expat community, including a first-hand account, read the Addiction & Alcoholism guide.
Gambling
No in-person meetings in Thailand. Remote options are the reality.
Online gambling and sports betting have no legal framework in Thailand that limits access for foreign nationals. A significant number of expats develop gambling problems here without the in-person meeting network that exists for alcohol. All three options below are reachable by phone or internet from anywhere in Thailand.
Gamblers Anonymous
ga.org
International 12-step programme. No regular in-person Thailand meetings currently. Remote and online meetings run globally in English. Check ga.org for the current schedule.
GamCare
0808 8020 133 / gamcare.org.uk
UK-based, free, reachable from Thailand by international call. 24/7 live chat also available at gamcare.org.uk. Built for UK residents but accessible from anywhere.
National Problem Gambling Helpline (US)
1-800-522-4700
US-based, 24/7. Provides support and referrals regardless of where you are located.
PTSD & Trauma
Evidence-based treatment is available in Bangkok and Chiang Mai
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is one of the most evidence-backed treatments available for PTSD. It is available through English-speaking therapists in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Bangkok Hospital and Samitivej both have English-speaking psychiatric departments where you can ask specifically for an EMDR referral. For residential treatment, The Dawn Wellness Centre (in the Addiction section above) is the most established option for international patients.
Bangkok Hospital
bangkokhospital.com
Psychiatric outpatient department with English-speaking staff. Ask the international patient team specifically for an EMDR referral or trauma therapy consultation.
Samitivej Hospital
samitivejhospitals.com
Psychiatric and mental health services with English-speaking staff. International patient coordinators can help navigate the right department and therapist.
The Founder of THAIBK has personal experience of PTSD. Not a therapist or doctor, but if you are struggling and not sure where to start, he is happy to offer a private consultation and point you toward the right support. Book a consultation.
Domestic Abuse & Family Violence
1300 is the national line. Your embassy is the most effective parallel call.
If you are in immediate danger, call 1669 (ambulance) or 191 (police). For foreign nationals, the Thai system is genuinely difficult to navigate without language support. Your home embassy's welfare officer is the most effective parallel call to 1300. They can accompany you, help interpret, arrange accommodation referrals, and in serious situations assist with repatriation.
OSCC — One Stop Crisis Centre
1300
Thailand's 24/7 national social emergency number. Handles domestic violence, abuse, and child protection referrals. English assistance is limited. Call alongside your embassy if you need interpreter support.
RAINN
rainn.org
US-based but accessible globally. Comprehensive English-language guidance on navigating a system after abuse, including what to expect from police and hospitals. Online chat available.
Sexual Assault Support
Hospital OSCC units and your embassy are the two starting points
Call 1300 to reach the OSCC system, or go directly to the emergency department at Siriraj or Ramathibodi hospitals in Bangkok and ask for the One Stop Crisis Centre. These hospital units provide medical care, legal documentation support, and counselling referrals in one place. Your embassy welfare team can accompany you if you prefer not to navigate this alone.
RAINN
rainn.org
Comprehensive English-language guidance on steps after sexual assault, including medical care, reporting, and legal processes. Online chat is available 24/7. Not Thailand-specific but the most thorough English resource available.
THAIBK · SOLA™+
Need to explain a medical or personal crisis to a Thai doctor?
SOLA translates in real time so nothing about how you actually feel gets lost between languages when it matters most.
LGBTQ+ Support
Community and health services in Bangkok and Chiang Mai
Thailand is generally tolerant of LGBTQ+ identities in daily life, but legal protections remain limited and social norms vary significantly outside Bangkok and tourist areas.
Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT)
rainbowsky.org
Thailand's leading LGBTQ+ health and community organisation. Counselling, sexual health testing, and community programmes in Bangkok. Primarily Thai-language but international patients are received.
MPLUS Foundation
mplusfoundation.org
LGBTQ+ health and welfare services in Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand. Operates a drop-in centre and runs regular community events. Generally more internationally accessible than RSAT.
Women, Mothers & Families
Active networks with confirmed online presence
Expat Moms Thailand
Facebook groups by city
Active Facebook communities for expat mothers in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya. Search Expat Moms followed by your city name. These are the most genuinely useful starting points for practical local knowledge.
International Mothers Network (IMN)
imn.ie
Global network for expat mothers with local chapters worldwide. Check the website for Thailand listings. The online community is accessible from anywhere.
YWCA Bangkok
ywca.or.th
Long-established presence in Bangkok. Social services, community programmes, and support networks for women, including those in difficult situations.
Breast Cancer Support
Treatment and peer support for patients in Thailand
Bangkok Hospital Cancer Centre
bangkokhospital.com
Oncology department with English-speaking staff and a patient navigator programme. Ask specifically for the international oncology team.
BNH Hospital
bnh.co.th
English-speaking hospital in central Bangkok. Smaller than the larger private hospitals and often more accessible for a first consultation.
Breast Cancer Community
breastcancer.org
Global peer support community with extensive English-language online forums. Particularly useful for the period between diagnosis and finding a local support network in Thailand.
Grief & Bereavement
Facing loss far from home is a particular kind of alone
The Samaritans at the top of this page are trained listeners, not just a crisis line. They are there for grief in all its forms. Call 02 713 6793 (Bangkok) or 116 123 (UK, 24/7). The two resources below are specifically for bereavement and are not listed elsewhere on this page.
GriefShare
griefshare.org
International online bereavement community with group-based support programmes. English-language, accessible from anywhere in Thailand. Particularly useful when the person lost is back home and local support does not understand the context.
Befrienders Worldwide
befrienders.org
International network of emotional support services. The website lists affiliated centres by country, including services you can call from Thailand in your home country language.
Anxiety, Depression & Loneliness
Remote therapy and real-world connection
BetterHelp
betterhelp.com
Online therapy with English-speaking therapists, available from anywhere in Thailand on any device. Practical across all cities, not just Bangkok. Also offers couples counselling.
THAIBK Connect
thaibk.com/connect
Regular expat meetups and a community forum. Loneliness does not require a diagnosis. It just requires interrupting the routine that feeds it, and this is the place to start.
Veterans
UK, US, and international veteran support
Royal British Legion Thailand
royalbritishlegion.org.uk
Branch covering Thailand. Welfare support, camaraderie, and Remembrance events. Contact via the RBL website. Activities are primarily Bangkok-based.
American Legion Thailand
legion.org
Posts in Bangkok and Pattaya providing social and welfare support for American veterans. Contact via the parent organisation at legion.org.
Veterans Crisis Line (US)
988 then option 1
US military and veterans, reachable from Thailand by international call. 24/7, staffed by trained VA responders. Text 838255 from a US number.
Combat Stress (UK)
0800 138 1619
UK veterans mental health charity, specifically for PTSD and combat trauma. Available by phone from Thailand during UK office hours.
City-by-City
What actually exists where
Most complete provision in Thailand
Bangkok
The most resource-rich city by a significant margin. All major support categories have at least one real resource here: AA and NA meetings, English-speaking psychiatrists, LGBTQ+ health organisations, OSCC hospital units, residential treatment centres, veteran groups, and private trauma therapists. For anything serious outside Bangkok, the honest answer is usually to travel here.
- AA Thailand: aathailand.org
- RSAT (LGBTQ+): rainbowsky.org
- Bangkok Hospital Psychiatry: bangkokhospital.com
- Samitivej Hospital: samitivejhospitals.com
- OSCC hospital units: Siriraj and Ramathibodi
- Samaritans of Thailand: 02 713 6793
Chiang Mai
Strong second city
AA and NA meetings, The Cabin and The Dawn for residential treatment, MPLUS for LGBTQ+ health, and active expat community networks for women and families. Private counselling in English is available here.
- AA Chiang Mai: aathailand.org
- MPLUS Foundation (LGBTQ+): mplusfoundation.org
- The Dawn Wellness Centre: thedawnrehab.com
- The Cabin Chiang Mai: thecabinchiangmai.com
Phuket
Limited specialist provision
AA meetings and some English-speaking counsellors. Serious mental health treatment almost always requires Bangkok. Bangkok Hospital Phuket handles emergencies with some English-speaking staff.
- AA Phuket: aathailand.org
- Bangkok Hospital Phuket: bangkokhospital.com
Pattaya
Active AA; limited otherwise
AA meetings are active and well-attended. American Legion has a post here. Bangkok Hospital Pattaya handles psychiatric emergencies. Specialist provision beyond this requires Bangkok.
- AA Pattaya: aathailand.org
- American Legion Pattaya: legion.org
- Bangkok Hospital Pattaya: bangkokhospital.com
Koh Samui, Hua Hin and Provincial
Hotlines and remote therapy only
Limited local specialist provision. The Thailand Mental Health Hotline (1323) is nationwide. Remote therapy via BetterHelp is the most practical option. Travel to Bangkok or Chiang Mai for anything requiring in-person clinical support.
- Thailand Mental Health Hotline: 1323 (nationwide)
- Samaritans (UK): 116 123 (reachable from anywhere)
- Remote therapy: betterhelp.com
Quick Reference Directory
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Thailand Mental Health Hotline | 1323 |
| Ambulance / Emergency | 1669 |
| Police | 191 |
| Samaritans of Thailand (Bangkok) | 02 713 6793 |
| Samaritans (UK) | 116 123 |
| OSCC (Abuse / Family Crisis) | 1300 |
| Tourist Police (English) | 1155 |
| AA Thailand | aathailand.org |
| NA Thailand | na.org/meetingsearch |
| GamCare (UK) | 0808 8020 133 |
| NCPG Helpline (US gambling) | 1-800-522-4700 |
| Veterans Crisis Line (US) | 988 then option 1 |
| Combat Stress (UK veterans) | 0800 138 1619 |
| BetterHelp (online therapy) | betterhelp.com |
| GriefShare | griefshare.org |
| Befrienders Worldwide | befrienders.org |
| RAINN | rainn.org |
Contact details, meeting schedules, and service availability change. Verify directly before relying on any listing here.
Not everything needs a hotline.
Sometimes what helps most is simply being around people who are navigating the same place. Real meetups, a forum, and people who are not performing how well the move is going.
Common Questions
Are there English-speaking support groups in Thailand?
Yes, though they require more effort to find than in most Western countries. AA and NA hold regular English-language meetings in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya. Private therapists and hospital-based services in Bangkok and Chiang Mai operate in English. Remote platforms like BetterHelp are available from anywhere in Thailand with internet access.
How do I find AA or NA meetings in Thailand?
AA Thailand runs an active English-language meeting programme. Search aathailand.org for current meeting times. Schedules change, so don't rely on a fixed address. NA has a smaller presence, primarily in Bangkok. The NA meeting finder at na.org/meetingsearch lists Thailand results.
Is PTSD treatment available in Thailand?
Yes. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), one of the most evidence-backed PTSD treatments, is available through English-speaking therapists in Bangkok. Bangkok Hospital and Samitivej both have psychiatric departments with English-speaking staff. The Dawn Wellness Centre in Chiang Mai provides residential trauma-informed treatment for international patients.
Where can domestic abuse victims get help in Thailand?
Call 1300 (Thailand's OSCC national helpline, 24/7) for immediate support. If you are a foreign national, your home embassy's welfare team is the most effective parallel call. They can arrange accommodation referrals, accompany you to hospital or police, and in serious situations assist with repatriation.
Is there LGBTQ+ community support in Thailand?
Thailand is generally tolerant of LGBTQ+ identities in daily life, though legal protections lag behind social norms. The Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT) in Bangkok and MPLUS Foundation in Chiang Mai both offer health, counselling, and community support specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals, including expats.
What help is available for expat veterans with PTSD in Thailand?
The Royal British Legion has a Thailand branch for UK veterans. American Legion posts operate in Bangkok and Pattaya for US veterans. The US Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988, option 1, by international call) and UK Combat Stress (0800 138 1619) are both reachable from Thailand by phone.
Can't find what you need? Contact us directly.
We are not a treatment provider. But if you are stuck and looking for a specific type of support not listed here, get in touch and we will do what we can to point you toward real, safe help.
Contact THAIBKAsking for help here is harder than it should be. Do it anyway.
The isolation that makes Thailand difficult to ask for help in is also part of what makes asking for it matter so much. Whatever you are carrying, you are not the only person in Thailand carrying it, and the resources to help with it exist. The numbers at the top of this page are answered by real people, right now.