The government has decided to use 911 as the main emergency phone number nationwide, as it can connect to more state agencies than the existing 191.
The cabinet approved a bill on emergency telephone numbers Tuesday, said Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, deputy spokesman of the Prime Minister's Office. The numbers 191 and 1669 will still work for police and the ambulance service respectively, he said. Misuse of the 911 line may lead to prosecution.
The cabinet chose from 911, the hotline used in the US, and 112, used mainly in European countries.
"The cabinet thought 911 was more appropriate since people might confuse 112 with Section 112 [of the Criminal Code] and this may tarnish the [royal] institution," he said. Section 112 is the lese majeste law, and the penalty for breaking it ranges from three to 15 years.
A national committee, chaired by the prime minister, will be set up to administer the 911 system.