Up to 60,000 people have died despite emergency calls in Thailand this year, says the National Emergency Medical Service Institute's acting director Dr Surachet Satitniramai.

About 30,000 suffered from severe diseases, about 14,000 were injured and the rest died from other reasons.

Over the past year, the agency has received a million phone calls, but only 500,00 people were assisted.

"Most died because we could not help them soon. I blame the medical and official systems, which lack facilities and flexibility," Surachet says

He says the institute needs to develop a system that would allow medical teams to reach victims as soon as possible.

This should include information technology because there are four emergency hotline numbers, confusing members of the public. The agency would prefer to see one number.