Mobile Phones

**CaptainNemo** · 03-12-2010, 10:18 PM

Just a general pondering about what people's preferences are and why when using mobiles in Thailand... (and anywhere nearby I suppose)

I mean, some people are in Thailand all the time, pretty much, and some for long periods every year, and some just for short spells.

I just wonder what the best options are for getting and using a mobile in these different scenarios.

Are there any rules or pitfalls about what you're allowed to get in terms of SIMs and contracts?

I dunno whether having a Blackberry might make life easier, if you regularly travel to quite a few countries for work, or whether just getting some phone off a local might do, if you're just there for a few weeks or months a year.

I know Japan's a different set up altogether; I've never used a mobile in Thailand or SEAsia, but it might be about time I started to.

Any thoughts?

(seems like a useful thread anyway... unless there's an older one on this I haven't seen...)

**Smug Farang Bore** · 03-12-2010, 11:20 PM

I use the one they haven't stolen off me that particular week..

**Ciaphas** · 04-12-2010, 02:51 PM

If you don't live in Thailand your best option is to buy a pay as you go sim when you arrive and throw it away when you leave.

The Cat · 04-12-2010, 03:04 PM

I use an unlocked HTC Desire and use a Sony Ericsson W300i for LOS.

**terry57** · 04-12-2010, 07:34 PM

Buy yourself a 12call sim card and away you go.

Cheap as chips bro.

**DrAndy** · 05-12-2010, 10:33 AM

yep, just get a local SIM card from DTAC and use it. There is a very cheap option but you have to use it a bit otherwise it will expire

if you are likely to return, before you leave you can change the option you are on to one which costs a lot more to use but you don't have to pay in, so you keep your number until you return. Then you can change back to the cheap option

to change options, all you have to do is pay in B100 each time, which you use for calls

**The Muffinman** · 05-12-2010, 10:50 AM

Just get yourself a AIS 12Call rechargeble sim that stores credit for 12 months. Cheap as chips to buy (50 or 100 bht, can't remember). Top up the card when needed (any 7/11), when you leave LOS the remaining credit will be valid for 12 months from the last top up and you get to keep the same number.
Call costs Bht 2 per min national calls. Expensive international though!

sabaii sabaii · 06-12-2010, 01:43 PM

Or alternatively get a True sim card. Only 1.5 baht per minute to call UK

**Thormaturge** · 06-12-2010, 01:51 PM

AIS have several different tarrifs and you can alter the call rate via the phone once you have installed the SIM. I currently pay 75 Satang per minute. Problem is that I cannot find the number you need to change the tarrif but it must all be on the internet somewhere....

**harrybarracuda** · 07-12-2010, 10:51 AM

You can buy cheapy dual sim phones (TWZ I the make I think) for Bt1,200 or thereabouts. Then you can have one number for the wife, and another one for the language instructors that give you lessons in your room.

**inthaiguy** · 21-04-2011, 09:05 PM

I used to have a post paid DTAC number but honestly it cost me more than a post paid number which I am now on. If using a smartphone, you need to consider True Move for the current data speeds. I pay 399/ month and that's more than enough data for a heavy user.

sabaii sabaii · 21-04-2011, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by inthaiguy

I used to have a post paid DTAC number but honestly it cost me more than a pre paid number which I am now on

is that what you meant bud ?

**CaptainNemo** · 19-04-2012, 07:20 AM

How about smartyphones?
Having resisted for some time, I'm now on the verge of giving in and getting one (for both work and non-work reasons).
Being a tightwad, who has got by on free old phone from friends, and then £15 phones from the supermarket, getting a sim-free jobby feels a bit spendy, and the free upgrades of a fancy £200+ phone are quite appealing now, for what, £20 a month.
Dunno how much time I'll spend in TL/SEA v UK - could be anywhere between 0-100% of the year. Some UK operators do international SIMs that seem bearable.
Does anyone spend unpredictable amounts of time in TL, and use a fancyphone?

**adzt1** · 19-04-2012, 08:53 AM

yep . smartphone. all the gizmos there is. 1gig ram 1.2 ghz processor.
buy one that is not "network restricted" I.e Sim unlocked.
insert UK sim in UK and a Thai one here.
wouldn't be without it!!!

**adzt1** · 19-04-2012, 08:59 AM

if u are going to stay or go or don't know . use pay and go. I used to use vodafone contract, what a rip off when abroad for months at a time.
internet packages are cheap, then make calls VOIP .. super cheap

**CaptainNemo** · 20-04-2012, 06:16 AM

Yeah, I guess... That's been my approach, and I've always been phobic of contract phone deals. It seemed to me that the benefit of a contract phone was that:
a. you spread the cost of the phone
b. you get free upgrades to the next piece of hardware

Not so keen on shelling out on a phone that might not stand the test of time.

I'm thinking about a businessy smartphone really - with lots of sockets and officey and free software (i.e. android - i might even write my own apps).

**nedwalk** · 20-04-2012, 01:25 PM

i use an old nokia,and thai sim..mate i could leave the phone on a bar and no bastard would steal it..its that old, still useing the same battery and all, when i hit happy land i just reload, provideing it ain,t run out and i have to change me sim, which is a pain in the arse

**Phuketrichard** · 21-04-2012, 11:38 AM

today in the bangkok post they ran a note that a MAX charge will be set for mobile data within 1 year across networks
max charge will be 1 baht/minute.

based on study this year
dtac charges 76 satang/
True 67
AIS only 54

I use an old Nokia E51 but am upgrading to a Nokia 700 soon,

**Kwang** · 21-04-2012, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by nedwalk

i use an old nokia,and thai sim..mate i could leave the phone on a bar and no bastard would steal it

you must drink in more upmarket establishments than me,Ned, i've lost a couple of those 1000 baht Nokias. the fukkers would steal the steam off your piss

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