Mobile Phone in Mukdahan

[JoshuaInMukdahan]

Should I pick up a phone in Grungthep prior to jumping on the bus to Mukdahan or can I easily get a decent phone there?

Also which provider is the most reliable in that province? AIS, True, Dtac?

[Marmite the Dog]

^ Seriously, Thailand is about as developed as most of the US. I'm sure Mukdahan has as many mobile phone shops as every other city here.

AIS usually has the best coverage, but DTAC is pretty much there nowadays and is usually cheaper.

True are a bunch of kunts.

[Ciaphas]

You get a better choice and are slightly cheaper in Bangkok, only ever used AIS or Dtac never had a problem with either.

[nigelandjan]

Dont worry mate there are many shops / stalls in Mukdhan to buy phones ,, unless ofcourse you want a specific phone then youd be better looking in a big town or city.
Only ever used 12 call never had a prob anywhere so cant comment on the others

[isanmick]

If Mukdahan doesn't have a mobile phone shop I'd be surprised but Nakhon Phanom defently will.

[isanmick]

I also only use 12call and find them very good.

[JoshuaInMukdahan]

Thank you all very much.

12call is AIS's prepaid GSM right?

Do the cards expire after a certain amount of days? I know that is the gimmick used in the State's and the reason nobody wants to prepay a year of service here.

[Norton]

Should I pick up a phone in Grungthep prior to jumping on the bus to Mukdahan or can I easily get a decent phone there?

You will find all sorts of shops on Sois off Indochine Market. Start with 12 Call sim card. You can purchase where you buy your phone.

[Marmite the Dog]

Do the cards expire after a certain amount of days?

Yes, but if you stick 300B or similar on the phone each time then you get a fair bit longer than if you do it 50B at a time.

Oh, I forgot the insult, you earsling!

[terry57]

Should I pick up a phone in Grungthep prior to jumping on the bus to Mukdahan ?

Mate you got to do a bit of research or you'll last about 2.5 seconds over here.

Fok taking the bus all the way from Bangkok to Mukdahan as its a frigging long way and you'll be a nutter by the time you get there.

Take a nice leisurely trip out to Ubon Ratchatani on the train and then take the bus from there to Mukdahan. Awesome scenery out that way along the Mekong.

You don't know the country so why not take your time seeing the towns along the way,make a trip out of it over a few days.

[Norton]

Take a nice leisurely trip out to Ubon Ratchatani on the train and then take the bus from there to Mukdahan. Awesome scenery out that way along the Mekong.

That's his plan Terry.

https://teakdoor.com/north-east-thail...r-arrival.html

[terry57]

Take a nice leisurely trip out to Ubon Ratchatani on the train and then take the bus from there to Mukdahan. Awesome scenery out that way along the Mekong.

That's his plan Terry.

https://teakdoor.com/north-east-thail...r-arrival.html

I've advised the dude to get a decent guide book as he has absolutely no idea about nothing and is asking some incredibly basic questions.

One was does the friggin train go all the way to Mukdahan?

Jeeessusss mate.

I mean if I was going to relocate to Thailand and was a newbie I'd try and clue myself up a bit with the basic info and then hit a forum with the hard questions.

Anyway lets see what pans out eh.

[nigelandjan]

Take a nice leisurely trip out to Ubon Ratchatani on the train and then take the bus from there to Mukdahan. Awesome scenery out that way along the Mekong.

You could do or I know what I would do ,, Id fly straight to Udon Thani ( whatever hotels bus was there waiting ) Id jump on that have a nice nice in that hotel and then take a leisurly bus from Udon in the morning ,, but then thats just me

[JoshuaInMukdahan]

One was does the friggin train go all the way to Mukdahan?

Jeeessusss mate.

I mean if I was going to relocate to Thailand and was a newbie I'd try and clue myself up a bit with the basic info and then hit a forum with the hard questions.

Anyway lets see what pans out eh.

Thank you for the tips. I have read the guidebooks as well as thousands of posts on other forums for the past few years. In fact I do define my latest questions as the hard ones since it is the information not readily available in the guidebooks. The reason I asked about the train to Mukdahan is because the way Norton phrased one of his posts. If you look further down that thread I made clear that I didn't think their was route going into Mukdahan but thought maybe there had been some updated route since last I knew. Even in Thailand I figured there might be some advancement now and then on transit lol.

As far as how it pans out... It is a done deal. Visa's - Tickets - Mortgages - Cars ... All has been handled and I AM coming. I am not just some 19 year old looking for an adventure

I did enjoy the guidebooks as far as the suggestions of what to do and things to see but many of them try to reinforce the culture of Thailand a bit more than needed. I am not so much interested in reading 100 times in a week not to point with your feet. My wife is Lao and so much of the cultural stuff seems a waste of ink to me as it is already part of our culture.

Speaking of things not yet in the guidebooks is the newer bridge in Mukdahan open yet? Last I knew it was supposed to open in December 2010. Did it?

[nigelandjan]

I AM coming. I am not just some 19 year old

Said the same thing to my missus during the first dirty deed together ,, wished I had just kept quiet as she was quite impressed ,, up to that point .

[JoshuaInMukdahan]

LOL

Touche.

[Marmite the Dog]

Speaking of things not yet in the guidebooks is the newer bridge in Mukdahan open yet? Last I knew it was supposed to open in December 2010. Did it?

Yep.

BTW, just to confuse things further, I'd fly to Khon Kaen then bus it to Mukdahan, unless you're with a sexy chick, then the train can be good fun (also to KK).

Can I ask why you're going to Mukdahan? It not most people's main destination in Thailand.

[JoshuaInMukdahan]

Can I ask why you're going to Mukdahan? It not most people's main destination in Thailand.

I am looking to pick up mia noy #3 and I hear that the bars in Muk are all night long. I hope I have not been misinformed. 5555

My in-laws are just over the river, but in my white skin I am not comfortable enough to consider living on that side for any more than just a few days at a time. I don't know how long we will be there but certainly hoping to be there at least a few years. Will be seeking longer term rental and employment there soon. I am not worried about these things though as I have figured out most of my gameplan for these matters.

[Norton]

My in-laws are just over the river, but in my white skin I am not comfortable enough to consider living on that side for any more than just a few days at a time.

Savannakhet not the most exciting place to live. White skin not the problem.Terminal boredom could be, however.

[JoshuaInMukdahan]

It gets a little worse lol... They live 40km Southwest in a tiny village of about 500 people, a small school and of course a wat. The funny thing is that measly 40km they say is 3 hours.

Then people here, regarding riding around, are suggesting that travel from province to province on motorcycle is a dangerous thing and very time consuming (oddly enough I've read dozens of posts on cross country rides??). I look at the maps between Nong Khai and Mukdahan and think to myself 'God sounds like a nice ride'. My only guess is it must be nothing but dirt roads, Isaan people would flip their lid to learn my employees drive nearly 600km per day in a 7 hour work day. Is there no pavement there is that the issue?

[DrB0b]

Thank you all very much.

12call is AIS's prepaid GSM right?

Do the cards expire after a certain amount of days? I know that is the gimmick used in the State's and the reason nobody wants to prepay a year of service here.

They do, yes. There are ways around that. When you buy the card it'll be on the default package, something like 1.5 baht per minute with credit expiring in less than a month. Most Thai mobile phone providers a number of different promotional packages, you can change your package through the phone - the number to call will be pre-programmed on the sim and the voice menu for choosing your promotion package will be available in Thai or English. Listen to the various offers and then just choose the one you like best.

The package I chose, a DTAC one, gives 1 Baht a minute calls, 25 Satang per minute out of peak business hours, free calls to one other DTAC number of your choice, and as long as you keep even 1 Baht credit on the phone the credit doesn't expire. DTAC has a customer website and once you register your phone on there you can sign up for other promotions and discount packages offering you things like 50 Baht free credit for every 500 Baht you put on the phone.

[Marmite the Dog]

oddly enough I've read dozens of posts on cross country rides?

Generally done on a motorbike, not a scooter.

[DrB0b]

are suggesting that travel from province to province on motorcycle is a dangerous thing and very time consuming

On a real motorbike it's not particularly time-consuming and traveling anywhere on Thai roads is dangerous - you'll get used to it fairly quickly though and soon become as big a menace to life and limb as the rest of us. If you're by yourself and it's not the rainy season then I think a motorbike is a great way to travel. If you try long-distance riding on the standard step-through motosai you'd better have an ass made of iron, it gets pretty painful after a couple of hours

[Bettyboo]

True are a bunch of kunts.

Happy.

I'd concur with Marmite and DrB on the mobile phone issues - AIS is more expensive, but may be a good bet in the sticks. I have a pay as you goer, but over the years my credit end date just gets knocked out further and further, it's not an issue when you spend a few hundred baht per month...

How you wanna get to M is up to you, all the ways will work...

T57 seems a bit tough on this thread, he's usually as soft as dough, you'll see in time; ask him to tell you about the time he fought off a 9 metre King Cobre in KPG, he might even get the pics out...

[Marmite the Dog]

it's not an issue when you spend a few hundred baht per month.

My expiry date caught up with me, so I transferred the number to a 200B/month contract.