Thai Sim cards for short term visitors

JimboPSM

I am bringing three friends to HH for two and a half weeks, they will all have UK mobiles with them.

I'm wondering if it is worth them getting Thai sim cards for their phones rather than being stuck with huge overseas costs for using their phones here.

Has anyone done this or costed it out?

If so, any recommendations?

westmoor04 · Amateur Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 28

Hi this does work out much cheaper, with a uk sim card you pay £1.50 for every received call and text, when you call someone it is Approx £1.50 for connection then same per minute. I got thai sim card from 7-11 i think i spent about £20.00 for 3 weeks compared to £160.00 when i used my t-mobile sim card on a previous visit and i rang uk regularly.
Hopr this helps.

Big Boy · Legend Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 3628 Location: UK

Jimbo,

It is certainly a worthwhile venture - the only problem they might experience is if their phones are locked in to a network provider such as Vodaphone. If that is the case, they will have to get their phones unlocked as well - not too costly, and certainly better than UK connection charges.

I normally get my daughter to buy our cards a week before we arrive. That way she can advise our new numbers, and we can let people know how to contact us in an emergency.
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niggle · Professional Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 496

The majority of mobiles can be unblocked - just a few are unable to be unblocked. Had my phone unlocked a while ago at a little corner shop - cost £10

Hervelon · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:10 pm Post subject: sim card

i use 1.2.call all the times, much cheaper than my UK mobile....as soon as i get to Thailand i switch my sims over.Although in order to be reachable to all my contacts, i have displayed in my signature on all my emails my Thai number so that people who really want to reach me can.
H
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BaaBaa. · Legend Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2247 Location: England.

Also if calling to England use 00944 rather than just 0044.
Makes calls cheaper.
Cheers

2dandan · Specialist Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 132

If you need to contact Thai telephone numbers visit

http://www.0844calls.co.uk/rates.php

They will provide an access number to dial prior to phoning the Thailand number.

Calls to landlines cost 0.5p per minute and mobiles 1p per minute.

Big Boy · Legend Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 3628 Location: UK

2dandan,

Thanks for the valuable information. Unfortunately, I've just tried it and the message came back saying that they are currently over subscribed.

However, I've just subscribed to their newsletter and will wait with baited breath.

1P per minute is certainly better than the 3p per minute we're currently paying - might not sound much, but with the amount of time wife spends on the phone to Thailand, it will make quite a difference.
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Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Blackpool
Who said, "I've dumped PAFC for Eutopia at Liecester?"
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SuperTonic · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 4:13 am Post subject:

Glyn · Rookie Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 16

You can purchase sim cards from mobile telephone shops for 300 baht which includes 300 bahts worth of calls (1-2-1). International calls can also be made using 009 prefix then country code at I think 9 baht per minute, I have just purchased such a sim card for my friend, and it works fine.

Big Boy · Legend Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 3628 Location: UK

SuperTonic wrote:

SuperTonic · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject:

Well I gave it a quick go and it seemed to work so maybe it's dependent on the time of day?

2dandan · Specialist Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 132

Big Boy,

I've used the 0844 number on numerous occasions without any problem.

Dial the access number, then the country code, then the Thai number - dropping the first 0.

example....Thai mobile number 0812345678.

Access number, then - 0066812345678

Big Boy · Legend Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 3628 Location: UK

2dandan,

Every time we dial the 0844 number, the auto lady comes on the phone with an apology saying that the service is currently over subscribed. I've been trying it at regular intervals since last night - just to see if it would work. Unfortunately my wife still had to phone Thailand at 3p per minute today.

I'm using the mobile number, and am dialling 0844 861 2121. Am I the only one getting the over-subscribed message? Is there something I'm doing wrong?
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Who said, "I've dumped PAFC for Eutopia at Liecester?"
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2dandan · Specialist Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 132

Big Boy,

I've tried it (using the access number you gave) about 5 times in past few minutes dialling a number I know I won't be connected to. (My Thai phone currently in the UK)

On every occasion it has dialled through and then told me that it cannot make a connection to the requested number, so I'm quite happy that it's working correctly.

I've never had a message about it being oversubscribed. If you go to the 0844 rates page, there is a link, within the text at the top of the page, to take you to detailed dialling instructions. Maybe there's something there which might help you.

Do you have a regular service provider like BT, because if you have an obscure one, that might make a difference.