Using my laptop in a nat 'cafe'

poisoner · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:24 am Post subject: Using my laptop in a nat 'cafe'

Hi,
Post aimed mainly at Buksida I guess.
I run a few websites here in the UK & my house won't have a phone line connected at my Thai house when I come over in a few weeks.
Ideally I need to jack my laptop into a network pretty much on a daily basis as I'll need to ftp files etc
Do you know of any places that will let me do this?, obviously wi-fi would a bonus, but I don't really expect that.
Thanks
Al
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shafter · Rookie Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Guess

Buy a Vodafone mobile connect card in the uk, its about the size of a credit card and slots into the side of your lap top.

When you arrive buy a one to call pre pay sim card slot it in and call their customer service to register for computer access and away you go.

Works faster than the normal internet sometimes and is very cheap.

buksida · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 9:58 am Post subject:

Yeah, I'd really suggest getting your own connection since a lot of the internet cafes here are pretty amature and you wouldnt want viruses on your laptop.

I've seen a system which uses the above along with a 1-2-call sim card so you can connect through your Thai mobile. Also Hutch offer a similar thing for 1,000 baht a month, you can buy them in Big C.
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red dwarf · Member Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 70 Location: In town

nat 'cafe'
would this be the sort of place insects go to chill out

Nail on the head Mr Buksida there are a few cafe's in town which will alow you to plug into their network if you do make sure your precious laptop has all its faculties up to date
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poisoner · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:44 pm Post subject:

Good replies guy's - many thanks.

Shafter, with regard to the Vodafone connect card, is this something that you're doing, or do you know someone that uses this method?. This sounds like a good option & I may never really need to get a land line installed in the house.
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Yung · Member Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 75 Location: At sea

Well, this depends on whether you can use UMTS/EDGE/GPRS in Hua Hin or not (tried to find out in an earlier post, but no replies yet). If not, you will only get 9.6 kbps which is dead slow. HSCSD (multiple lines) would be a little faster and more expensive (per minute).

Hails · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:43 pm Post subject:

Can I please jump in here - I have a laptop too that I'll be bringing with me, can someone please clarify for me - so I get to Thailand, I go to a shop, I buy a pre-pay internet card, insert into my pc, and Bob's my uncle? Or do I need to purchase a mobile also? Prices? Thanks (from a not very computer literate blonde Very Happy

who needs things explained slooowly...).

buksida · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:52 pm Post subject:

Hails, you can buy a dialup package that you can use with your laptop over a standard phone line no problem. Costs are 3 baht for the call and whatever the package costs (usually about 500 baht for the month on one of those unlimited deals).

With regards to other systems such as EDGE or CDMA from Hutch, this site has a little info but I suggest contacting them direct to enquire about availablility in HH.

http://www.edgethailand.com/
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Hails · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 6:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks buksida. Had a look at the site but it looks like I'd need to spend 9 - 10k just to set up. Is this normal? Also, I'll be travelling around a bit before I settle in HH, am I going to be able to get internet connected as soon as I arrive in LOS? And am I going to be able to use a webcam (from what I'm reading internet in LS is pretty crap...)?

buksida · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 7:25 pm Post subject:

Unless you want to plug your laptop into internet cafes which isnt really recommended this is your only option for mobile internet in Thailand (there are more wifi hotspots in Bangkok). It isnt cheap and it isnt quick ... welcome to Thailand.

Webcams are okay on top end ADSL systems but again, not cheap.
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Baltic · Amateur Joined: 20 Aug 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Estonia

buksida · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:02 pm Post subject:

Springfield has one and I think theres one in Starbucks. I know theres one at Evason as I set it up for them.

Other than that you'll have to contact the hotels.
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shafter · Rookie Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Guess

As i already said, buy Vodafone connect card.

You call customer services and they give you info ie dial up number.

Has worked for 2 years no problem.

You can buy Dixons, Currys or any good computer store uk.

Mine works at 256kps or so it says but for sure quicker than adsl at many times of day due to low subscription.

Yung · Member Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 75 Location: At sea

Hails:

You don't need to buy a new PC-card if you already have a mobile (most newer mobiles are modems as well). Usually you only need a cable (USB), the top class mobiles usually have wireless connection as an option (Bluetooth or Infra Red), then it depends on what is compatible with your laptop... If you don't have a mobile I suggest you get one, it's a cheaper solution than buying the PC-card (PCMCIA) and then you have a phone as well. The PC-card is easier to use as it chooses the fastest possible connection for you, while with a phone you will have to check what is available and use that method. (UMTS/EDGE/GPRS/HSCSD or just 9.6 kbps GSM data).

If you don't have wireless LAN on your laptop then a PC-card (that also has wireless LAN) would be a better solution.

Hails · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:27 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone - I definately don't plan to plug my laptop into an internet cafe.

I've looked up vodafone connect cards and found nothing - I'm in NZ.

Yung I do have a mobile that can connect to the web. But I have no idea if it is compatible with my phone...

Do you think if I took my laptop into an internet cafe or the like, someone would give me honest advice and show me how to do it?