Travel Technology - Prepaid Internet in Thailand

Does Thailand have a prepaid mobile system where I can use an unlocked USB modem connected to my laptop to get data access in my hotel room? I do not have a 3G phone let alone a 4G one - so connecting on my laptop is the only option!

Does Thailand have a prepaid mobile system where I can use an unlocked USB modem connected to my laptop to get data access in my hotel room? I do not have a 3G phone let alone a 4G one - so connecting on my laptop is the only option!

Yes, you can pick up a SIM card at the airport.

Happy Tourist SIM (http://www.happy.co.th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=448&Itemid=491&lang=en) available from the airport. 49 Baht/day for unlimited data. Look under "service halls" on the site to see the airport shop. Better to get one on arrival as it takes a day to activate data.

Also consider cheapish wifi if it's close to where you're staying - lookout for 3bb wifi, though the website is in Thai.

What can you all recommend if I want to have a simcard in Thailand for specific use in my iPhone 4S? I'd like to have 3G. Speed and area of cover are important.
Do they have micro-sims widely available?

I certainly want prepaid and no surprises after ;) .

(Mods: if deemed suitable, this may also be transferred to the Thailand forum)

its easy , they even have the small Sims for iPhones, prepaid is what most Thais use , and iPhones are very popular !

I have a True sim , and for 100 baht a month extra you can get a password to use the True WiFi which is all around Bangkok.

Soarer

Can I ask a dumb question? If I swap out my AT&T sim card for a DTAC card, would I have to update all my contacts with an int'l dialing prefix in order to text someone in the US? Would the answer be any difference if I am texting another iphone using i-messaging? (and vice-versa, could my contacts reach me via imessaging if I haven't given them my DTAC phone number?)

I think if I don't swap out my sim card and only use wifi then I could use i-messaging without changing contact phone numbers, but maybe I am wrong about that?

Can I ask a dumb question? If I swap out my AT&T sim card for a DTAC card, would I have to update all my contacts with an int'l dialing prefix in order to text someone in the US? Would the answer be any difference if I am texting another iphone using i-messaging? (and vice-versa, could my contacts reach me via imessaging if I haven't given them my DTAC phone number?)

I think if I don't swap out my sim card and only use wifi then I could use i-messaging without changing contact phone numbers, but maybe I am wrong about that?

Yes you would need to change all your numbers with the international prefix - any world traveller always enters numbers in that format anyway. Not sure if you could sync-excel-resync somehow to ease the pain. You'll need to do it anyway, so why not just edit a few a night while watching TV?

If imessaging is available, then you can use that without changing the numbers - even with the Thai SIM and using a data connection.

Yes you would need to change all your numbers with the international prefix - any world traveller always enters numbers in that format anyway. Not sure if you could sync-excel-resync somehow to ease the pain. You'll need to do it anyway, so why not just edit a few a night while watching TV?

If imessaging is available, then you can use that without changing the numbers - even with the Thai SIM and using a data connection.

thanks.

If I want to get a Thai SIM card is the airport really the easiest place? Do I have to do anything extra to use data (or just top it off with add'l THB)? (Is the BKK DTAC store on the same level as the exit from customs?)

Once you clear the customs there is AIS stand on the arrivals halls. I just go there if I have lost my SIM or need to top up my account. They can also activate the data on the spot.

Great, thanks.

TRU has a stand right in arrivals also. It's so easy there.

Right after you exit customs, pass the AOT stand, there's a bunch of kiosks along the window side of that hallway, where all the people are waiting for their friends/family to arrive. I know you will see AIS and TRU, not sure about the other one mentioned in this thread.

-David

Sign up for a free Google Voice account before you leave the US. Use your Google voice number to text the United States. It will be free for you and a domestic text for your friends back in the States. Use iMessage for your friends with an iPhone.