Originally Posted by
Diplomatico
Not particularly relevant to this specific discussion but Verizon in the US does not allow you to use your phone as a wifi hotspot unless you pay them an extra monthly fee. So I will politely disagree that it's "the phone" that blocks that functionality.
Back on topic, AIS will most certainly allow it in Thailand.
I believe that is a carrier branded phone along with network settings that blocks that - my friend had the issue with his Verizon phone going into Thailand until he forced a reset of the network settings, then it worked fine. Even in Thailand, it prompted him to unlock by visiting Verizon.com. Connecting back to the network in the states, it popped up with a message that he needed to pay for mobile hotspot from Verizon. Carrier subsidized phones are not as common outside of the US though. Data is data, my opinion is that US carriers are just gouging people to pay for mobile hotspot capability.