Quality of phone connections in Bangkok?
Jun 13, 2006, 4:27 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Just a quick follow-up...AIS/1-2-Call seems to have sorted out the bulk of their system and interconnect problems? The past few days calls seem to be going through closer to half the time where it was maybe 10% last week, except during 4 PM to 7 PM, and SMS Tx/Rx seems to be 100%? I also have a dTAC post-paid account, and can say that their service has been much, much, much better. So I'd still go with my recommendation for a dTAC/Happy pre-paid SIM.
Calls in Thailand link which explains the various alternatives for calling internationally.
From Thailand to the U.S.A...
001/+1 9 baht/min
008 7 baht/min (TOT)
009 6 baht/min (CAT)
exclusive of 7% VAT
Local calls (outbound) depend on the promotion you've specifically requested or defaulted to; could be anyting between half a baht per min, all the way up to 5 baht/min.
Calls in Thailand link which explains the various alternatives for calling internationally.
From Thailand to the U.S.A...
001/+1 9 baht/min
008 7 baht/min (TOT)
009 6 baht/min (CAT)
exclusive of 7% VAT
Local calls (outbound) depend on the promotion you've specifically requested or defaulted to; could be anyting between half a baht per min, all the way up to 5 baht/min.
Jun 13, 2006, 7:05 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Kam Leng; Two Dragons GH
Posts: 1,615
Originally Posted by transpac
...
AFAIK, convenience stores do not sell pre-paid SIMs, but they do sell top-up cards and pre-paid calling cards. Mobile phone shops, of which there are more than convenience stores, sell pre-paid SIMs. AFAIK, pre-apaid SIMs need to be registered to an ID card (for a Thai) or a passport. I know when I first bought my pre-paid SIM this requirement was not in place but I did have to register by 31 Dec. 2005 or face loss of service. There is a short form the shop needs to fill out, and an original passport was required in my case, and in every case I know of first-hand.
AFAIK, convenience stores do not sell pre-paid SIMs, but they do sell top-up cards and pre-paid calling cards. Mobile phone shops, of which there are more than convenience stores, sell pre-paid SIMs. AFAIK, pre-apaid SIMs need to be registered to an ID card (for a Thai) or a passport. I know when I first bought my pre-paid SIM this requirement was not in place but I did have to register by 31 Dec. 2005 or face loss of service. There is a short form the shop needs to fill out, and an original passport was required in my case, and in every case I know of first-hand.
Jun 13, 2006, 7:23 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: UA Premier Gold, 1.5 Million Mile Flyer
Posts: 3,546
I have purchased 3 DTAC sim cards from 3 different 7-11s in the past 18 months. All were 199 Baht. Only the last time in April did I need the passport #.
IME, cell phone coverage and voice quality in BKK is vastly superior to that in the USA.
IME, cell phone coverage and voice quality in BKK is vastly superior to that in the USA.
Jun 13, 2006, 8:20 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
As a longer-term heads-up, be aware that the plan is to change to a ten digit dialing plan for mobile phones in Thailand as of 1 September 2006.
Simply put, insert "8" between the leading zero and the second digit for in-country calls and drop the leading zero, after adding the "8", for international in-bound calls.
Not sure how firm this date is? It might have been June previously?
Thailand will use 10-digit mobile telephone system on September 1
Thailand will change from 9-digit to 10-digit mobile telephone system on September 1.
Setthaporn Khusripithak (เศรษฐพร คูศรีพิทักษ์), a member of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said the change, approved by the telecom regulator yesterday, was in response to the rapid expansion of the use of mobile telephones.
With the 10-digit system, the country will have enough mobile telephone numbers for the next 30 years, Mr. Setthaporn said.
Beginning September 1, users of all mobile telephone systems will have to dial the prefix 08, he said. For examples, the number 01-123-4567 will be changed to 08-112-345-67 and the new number of 09-123-4567 will be 08-912-345-67.
Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 May 2006
Simply put, insert "8" between the leading zero and the second digit for in-country calls and drop the leading zero, after adding the "8", for international in-bound calls.
Not sure how firm this date is? It might have been June previously?
Thailand will use 10-digit mobile telephone system on September 1
Thailand will change from 9-digit to 10-digit mobile telephone system on September 1.
Setthaporn Khusripithak (เศรษฐพร คูศรีพิทักษ์), a member of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said the change, approved by the telecom regulator yesterday, was in response to the rapid expansion of the use of mobile telephones.
With the 10-digit system, the country will have enough mobile telephone numbers for the next 30 years, Mr. Setthaporn said.
Beginning September 1, users of all mobile telephone systems will have to dial the prefix 08, he said. For examples, the number 01-123-4567 will be changed to 08-112-345-67 and the new number of 09-123-4567 will be 08-912-345-67.
Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 May 2006
Mar 29, 2007, 4:59 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: NW Plat (now they call it DL Diamond) 1MM, soon to be DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Dusit Gold
Posts: 2,706
39 baht SIM
I bought one on the street for 39 baht included in the pack was the 50 baht free time, so I am now 11 baht to the good and have a SIM which does not neet to be activated for a year.