moondog

Yes roaming calls on Fi do cost .20 per minute. I guess I didn't make too many because I hardly noticed the impact on my bill.

transpac

Yes, it looks like T-Mobile is discouraging this 2FA alternative with this plan.

Domestic use only

https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/plan-detail/pay-as-you-go

And have moved this sort of customer downstream to their MVNO providers like Ting.

Some MVNOs offer WiFi calling, which negates the requirement for international roaming, and delivers calls and texts over WiFi.

I know some folks here using Freedom Pop for 2FA.

Other options to investigate: AT&T's $2/day (only charged for days when used); H2O (still allows int'l texting).

Ting may well be the best option for you? $72/year plus minimal charges for SMS.

riclagriclag

I looked at the comments and reviews of H20 past and present customers ,some weren't very satisfied with the service dept. but that's true for a lot of providers .Their plan doesn't cover roaming out side the country.. I don't remember if Freedom pop either didn't except GSM or they didn't offer roaming.
I just can't bare the thought of Ting jumping ship to go with Verizon on 12/20.,so I'm porting my number out to Mintmobile. They have a pay as you go plan and they will except my $30 GSM flip phone . Their plan ,$15 that covers roaming , 5 cents for txts and 25 cents pm for roaming international calls,Customers must buy $5,10,or 20 of minutes to have access to International calls. Incoming txt coming are free.They have a $10 plan but that's domestic only.. With taxes comes under $200 per year ,more than double of Ting..I'll bite the bullet for 1 year .I'll watch how Ting and Verizon roll out in 12/20

rbAA

Seems that you're making things more complicated than they need to be. Been here 3.5 years previously three years of Non-O retirement visas, but right now on a 30 day tourist changing to 90 day resident, then one year marriage visa (since I do my own visa app's,), and, yes, this is the first year they actually required the TM30. Use T-Mobile from US since I go to the US (as well as other countries where T-Mobile works fine) frequently and can receive calls from the US, plus free texts and 2G data here (on dtac,) and have a Thai number from True (package deal for about THB854 per month includes TV, 100 Mb internet plus Wifi spots and 1 Gb 4G data plus texts, calls are separate but cheap, on a dual SIM unlocked Samsung Galaxy phone. Use my US Citibank account here as their ATM's are free, and offer the best exchange (WSJ +$1MM Forex rates,) and a Thai bank for the THB40k per month transfered by wire. from the US. Line and Skype for international calls from my mobile.