Which pre-paid SIM card to buy?
Mar 19, 2013, 9:40 am
#211
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,121
Mar 20, 2013, 9:56 pm
#212
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Hi all! Are still in Thailand and I will tell you my experience with true move h. In Bangkok no problem find microsim and nanosim (iphone5) in stores true move, which can be found pretty easily especially in the commercial area. For pre paid (no document required), the plan is iPlay. You can add data packets also reported on the website true move. The biggest data Pack includes 5 GB data in 3 g/Edge/Gprs, high speed over 5 GB the speed is limited. Also with this (and other) package can use the wifi hot spot true move across the Thailand.
Let's cover: I've almost never had problems in northern Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang mai, Chiang rai and other isolated areas also). The coverage is pretty good and I rarely is happened that went national on the network roaming true move (without the H). In any remote Valley I was without signal, but also other operators weren't there. Now I am in Phuket (karon) and coverage is good here too.
the connection speed is acceptable across the northern part of Thailand. Obviously the 42 theoretical mbps are a fairy tale. Well that goes for download you have 1.5 Mbps. Upload the situation is more critical. Sometimes I had trouble doing uploads.
now here in Phuket (karon/kata) the coverage is excellent. But the down/up speeds are very low for many hours of the day. And here do Skype Communications is more difficult with frequent disconnections.
in the coming days I will do a few rounds in the Islands around Phuket and we will see the situation.
Let's cover: I've almost never had problems in northern Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang mai, Chiang rai and other isolated areas also). The coverage is pretty good and I rarely is happened that went national on the network roaming true move (without the H). In any remote Valley I was without signal, but also other operators weren't there. Now I am in Phuket (karon) and coverage is good here too.
the connection speed is acceptable across the northern part of Thailand. Obviously the 42 theoretical mbps are a fairy tale. Well that goes for download you have 1.5 Mbps. Upload the situation is more critical. Sometimes I had trouble doing uploads.
now here in Phuket (karon/kata) the coverage is excellent. But the down/up speeds are very low for many hours of the day. And here do Skype Communications is more difficult with frequent disconnections.
in the coming days I will do a few rounds in the Islands around Phuket and we will see the situation.
Mar 23, 2013, 6:47 pm
#214
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
DTAC/Happy do have a 1 week/1 GB unlimited internet usage (FuP 384 Kbps) plan for 199 baht.
http://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/pro...t-package.html
With TrueMove H they do have some 5 & 10 day plans.
http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/topp...talk/entry/653
Note that the DTAC/Happy weekly plan offers unlimited internet usage so you never have to worry about exceeding your cap, other than experiencing slower speeds. The TrueMove H plans are hard-capped and your balance will be depleted (either by paying by the minute or KB) once you go over your cap.
These plans would be layered onto any SIM by purchasing a SIM, adding value and then subscribing to the desired plan.
Mar 24, 2013, 2:01 am
#216
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
) June.http://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/pro...ouristsim.html
If you can't find one just buy any Happy SIM and subscribe to the weekly data plan. There is a DTAC/Happy shop, along with AIS/One-2-Call and TrueMove shops, at Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport (BKK) on level 2 (arrivals) just outside Customs, ~ door #6. If the queue to buy a SIM is too long, maybe just head into town and buy a SIM at any convenience store, or phone shop?
Mar 27, 2013, 12:52 am
#217
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,303
I keep forgetting about that Happy Tourist SIM; it may be perfect for your stay and requirements. Some web pages show it good through 31 (assume they mean 30 ) June.
http://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/pro...ouristsim.html
If you can't find one just buy any Happy SIM and subscribe to the weekly data plan. There is a DTAC/Happy shop, along with AIS/One-2-Call and TrueMove shops, at Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport (BKK) on level 2 (arrivals) just outside Customs, ~ door #6. If the queue to buy a SIM is too long, maybe just head into town and buy a SIM at any convenience store, or phone shop?
) June.http://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/pro...ouristsim.html
If you can't find one just buy any Happy SIM and subscribe to the weekly data plan. There is a DTAC/Happy shop, along with AIS/One-2-Call and TrueMove shops, at Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport (BKK) on level 2 (arrivals) just outside Customs, ~ door #6. If the queue to buy a SIM is too long, maybe just head into town and buy a SIM at any convenience store, or phone shop?
Thanks for the follow-up. Will take your advice if the queue is too long.
-David
Mar 30, 2013, 2:17 am
#219
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Nano SIMs are a bit more challenging to source, but once you have one it will work with your unlocked iPhone 5. You may have to visit a DTAC shop, or some larger retail phone shops, perhaps in the nearby Central Airport Plaza, or at Central Kad Suan Kaew? (Note that "Central" <say 'Centrahn'> is large shopping mall operator, rather than denoting a central location.)
Mar 31, 2013, 3:36 pm
#220
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 800
Do you mean at the airport in Chiang Mai, or somewhere/anywhere in Chiang Mai?
Nano SIMs are a bit more challenging to source, but once you have one it will work with your unlocked iPhone 5. You may have to visit a DTAC shop, or some larger retail phone shops, perhaps in the nearby Central Airport Plaza, or at Central Kad Suan Kaew? (Note that "Central" <say 'Centrahn'> is large shopping mall operator, rather than denoting a central location.)
Nano SIMs are a bit more challenging to source, but once you have one it will work with your unlocked iPhone 5. You may have to visit a DTAC shop, or some larger retail phone shops, perhaps in the nearby Central Airport Plaza, or at Central Kad Suan Kaew? (Note that "Central" <say 'Centrahn'> is large shopping mall operator, rather than denoting a central location.)
Looks like Central Airport Plaza is rather close to CNX, so I guess I can try there on my way from the airport... Any place I may be able to secure one of these in Hong Kong (where I'll be immediately prior)?
Mar 31, 2013, 5:20 pm
#221
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
You may be able to find a SIM at Chiang Mai airport, maybe even a nano SIM, maybe even a nano SIM for DTAC/Happy but it may take you a while as you will have to ask at many conceivable shops. Maybe best to just go to Central. I do not think you could buy a DTAC/Happy nano SIM in Hong Kong, at least it wouldn't be easy.
Apr 2, 2013, 8:37 am
#222
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,303
update on the dtac happy tourist sim. Connectivity for voice seems fine, data is a little spotty for me. Anyway, it's fine for USD $9 (299 Bt) at the airport kiosk, which is the plan that included 7 days of unlimited 3g data.
Confusion reins supreme over the 10-digit dailing plan in place here, at least for me. Yes, I understand the theory, but in practice it doesn't work out that way. The iphone seems to know the 0 is optional by inserting it in parenthesis when you enter it, and if you don't enter it it thinks the country code is +668. For some numbers, the call won't go through with it included, particularly numbers published as 9-digit (land line?) numbers with (0) included in the number. I don't know if it's an issue if you don't include the +country code in every number in your address book, but I always do.
-David
Confusion reins supreme over the 10-digit dailing plan in place here, at least for me. Yes, I understand the theory, but in practice it doesn't work out that way. The iphone seems to know the 0 is optional by inserting it in parenthesis when you enter it, and if you don't enter it it thinks the country code is +668. For some numbers, the call won't go through with it included, particularly numbers published as 9-digit (land line?) numbers with (0) included in the number. I don't know if it's an issue if you don't include the +country code in every number in your address book, but I always do.
-David
Apr 3, 2013, 4:44 am
#223
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
For people who may fly in from Europe, both AF and KL have been giving away free Happy SIM's for a long time now, as you step off the plane. At least they do for business class. I have had no problems using these SIM cards. And they come with both normal size and micro.
Apr 3, 2013, 6:04 am
#224
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,303
Apr 6, 2013, 9:08 pm
#225
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 800
You may be able to find a SIM at Chiang Mai airport, maybe even a nano SIM, maybe even a nano SIM for DTAC/Happy but it may take you a while as you will have to ask at many conceivable shops. Maybe best to just go to Central. I do not think you could buy a DTAC/Happy nano SIM in Hong Kong, at least it wouldn't be easy.
