Which pre-paid SIM card to buy?
Dec 20, 2018, 5:04 pm
#602
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: DEN
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, CX DM, SQ Gold
Posts: 1,607
All three providers have announced and even begun to implement eSIM support.
Getting detailed information has proved challenging to me, but based on a quick scan of Thai social media (where service providers participate) it seems like TrueMove H and DTAC definitely offer eSIM support, at least in Bangkok.
AIS seems to be pushing the eSIM combined with the physical Sim2Fly combination, the SIM2Fly is used for data when roaming outside Thailand.
eSIM SIM2Fly
Whether one needs to be post-paid is unclear. Whether one needs to purchase an Xs or Xr from the provider to enable this feature is also unclear.
My advice: stop by an AIS full-service shop in a large mall, like Siam Paragon, and ask.
Getting detailed information has proved challenging to me, but based on a quick scan of Thai social media (where service providers participate) it seems like TrueMove H and DTAC definitely offer eSIM support, at least in Bangkok.
AIS seems to be pushing the eSIM combined with the physical Sim2Fly combination, the SIM2Fly is used for data when roaming outside Thailand.
eSIM SIM2Fly
Whether one needs to be post-paid is unclear. Whether one needs to purchase an Xs or Xr from the provider to enable this feature is also unclear.
My advice: stop by an AIS full-service shop in a large mall, like Siam Paragon, and ask.
Also their English speaking call center is not 24 hours. English support is n/a after hours.
I still favor AIS over DTAC and DTAC over True. Having said that True did a very aggressive LTE rollout. Objectively True is better than DTAC. AIS is king because great English support 24 x 7. Broad support for wifi calling on many devices, even prepaid, IPv6, solid enough LTE.
Dec 20, 2018, 5:32 pm
#603
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
SIM2FLy is a weird product for an iPhone / Samsung now that all three players have perfectly good Wifi Calling and WiFi texting.
My traditional voice and SMS requirements are relatively minimal when traveling, but I do use DTAC Call. I think their WiFi-calling app is the most open (prepaid and postpaid, any phone make/model), and you can manage up to five different DTAC numbers. A lot of people here can't get traditional mobile service in some locations (like high rise buildings), but if they have WiFi this app is important. And when traveling anywhere in the world, with access to WiFi, you pay your normal domestic rate for calls (in my case, free up to 500 minutes per month).
I usually get a traveling SIM, like Sim2Fly, when traveling from Thailand for mobile data use (including messaging and calling via LINE) as it is easy, inexpensive and there is no requirement to sort out a SIM on arrival.
The ranking by customers base is AIS, TrueMove H and DTAC, with DTAC shedding customers at an increased pace. They have lost some spectrum but have regained some of that recently.
SIM2FLY the best-value roaming SIM for everyone!
SIM GO! Inter
???????????????????? ??????????????????????????? TRAVEL SIM by TrueMove H ?????? ??? | TrueMove H
AIS 4G VoWiFi Voice over WiFi
dtac call: Bundles all numbers in one phone
WiFi Calling App Extends Mobile Signal by TrueMove H TrueMove H ? Mobile Package, Devices, and Deals
My traditional voice and SMS requirements are relatively minimal when traveling, but I do use DTAC Call. I think their WiFi-calling app is the most open (prepaid and postpaid, any phone make/model), and you can manage up to five different DTAC numbers. A lot of people here can't get traditional mobile service in some locations (like high rise buildings), but if they have WiFi this app is important. And when traveling anywhere in the world, with access to WiFi, you pay your normal domestic rate for calls (in my case, free up to 500 minutes per month).
I usually get a traveling SIM, like Sim2Fly, when traveling from Thailand for mobile data use (including messaging and calling via LINE) as it is easy, inexpensive and there is no requirement to sort out a SIM on arrival.
The ranking by customers base is AIS, TrueMove H and DTAC, with DTAC shedding customers at an increased pace. They have lost some spectrum but have regained some of that recently.
SIM2FLY the best-value roaming SIM for everyone!
SIM GO! Inter
???????????????????? ??????????????????????????? TRAVEL SIM by TrueMove H ?????? ??? | TrueMove H
AIS 4G VoWiFi Voice over WiFi
dtac call: Bundles all numbers in one phone
WiFi Calling App Extends Mobile Signal by TrueMove H TrueMove H ? Mobile Package, Devices, and Deals
Dec 26, 2018, 11:10 pm
#604
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,308
I always use True. I go to Thailand twice (maybe 3) times a year.
When you are topping up, you are extending the expiry by 1 month, no matter how much you top up. To extend it out further, I go to a True shop, where they have the top up machines. I put in my number and then top with 10 baht. This extends it one month. I repeat until I hit 12 months. Which is normally about 60THB.
The advantage is that my phone number doesn't expire.
When you are topping up, you are extending the expiry by 1 month, no matter how much you top up. To extend it out further, I go to a True shop, where they have the top up machines. I put in my number and then top with 10 baht. This extends it one month. I repeat until I hit 12 months. Which is normally about 60THB.
The advantage is that my phone number doesn't expire.
Tourist SIMs can only be extended by 90 days.
This only started working fairly recently .. I used to have to ask somebody to go top up for me 10THB 3x every few months with my old tourist SiM .. now I can just do it myself remotely.
-David
Last edited by LIH Prem; Dec 26, 2018 at 11:24 pm
Jan 3, 2019, 3:23 am
#605
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 44
One thing is that they don't always speak great English.
After paying for my sim card, I paid and asked the girl to give my change in smaller bills.
She understood this to mean, I want to top-up with my change. WTH?
No refunds, so I had more minutes/data than I needed.
After paying for my sim card, I paid and asked the girl to give my change in smaller bills.
She understood this to mean, I want to top-up with my change. WTH?
No refunds, so I had more minutes/data than I needed.
Jan 3, 2019, 3:32 am
#606
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
One thing is that they don't always speak great English.
After paying for my sim card, I paid and asked the girl to give my change in smaller bills.
She understood this to mean, I want to top-up with my change. WTH?
No refunds, so I had more minutes/data than I needed.
After paying for my sim card, I paid and asked the girl to give my change in smaller bills.
She understood this to mean, I want to top-up with my change. WTH?
No refunds, so I had more minutes/data than I needed.
But many times there will also be miscommunication because their English varies.
Jan 3, 2019, 3:55 am
#607
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
I always recommend visiting one of the three service provider's (AIS, DTAC and TrueMove H) massive shops in Siam Paragon, obviously where that is feasible. In these shops they have English-language competent staff, just make that choice at the ticket queue machine. Sometimes though the wait-time might be longer as there may only be one desk for ferners.
I assume the staff at the airport locations - and there seem to be more shops now inside the baggage claim area in addition to the large shops outside Customs on level 2 - are competent in English?
Any old shop, and/or the call centers, may not be so proficient.
I assume the staff at the airport locations - and there seem to be more shops now inside the baggage claim area in addition to the large shops outside Customs on level 2 - are competent in English?
Any old shop, and/or the call centers, may not be so proficient.
Jan 3, 2019, 10:06 am
#608
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 484
Jan 4, 2019, 8:38 pm
#609
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Platinum for Life (2MM), BR Gold, AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 978
My wife and I both have DTAC SIMs. Hers is a tourist SIM, mine isn't. Both can be topped up for a full year in advance.
However the DTAC app also allows logging on via Facebook's app platform, and so can be accessed when not in Thailand. The app provides balance check, and top-up via credit card, which in my experience works just fine.
However the DTAC app also allows logging on via Facebook's app platform, and so can be accessed when not in Thailand. The app provides balance check, and top-up via credit card, which in my experience works just fine.
Jan 8, 2019, 9:04 pm
#610
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
SIM card arriving at Phuket?
We're going as a family to Thailand: just over a week in Phuket, and then Bangkok (12 days total). Getting local SIM cards appears to make sense, although roaming charges for Chinese SIMs are pretty reasonable, over that period for the two of us, they will add up. We'll be arriving around 18:00 on a Saturday to HKT. Will we able to get SIM cards at the airport? If so, will the counters be after clearing immigration? If not, what would be our options (we are staying at HI Mai Khao). And what will be approximate costs (basic package/ fairly light use)?
thanks!
tb
thanks!
tb
Jan 8, 2019, 9:14 pm
#611
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
A very quick search seems to indicate all three major providers offer Touristy-SIMs at HKT. ~600 baht.
14/15-day options are available.
https://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/pr...urist-sim.html
scroll down, where to buy, airports, Phuket, see terminal map, expect AIS and TrueMove H are in that same general area?
Yes, a SIM purchased in Phuket will work everywhere in Thailand, including Bangkok.
14/15-day options are available.
https://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/pr...urist-sim.html
scroll down, where to buy, airports, Phuket, see terminal map, expect AIS and TrueMove H are in that same general area?
Yes, a SIM purchased in Phuket will work everywhere in Thailand, including Bangkok.
Jan 12, 2019, 11:40 pm
#613
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: DEN
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, CX DM, SQ Gold
Posts: 1,607
English as a second language is no longer mandatory on Hong Kong English skills are in decline, even among college graduates. The Philippines are a part of Asia and have good coverage.
Jan 13, 2019, 4:35 pm
#614
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,677
With True, if you install the True iservice app and activate it (you might need to do that in Thailand, but once it's done you can use it in the US with your own SIM installed) you can top up remotely within the app using US credit card, etc. Charge is an international charge. The minimum amount appears to be 20THB in the pre-selected amounts.
Tourist SIMs can only be extended by 90 days.
This only started working fairly recently .. I used to have to ask somebody to go top up for me 10THB 3x every few months with my old tourist SiM .. now I can just do it myself remotely.
-David
Tourist SIMs can only be extended by 90 days.
This only started working fairly recently .. I used to have to ask somebody to go top up for me 10THB 3x every few months with my old tourist SiM .. now I can just do it myself remotely.
-David
Apr 7, 2019, 2:12 am
#615
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Paris, France
Programs: IHG, CC, HH, AF, AA, UA
Posts: 830
Tourist card extension
Hello,
How complicated/expensive is it to extend tourist SIM Cards beyond the original period ?
We would like to buy an 8-day card then extend it if necessary.
We'll only be using it for Internet access when no wifi is available.
Thanks in advance.
How complicated/expensive is it to extend tourist SIM Cards beyond the original period ?
We would like to buy an 8-day card then extend it if necessary.
We'll only be using it for Internet access when no wifi is available.
Thanks in advance.