I have heard a lot of horror stories about people using their cell phones overseas. Coming home and getting their bill and WOW! Lets see what we can do so this doesn’t happen to you.
There are some options for cell phones in Thailand. You can use your own, use a Thai sim card, or buy a phone in Thailand. But these all depend on your individual needs and circumstances.
First things first. What are you going to do with your phone in Thailand?
On my first trip to Thailand, I didn’t think to much about my cell phone. I new I would obviously take pictures. Maybe text a few times. But that was about all I thought about.
I was only going to be gone for three weeks and I was going to be with someone the whole time (now that someone is my wife). She is from Thailand and had a Thai cell phone. I figured I didn’t know anyone in Thailand to call anyway. If I needed to call Home I could handle the few dollars it would cost me.
Your needs could be different. You might need to call home often. Therefor, you would need a means to do that on the cheap. My point is, first figure out what you really need to do with your phone while you are in Thailand. Here are some options.
Should you use your providers international plan?
This was my first step and it worked great for me. I called my provider and asked them what I could do about my cell phone service in Thailand. They told me about their international plan, what it provided and how to set up my phone when I boarded the plane.
My plan was free for unlimited text and unlimited 2G data with .20 cents a minute for calls. This gave me access to email, websites and google maps so I could get around in Thailand. That was actually more than I expected for free, so I was quite happy.
If you use one of the four largest cell phone providers in the US, they all have international plans. If you choose that route, here is what I found.
- Sprint: Free for unlimited text and unlimited 2G data with .20 cents a minute for calls. If you make lots of calls and want faster 4G data, you can upgrade for $5 a day.
- Verizon: $5 a day. Uses your existing plan abroad with unlimited texting, calling and 4G data. You are only charged for the days you use calls, send texts or use data. They also have monthly bundle plans at $70 and $130.
- AT&T: $10 a day. Uses your existing plan abroad with unlimited texting, calling and your data in your plan. You are only charged if you use calls, send texts or use data. They also have a one-time or monthly plan with unlimited everything at 1GB for $60 a month.
- T Mobile: Free for unlimited text and unlimited 2G data with .25 cents a minute for calls.
If you have an app open, even in the background, it will charge you for that day because it is using data.
These plans can change at any time and may require certain cell phone plans to qualify. Check with your provider for all the details.
Can you use a Thai SIM card with your phone in Thailand?
I don’t like this route if you have a locked phone. Most US cell companies lock your cell phone so it can’t be used with other providers. There are also ways to get your phone unlocked. Beware of this as it will void any coverage your phone has unless your provider does the unlocking.
More likely than not your provider will not unlock your phone if you are still under certain terms. But, it can’t hurt to call them and ask. You could also get your phone unlocked at a cell phone shop in Thailand. Just keep in mind what I wrote before. Beware! Smartphones are getting more and more expensive. The last thing you want is to have to replace your $900 phone because you voided your insurance.
Now, if you purchased your phone from somewhere other than your provider, (like amazon) then it is more than likely an unlocked phone. If you have an unlocked phone, you will have to make sure your phone is compatible with a Thai SIM card. Check with the cell phone manufacturer of your make and model. It will need to be a quad band phone.
If your phone is compatible, and you choose this route, the best way to get a Thai SIM card is at the airport. As you come out from customs at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, there are several cell phone kiosks right in front of you (after you pass the baggage conveyor belts).
Cell Phone SIM Card Providers.
Thailand has three mobile service providers (AIS, Truemove and DTAC) where you can buy a prepaid SIM card. All three carriers will help you set up your phone. Two reasons I think you should do this at the airports.
#1 Convenience. You won’t have to look for a mobile phone store in town.
#2 Some laws have changed in Thailand regarding SIM cards. You are now required to show your passport to buy a Thai SIM card and many convenience stores may turn you down anyway.
For me, getting as much done at the airport just makes sense. Consider the airport your hub for getting things done. When I leave the airport I am officially on vacation. I shouldn’t have to run errands during my stay.
Recharging your SIM card is easy. You can buy topup cards in pretty much all Family Mart’s, 7-11’s or cell phone shops all over Thailand.
To add the credit to your SIM, Scratch off the password and ID on the back of the card, call the number on the card and follow any instructions. When your phone is low on credit, you will get a message that you are at less than 25 baht credit. Don’t let it go empty or it will stop working. Purchase another card and top it off.
Keeping your Thai number.
If you plan on returning to Thailand regularly, say once a year and you want to keep the same Thai mobile number, you will need to refresh your SIM card. SIM cards need to have a balance and validity to keep working.
Every time you topup the SIM card it will validate up to 90 days. But this is not enough if you are going to Thailand a year or so down the line. You can buy more validity online to extend your prepaid Thai SIM card. The service will ask for your Thai phone number and they will send topups with the amount of days you request.
You can request 90 days, 180 days and 360 days. More than likely you will want 360 days. The cost is only around $6.00. You can only validate for a maximum of one year, so check your current expiry date.
Make sure you check with your SIM provider as these things could change.
Should you buy a phone in Thailand.
If you decide to buy a cell phone in Thailand and want it to work at home in the USA, make sure it is a quad band phone. In America, we use bands 850 and 1900. However, most of the rest of the world uses 900 and 1800 bands. Buying a quad band phone will operate with all four bands. Ask the salesperson which ones are quad band and they will show you.
Buy your cell phone at a reputable market. If you buy at a mobile phone network or a department store, the price will be around 20% higher than at a market. There are markets to choose from in all the big cities in Thailand.
- MBK Mall in Bangkok has an entire floor dedicated to electronics and cell phone stalls. Located near National Stadium Skytrain Station.
- Fortune Town Mall in Bangkok is similar to MBK with plenty of cell phone stalls to choose from. Located next to Phra Ram 9 underground train station.
- Tukcom IT Center Pattaya in Pattaya. The entire second floor is dedicated to Mobile Phones and it has a DTAC shop if you want a Thai SIM card. Located on Pattaya Tai (South Pattaya Road) and Soi Buakhao.
- Pantip Plaza in Chiang Mai near the Night Bazaar.
- For Phuket it seems to be the cheapest places to buy cell phones are at Tesco Lotus and Big C. They do have a big mall called Jungceylon with an entire floor dedicated to IT.
New Cell Phone.
Make sure you buy a new cell phone. It doesn’t make any sense to buy used. The battery is probably worn out and who knows what else. Watch the clerk and make sure he opens the package in front of you. If it is not shrink wrapped don’t buy it.
If it is shrink wrapped, make sure all the warranty cards and other paperwork related to that particular phone are in the box. Let the clerk test the phone and they should let you test it also. The clerk will have a SIM card used directly for this purpose. Make sure it sounds normal on a call (no static, buzzing, etc..).
After you test the phone, ask the clerk to do a factory set up and set the language to English ( or what language you prefer ).
If the phone needs to be charged you can ask the clerk to charge it. Therefore, you can just leave it with them for awhile and when you come back it should have enough charge to get you to your room to charge it fully.
At this point go ahead and buy a SIM card and set that up also. Your new Thai cell phone should be ready to go.
You now have a Thai cell phone number. If you want to call someone in the US and let them know your new Thai number, ( I know you do ). Just dial 001 then 1 and the number. 001-1-XXX-XXX-XXXX.
My conclusions.
Another thing to consider is, how often do people call anymore? Most people text now. And what about Facebook Messenger? You can chat or even video call.
Me and my wife used an app called Line to text and video chat when I was in the US and she was in Thailand. ( “Line” is very popular in Asia ). If you use free WiFi from your hotel or from the local coffee joint, you can stay in contact for free, with these apps, from your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
In my case, my provider in the US has free unlimited data and texts. So I don’t need free WiFi. But I did use it for a better connection where ever I was staying. On that note, evaluate what ways you need your phone to operate and go from there.
Happy Thailand Travels!