10 tips for lower telephone costs in Thailand
Thanks to smartphones, we are used to having internet access anytime, anywhere. Even if you are on vacation Thailand it is very tempting to check your emails, update your Facebook status or look up reviews of restaurants in Bangkok.
However, what many travelers do not realize is that the standard 06 subscriptions of telephone providers usually do not apply abroad and therefore not in Thailand.
data roaming
When you get your phone used on another network abroad (but still receive the bill from your own provider) this is called 'data roaming'. For the unwary vacationer, the cost of data roaming can lead to exorbitant phone bills.
New EU Legislation
Recent EU legislation limits costs within the Eurozone. Other rules apply outside Europe. Your data traffic is then still paid per megabyte and per 1MB (which is roughly the same as viewing 8 web pages or two photos). Surfing the internet in Thailand can therefore cost you a lot of money.
Read here 10 tips to keep your 'data roaming' costs within limits during your trip in Thailand:
Tip 1 – Download important data before you leave
Research the destinations in Thailand before you travel. Download maps, travel tips and travel guides to your smartphone so you can use them offline when you arrive in Bangkok.
Tip 2 – Check your settings
Some smartphone apps continue to download expensive data whether you are actively using them or not. The best way to avoid this is to turn off data roaming. If you don't know, ask your provider for instructions on how to do this.
Tip 3 – Use WiFi in Thailand
Accessing the internet abroad via 3G on your phone costs money. In fact, using a local WiFi hotspot in Thailand costs nothing. See how to turn off your 3G and turn on Wfi before you leave.
Tip 4 – Choose a bundle if necessary
Think about how much data you will need when you travel, as all mobile phone providers offer bundles at fixed rates that you purchase in advance.
Tip 5 – Change SIM in Thailand
You can buy prepaid SIM cards almost anywhere in Thailand that offer internet access at favorable rates. You just have to set your phone to 'unlocked' before you use another SIM card.
Tip 6 – Use websites suitable for mobile
Many popular websites (including Thailandblog.nl) have made mobile versions for smartphones that use much less data than the regular web version. If your favorite websites have mobile sites, use this one.
Tip 7 – Do not open attachments
Downloading attachments to e-mails can increase your data usage enormously. Wait until you get home unless it's very important.
Tip 8 - Watch your children
If your kids are fans of online gaming or social media, don't be tempted to keep them quiet by handing them your phone. It can cost you a fortune!
Tip 9 – Keep your phone and reputation safe
Loss or theft of your smartphone abroad can cause others to charge you huge data roaming bills. Even worse, it can seriously damage your reputation if all your email and social media account passwords are stored on your phone. Therefore, do not store any important data on your smartphone or protect it with a password. Protect your online identity at all times.
Tip 10 – Leave your phone at home
If you don't travel for work, maybe you can say goodbye to your online life for a week or two. Is that a possibility?
Avoid being confronted with a bill of hundreds of euros when you return home, otherwise your undoubtedly pleasant stay in Thailand will have a very bitter aftertaste.
Happy Holidays!
At TrueMove you can buy a 30 day wifi card in Thailand, and I thought for 300 baht. You can then make unlimited use of WiFi for 1 month. However, there is a small, but surmountable problem... 🙂 With every new wifi point you have to log in again. Somehow the phone doesn't remember the password. Nevertheless, recommended. Available at, among others, the well-known True coffee restaurants. For those who have a good command of the Thai language… http://www.truewifi.net
I have an AIS (read 12 call) dongle (7.2 Mbps). Costs 50 hours of internet for 250,- bath. Can be used anywhere in Thailand. Of course I use WiFi in my apartment.
Not really suitable for Skype, but that can be done around the corner at the internet cafe for a few baths.
Frank F
Moderator: Your comment is not appropriate for this topic.
Bought a SIM card from True at the airport, 10 hours of WiFi, 1GB of data traffic and 250 baht phone/SMS for I believe 600 baht. Can you do that for a month.
My Samsung phone then just keeps track of your accounts on your Dutch number such as whatsapp etc. So you then have internet and only use your Thai number to call.
For the last two years I leave my smartphones at home when I go to Thailand. In Bangkok I then buy a cheap, simple device for a bargain price and a local SIM card that I can simply top up at the 7/11. Only to make and receive calls. I do use the internet in a local internet shop.
Three years ago I also had my roaming on on my Dutch phone. I thought: nice and easy, I can just use the internet here. Upon returning home after three months of vacation, 2 bills totaling 3600 euros. So never again.
Quote “Even when you are on holiday in Thailand, it is very tempting to check your emails, update your Facebook status or look up restaurant reviews in Bangkok”
I don't understand those temptations, how did we do it again, say, 15 years ago in Thailand, write an overview and occasionally call home via a landline, how everything was.
I find it so strange that, in about 15 years people have become so dependent on electronic gadgets that they are completely deprived when those things don't work or are gone, I have seen people completely freaked out on Ko lanta , during a power outage, like half zombies they walked around with their devices that didn't work, desperate for wifi, I found it both laughable and pathetic.
Regards,
Lex K.
I buy a SIM card from DTAC and take 70 hours of internet per month for 199 bath
simple, and cheap
Can you tell me where you can buy such a DTAC SIM card?
Until now, I always took an old phone with me in which I put my Dutch SIM card in case there was something urgent. It was always in the safe of my hotel room, which I looked at every now and then. And in my smartphone I put a SIM card from 12Call that I bought at 7eleven.
You can buy it at the DTac store at the airport and at any seven-11
hello, can someone explain to me how to set a phone to unlocked, this would be very useful, for example, thanks
You can't put your phone on unlocked.
So you have to have it unlocked in the Netherlands if it is not.
With a new phone you lose your warranty when unlocking.
Prepaid phones are SIM locked, many others are not. Check this if necessary. by inserting another SIM card.
Thai phones are usually unlocked.
Pay attention here whether they are 2g or 3g suitable.
You cannot use 2gewoon afterwards in the Netherlands
The convenience of using a smartphone in Thailand can come at a relatively low cost.
For an average of 10 euros you have 1 GB of data traffic with the well-known telecom providers such as DTAC, True Move and AIS.
TOT/Imobile is even cheaper but only has coverage in Bangkok and small surroundings.
For example, for using various apps such as travel guides, you no longer have to carry the dill lonely planet, etc.
You download the information.
Tripwolf is also an app that contains all travel guides. Both free version and paid.
So you don't have to trudge from hot to her to find an internet cafe.
Many hotels have a poor WiFi range.
If you use a Thai SIM card, you can also call your own damilie and friends within Thailand.
This is very cheap.
If you do this with a Dutch SIM card, you will no longer be able to oversee the bill.
You call your friend in Thailand via the Netherlands, so 2 X the costs. This increases to 6.75 euros per minute.
Calling with a Thai SIM card to the Netherlands is also very cheap.
With provider prefixes an average of 5 baht to fixed and 10 baht to mobile.
If you use data traffic, it is easier to buy MBs than hours. If you forget to turn off the connection, you will soon run out of hours.
Price doesn't matter much.
Convenience of the smartphone?
Download the apps like learn thai, BTS and so on and you just have your information with you.
The evernote app can also bring convenience.
In this app you can make note books and you can put all your flight details, tickets and hotel bookings in it.
You can also quickly take a snapshot of where you are. This will then be uploaded to evernote and if you get lost, you will have found it again by showing it to someone, for example.
You can also put a copy of passport etc in it.
It is password protected.
You can also send all emails to it.
Logging into the computer anywhere is also possible.
For this app you need to be connected to the internet.
The 10 euros per month does indeed yield something.
Also take a look in the app store both android and apple and now also windows for nice apps. There are many Thai apps to be found, every respectable place has an app.
The map of bangkok is also included.
For hotel bookings from the train, bus, etc. Booking.com and agoda are included, so convenience serves man.
Those who stay longer in Thailand know all this.
For those who use, for example, the Kasikorn app and bank on the go, they must use the internet connection. This app does not work with wifi for security.
Using a smartphone and not just for mail and Facebook is no longer an unnecessary luxury. Convenience serves people
Beats. Most phones, at least my Samsung, nowadays also have a function that makes your own portable WiFi hotspot, or you can easily surf the internet via your laptop with the USB cable from your phone to your laptop. That is sometimes very useful if the WiFi of your apartment or hotel does not work or hardly works. Last time used 2 times for a business video call and although the quality is low, it can be done that way. With True I had HSPDA + coverage almost everywhere with a download of 200 kb / s, which is fine in itself.
About hours and MBs. If you only use some email, facebook, apps and things like that, it is indeed the most convenient thing to buy MBs. If you use a lot of large files etc, it is better to buy hours. Both True and AIS (I'm sure others do too…) have volume based and time based packages.
Chat programs such as Line and Whatsapp are also very popular with many Thai people. For example, my girlfriend uses that instead of SMS. Plus calling via Skype or MobileVOIP to the Netherlands also works very well with a smartphone plus internet connection.
You can buy Dtac in the dtacstore, in the shopping malls or at 7/11 and at almost all telephone shops.
Top-up cards/vouchers also at the 7/11.
The SIM card is also available at the airports.
Unbelievable! That people can no longer do without such a device. There are even those who go to sleep with that thing in their hand. I can still remember that to call NL, to Pattaya Tai I had to go to the CAT telephone center and there appointment had to order for a telephone cell to call. After some waiting time you were called and a cell was designated. I myself only use such a thing to call, nothing else. Is a 15 (fifteen) year old Nokia , works like a dream. Only had to shove a piece of toilet paper in to keep the battery in place. Agree those things are easy to keep in touch with someone.
Hello…
Can I ask the reverse question here?
I'll be back in Belgium for 2 months, but although I regularly see my girlfriend in Pattaya on Facebook, I also want to call her to arrange things for her, since she always has to go to an internet shop.
Despite the discount I received on my GSM subscription, I still pay 1.36 euros per minute, which is very expensive if you call for XNUMX minutes every day.
Does anyone have a cheaper solution?
Thank you in advance.
Best regards.
Rudy.
Buy her a smartphone, provide a SIM card with WiFi access and use Skype, Line or Viber and you can call for free as long as you want. You can also see each other if you do a video call. Has been discussed many times here on TB.
Give her a small tablet and go Skype it will cost you nothing. There are plenty of WiFi spots. Personally, I think it's a pity that large hotels charge money for it, it wasn't cheap. There was a cozy terrace on the corner and free Wi-Fi in the hotel Montien Bangkok 500 baht per day.
Take the LINE app on your smartphone and on that of your girlfriend, you can also call for FREE via your smartphone
good luck
computing
See:
http://www.voipdiscount.com
have dial-up points in europe here you go on the internet.
after that calling with Thailand mobile is free.. ;-0
Mvg Peter
A cheaper solution than buying a smartphone for her is this: call 0900-0812 and you call Thailand for 2 cents per minute or you install Voipdiscount on your PC, buy 10 euros of call credit and you call and send your text messages to Thailand for free .
Hello…
@Freddy…
Do you mean 0900 0812, and then the full Thai number, including the country code, and with or without the zeros?
Thanks to all the others for the good advice, but here in Belgium there is no Seven Eleven or Family Mart…
Best regards…
Rudy
Hello Rudy,
you call 0900-0812, then you are asked to enter the number. so including country code and ending with a #
@ freddy…
The number is rejected, I keep getting the answer that this number is not available… I can call my girlfriend on the regular line, but it will cost me a fortune
Kind regards… Rudy…
If the moderator allows it, my number is 0477 538 521 Belgium, or the moderator can forward it personally, it's really urgent, and I'm not a PC specialist...
Best regards…
Rudy
Have a look at belkraker.com or be. My wife has been using this for years. it used to be 1 cent per minute, now perhaps a bit more expensive. With us a little bit out of use due to the smartphones and states. But my wife still uses call cracker to reach her mother in isaan who only owns a normal (old) mobile phone. Those prices are OK. no strings attached and a very good connection. I think there are already cheaper alternatives, but we have been using call cracker for seven years and continue to use it for normal telephone connection.
rudy,
http://www.voipdiscount.com
Also has a dial-up point in Belgium.
From there, calls to Thailand cost €0,0
Have been using this provider for years.
Now a lot for calls to Vietnam.
Also do all my SMS traffic through them.
mvg Peter
Install voip discount on your PC and you can call as much as you want to fixed and mobile phones for 12.5 euros for 3 months via your PC. After three months your credit will start to decrease.
If you pay back afterwards, you can continue for free for three months.
info ...
Call (free) to Thailand via;
http://www.voipdiscount.com
Call in to a dial-up point and then forward to destination.
You can register your tfn so you do not have to enter your pin code every time.
You can put everything in memory, with one press you call the final destination.
You can program PPP (pause) for calling through.
Have a 300 min bundle for calling a dial-up point, which is not going to work anyway.
Also have cheap SMS.
kind regards, pieter
Already mentioned a few times above. Buy a SIM card and/or reload card at 7-eleven.
In places where there is no Wi-Fi, your smartphone can still read and write emails.
With most smartphones nowadays you can do tethering; your smartphone then becomes a wi-fi hotspot for your note/netbook or tablet.
I always turn off roaming, but sometimes I think about buying a Thai SIM card. But then you have the problem that your contacts / friends do not know the number and you have that again. is there a solution for this? keep number type? I don't want to send all my contacts an SMS that changes my number for 1 month. Frank
Dear Frank,
Very simple, copy your contacts from your Dutch (Belgian) sim card to your phone, then all your contacts are there too, then you put in the Thai sim card and it can simply read the numbers in your phone, then send a group message to your contacts via your Thai number and voilà, everyone has your Thai number, it couldn't be simpler.
Sincerely,
Lex K.
Sorry, one more solution; forward your Dutch/Belgian number to your Thai number, they will call the Ned. or call. number they will be forwarded to your Thai number, but I do not recommend this because that is a fairly expensive solution, you will incur calling costs from your Ned. number to your Thai number.
Lex K.
rudy,
http://www.voipdiscount.com
Also has a dial-up point in Belgium.
From there, calls to Thailand cost €0,0
Have been using this provider for years.
Now a lot for calls to Vietnam.
Also do all my SMS traffic through them.
mvg Peter
buy a smartphone with dual sim
– You remain reachable for the home front in case of emergency on your fixed number
– use a thai sim with data for thailand
advantage you don't have to carry around with 2 phones
in thailand, the vast majority of smartphones are equipped with dual sim
Hay Rudy I call my wife in Thailand every day when I'm in Belgium. You can say, about 30 minutes every day. Can you say a lot already? Just enter a night shop and buy a 5 euro ticket. I usually take the card with the name " COBRA " with 500 calling minutes. Dial in no in Belgium, then you will be asked to enter the code and then the number of the recipient. Everything is via satellite. I already do. I am currently in Thailand, in the south of the country. With my laptop no problem for internet. Just also have an AIS dongle 7.2Mbps 3G. VAT included for 650 baths, 1 month (30 days from activation) unlimited. Buy the dongle separately first. price; think something like 1700 baths. I've been doing that for years too. I also use Skype to call, with cam, to the home front. Simple right.
If the moderator allows, here's my e-mail address, I would like to make contact with Belgians who also live in the south of Thailand.
Regards, Dre [email protected]
Thanks in advance mod if you let this through