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[mike111]

I expect to visit Thailand in a couple of months for a about two weeks, and would appreciate advice on which sim cards/plans to use so I would have an internet connection on my smartphone.

I am mainly interested in checking emails, and do not want to rely on a spotty hotel wifi connection.

TIA,
Mike

[thaicbr]

where in Thailand are you visiting?  the coverage is patchy so it would help to know

[lomatopo]

What is the make/model of your smartphone? We need this information in order to recommend the best 3G provider. I assume it is unlocked and can accept a SIM?

There is almost universal coverage for 2G (GSM data: GPRS/EDGE), and some providers have great coverage for 3G: TrueMove H, AIS/One-2-Call and lastly, DTAC/Happy.

Provided your phone supports 850 Mhz 3G I might recommend DTAC/Happy, they have a 1 GB data plan which is unlimited, drops to 384 Kbps over 1 GB, for 399 baht/30 days. You can get a 49 baht SIM card, and pay 1 baht per min, or per SMS.

http://www.happy.co....emid=37&lang=en

http://www.happy.co....mid=368&lang=en

[thaicbr]

Dtac is ok in Bkk. but it pains me to say True 3h is better outside Bkk . but hopefully Dtac will catch up.

[lomatopo]

thaicbr, on 2012-01-31 14:47:59, said:

Dtac is ok in Bkk. but it pains me to say True 3h is better outside Bkk . but hopefully Dtac will catch up.

Well I did rank them third out of three, which I believe is fair and accurate with regards to 3G anyway? I mainly highlighted DTAC owing to their unlimited plan, which makes it easy, and their strong 2G national coverage, seamless roaming and their customer interfaces. The OP didn't seem to have a huge data requirement.

DTACs 3G coverage has greatly expanded over the last 8 weeks, FWIW.

[mike111]

Thanks for the replies.

My mobile is a sony ericsson x10 mini pro:
2G Network     GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network     HSDPA 900 / 2100
                      HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
http://www.gsmarena....ni_pro-3147.php

I'm not planning on a massive data usage. mainly email checking and light surfing.
I expect to be in BKK and Pattaya.

[lomatopo]

It looks like there are two different and distinct versions of that phone.

One version supports 900/2100, while the other supports 850/1900/2100. We need to try and figure out which version you have.

Can you share any details re: where you bought this, or where you use it? Can you perhaps look at the box, or under the battery to get a part or model number? This is important.

If the 900 Mhz version then AIS/One-2-Call would be the best solution.

If the 850 Mhz version then TrueMove H or DTAC/Happy might be the best solution.

Edited by lomatopo, 2012-01-31 20:33:45.

[thaicbr]

mike111, on 2012-01-31 18:45:14, said:

Thanks for the replies.

My mobile is a sony ericsson x10 mini pro:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 900 / 2100
  HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
http://www.gsmarena....ni_pro-3147.php

I'm not planning on a massive data usage. mainly email checking and light surfing.
I expect to be in BKK and Pattaya.

As far as i'm aware sony ericsson have 2 versions of this phone  
HSDPA 900 / 2100 which is X10 mini pro which is i think stk17i
(not sure OF THE EXACT NUMBER but if it says (i) then its 900-2100)
if it says stk17a its 850-2100

[JBL]

Just tacking on to the same topic question
- iPhone, I won't make many calls but emails & other www social media
- more than 30days
- mainly away from major cities


JBL

[lomatopo]

JBL, on 2012-02-01 00:01:22, said:

Just tacking on to the same topic question
- iPhone, I won't make many calls but emails & other www social media
- more than 30days
- mainly away from major cities


JBL

iPhone model? 3/3GS/4/4S; unlocked and able to accept a SIM (microSIM or regular SIM)?

[JBL]

iPhone 4, unlocked, micro sim
Have tested with alternative carriers micro sim

Cheers


JBL

[lomatopo]

JBL, on 2012-02-01 06:53:13, said:

iPhone 4, unlocked, micro sim
Have tested with alternative carriers micro sim

Cheers


JBL

TrueMove H or AIS/One-2-Call may be your best options.


http://www.truemove-...sim-iphone.aspx

http://www.truemove-...ay-topping.aspx



http://www.ais.co.th...rnet-package/#2

[mike111]

The phone's package reads:
U20i
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS/HSPA bands 1/8

I expect to be visiting for up to two weeks. is there a package which is cheaper than 400THB one (which is for full a month)?.

Thanks.

[lomatopo]

mike111, on 2012-02-01 07:47:29, said:

The phone's package reads:
U20i
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS/HSPA bands 1/8

I expect to be visiting for up to two weeks. is there a package which is cheaper than 400THB one (which is for full a month)?.

Thanks.

It looks like that model supports 3G on 900 and 2100 Mhz, so you'll need to use TOT or one of their resellers, or AIS/One-2-Call, if you require 3G.

AIS/One-2-Call may be the easiest, best option? But not sure if they have 3G coverage in Pattaya?

http://www.ais.co.th...n/sim-card.html

http://www.ais.co.th...rnet-package/#2


http://www.tot3g.net/GUI/Home.aspx

http://www.i-bkk.com/ilocation/viewer/


Some service providers offer daily packages but the break-even is ~ 7 days; DTAC/Happy has a weekly package but fro 2 weeks it is equivalent to a monthly package.

How much data do you think you will require?  Any voice or text requirements?

[mike111]

My expected usage is some voice and text (SMS) usage, plus internet for checking emails & some surfing.

I can't really say how much I'll use voice, but I don't think it'll be a massive usage.

Is there a specific sim card I need to get, or any 1-2-call sim sold at the convenience stores will do?

[lomatopo]

mike111, on 2012-02-01 08:17:18, said:

My expected usage is some voice and text (SMS) usage, plus internet for checking emails & some surfing.

I can't really say how much I'll use voice, but I don't think it'll be a massive usage.

Is there a specific sim card I need to get, or any 1-2-call sim sold at the convenience stores will do?

Any SIM will do, activate it, add value (scratch card from 7-11), then subscribe to a data package (see codes in link).

[mike111]

Thanks.

The AIS time-based packages list a "30 day package" and a "monthly package". what's the difference?
also, when it reads, say 5 hours, does this mean 5 hour of 3G connection per month?.

[lomatopo]

mike111, on 2012-02-01 08:56:54, said:

Thanks.

The AIS time-based packages list a "30 day package" and a "monthly package". what's the difference?
also, when it reads, say 5 hours, does this mean 5 hour of 3G connection per month?.

I would consider 30 day and monthly to be interchangeable and mean the same thing, perhaps as result of translation?

You should opt for a "volume-based" plan; unless you are diligent about turning data on/off you will quickly burn through your time allotment. But yes, with a time-based plan you get that number of hours for data connectivity over the plan period, be it 1 day or 1 month.

Maybe the 1 GB/350 baht plan might suit?

[Sydneycraig]

350b per month for 1 gig sounds good and enough fir most people if not watching vids or music.... Is tethering allowed/possible so I can share this 1 gig if I plug my iPhone to laptop?! Not 100% on how that works...

[lomatopo]

Sydneycraig, on 2012-02-01 09:42:48, said:

350b per month for 1 gig sounds good and enough fir most people if not watching vids or music.... Is tethering allowed/possible so I can share this 1 gig if I plug my iPhone to laptop?! Not 100% on how that works...

There are no restrictions on tethering here in Thailand, as there are say in the U.S. with AT&T, yet.

Yes, you can tether your iPhone to your laptop use the 3G connection; I'm not familiar with iPhones but with Android you can also create a Mobile AP (WiFi) to share the 3G connection with up to 5 other WiFi-connected devices.

Depending on your iPhone model, and location, there may be other, more suitable providers/plans.

DTAC/Happy has the most aggressive unlimited pricing/packaging, but also has the least national coverage.

[JBL]

lomatopo, on 2012-02-01 07:20:32, said:

JBL, on 2012-02-01 06:53:13, said:

iPhone 4, unlocked, micro sim
Have tested with alternative carriers micro sim

Cheers


JBL

TrueMove H or AIS/One-2-Call may be your best options.


http://www.truemove-...sim-iphone.aspx

http://www.truemove-...ay-topping.aspx



http://www.ais.co.th...rnet-package/#2

Many thanx


JBL

[mike111]

after purchasing the 1-2-call sim card, are there any settings to configure on the mobile to enable the internet connection?.

[lomatopo]

http://www.ais.co.th...et_setting.html

[mike111]

Thanks.

[4evermaat]

Sydneycraig, on 2012-02-01 09:42:48, said:

350b per month for 1 gig sounds good and enough fir most people if not watching vids or music.... Is tethering allowed/possible so I can share this 1 gig if I plug my iPhone to laptop?! Not 100% on how that works...

With android 2.2 and newer you can setup mobile wifi hotspot w. Password from wireless setting.

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