rsn

...from the U.S.  The phone is for my mother-in-law to use on her upcoming journey to the U.S.  It will be helpful in case she finds herself in a bind (or lost) and needs help from us since she doesn't speak and English whatsoever.  The phone is a tri-band w/ 3G/UMTS model from 2007 and was purchased for about $55.  The SIM card is, well, a "world" SIM card.  

So, how can I ship this to Thailand and still track it (in case it is "lost") without being subjected to taxes/fees by Thai customs?  What are my best options?

Does anyone have anything to say, based on personal experience, about onesimcard, telestial, or any other international//world roaming sim cards?

We already plan on sending her flash cards, letting the airline know that she does not speak English, and perhaps calling CBP as well.  It seems like a longshot, but I figured I would check and see if anyone who speaks both Thai and English plans on flying into Chicago from BKK in October of this year.  Let me know.  Thanks!

Has anyone applied very recently or is in the process of applying now?  There don't appear to be any free times on the embassy's schedule for new appointments, ever!