Newbie Cell Phone Help

[Kramden]

Hi Mates,

 

This question has probably been posed and answered before, but I need to ask it again... Can I use my cell phone (purchased in the U.S.) to make calls from LOS back to the USA? It is a relatively new phone. I am technologically challenged, so I am clueless in this regard.

 

Can I just get a SIM card once I get to LOS and use my current phone, or do I need to purchase another phone upon arrival in LOS?

 

Thanks

[Panudate]

Hi Mates,

 

This question has probably been posed and answered before, but I need to ask it again... Can I use my cell phone (purchased in the U.S.) to make calls from LOS back to the USA? It is a relatively new phone. I am technologically challenged, so I am clueless in this regard.

 

Can I just get a SIM card once I get to LOS and use my current phone, or do I need to purchase another phone upon arrival in LOS?

 

Thanks

 

If you phone is open to various network providers you should be able to use it in LOS.

 

Don't call home from LOS unless you want a huge phone bill, get a Thai SIM card for 100 baht and get 500 baht of credit, that normally does most people for a 2 week holiday.

[rockhard]

Yeah you might need to get the phone unlocked too. Very easy to do.

[jimmyyy]

Make sure your phone is GSM capable, companies like sprint don't work off of sim cards, then if its locked (99% chance it is) then just get someone a 2Com to unlock it for you when you get here, its cheap enough, you can even do it on line for most phones, for 20.00 bucks or so. Then go to a 7/11 and get a 1 2 call sim card kit, just remember the sim card does not have minutes on it, you need to purchase a top up card 100 or 300 baht to get started. Easily done mate.... enjoy your trip sir......

[Slacker]

...Then go to a 7/11 and get a 1 2 call sim card kit...

 

If you are planning to make International calls or text back home, I would suggest going to Big C or Tukcom for your SIM as the ones sold in 7-11 stores are generally for use on internal calls. I've made this mistake and couldn't figure out what was going wrong...friends back in the UK kept getting texts bounced and calls to the number failed.

[JJs]

If you are planning to make International calls or text back home, I would suggest going to Big C or Tukcom for your SIM as the ones sold in 7-11 stores are generally for use on internal calls. I've made this mistake and couldn't figure out what was going wrong...friends back in the UK kept getting texts bounced and calls to the number failed.

 

That's not the case at all. You were probably just using the wrong prefixes.

 

 

If you want to save money, buy from the 7/11. The HAPPY Simple SIM is only 49 baht. Dial *1000 to change the default language to English.

 

Use the prefix 009 for your International calls. eg. 00944 for the UK or 0091 for the USA. For SMS, you have to use the + prefix, otherwise it won't work. eg +44 or +1.

5 baht per message on HAPPY. 9 baht on One2Call & TRUE MOVE.

[texboy]

Where can I buy the cheapest (no frills needed ... just calls and basic sms capability) cell phone in pattaya ... any pawn shops around there?

[deadman]

Where can I buy the cheapest (no frills needed ... just calls and basic sms capability) cell phone in pattaya ... any pawn shops around there?

best bet is tukcom on south pattaya rd! phones galore

[sfgrunt]

okay, let's say i've arrived in pattaya, purchased a sim card, phone credit, installed, and called home. they're going to ask "how do we get a hold of you?"

 

how does someone from the US call my thai phone number?

 

i'll bet dollars to donuts that someone has answered this question but i've been unable to find it.

 

thanks for any help

[s77656769]

googling "thailand cell phone number" gives the below as one link:

 

http://reviews.ebay.com/Thailand-Cell-Phon...000000004077590

 

and it says:

 

The International country code for Thailand is 66, so anyone calling you from outside of Thailand need to add 66 before your number. Very important, if your phone is being called from outside of Thailand the caller must drop the 0 at the start of your number. So a US / Canada caller would dial 011 (International Access) plus 668x-xxx-xxxx.

 

If you want to call the US or Canada from your cell phone here in Thailand, you need to dial a international access code; 001 or 008 or 009 and then 1 (area code) (number). So for example to call a phone in Boston, Ma. You would dial 001-1-617-xxx-xxxx. The cost of placing calls is different for each access code; 001, is the best working and works with all numbers but cost the most per minute, 008 is the least costly per minute but does not always work, 009 cost a little more than 008 but not all numbers work. I would start with 008, then 009, and use 001 last.

[SuperTireGuy]

Brand new SIM cards detach from a larger credit card sized piece of plastic. That piece of plastic should have some serial numbers/codes and your Thai (+66) phone number. Callers from outside Thailand will have to prefix the calls to your number with the Thai country code. +66-yournumber or 011-66-yournumber

 

Anyone know anything about GPRS/EDGE data coverage in LOS for smart phones? If GPRS data service is provided it's possible to use apps like Skype, Yahoo Messenger, web, etc. It would be nice to maybe leave the laptop at home.

 

Can you buy/pay for the extra/optional data service when you buy pre-paid SIM cards? Something you just buy at the 7-11?

 

Thanks

Edited April 27, 2008 by SuperTireGuy

[Pheromone]

I have two questions..

 

Can I get these sim cards at 7-11's in Bangkok, as I am landing there first and will be there for two days before I arrive in Pattaya.

 

I plan on getting the new 3G iPhone right before I leave the US for Thailand.... is it going to work? Will I need to get it unlocked? Can u even unlock that phone, lol....

[Shuggy]

After your clear Customs at Bangkok airport and get out into the meet and greet area there is a shop there that sells simcards for the various networks. You can have your simcard up and running before you even get in the taxi.

[chuckrivera]

I plan on getting the new 3G iPhone right before I leave the US for Thailand.... is it going to work? Will I need to get it unlocked? Can u even unlock that phone, lol....

 

 

I have a friend that works for ATT wireless. He told me that the iPhone can be unlocked for use on other networks, but if unlocked, all the features (push email, wifi, etc) may not work when you get back on the ATT network. Supposedly done to keep people loyal to ATT. He also told me he dosen't know of anyone that has actually tried this yet...all this info is the company line. It may not be worth the risk, but it is up to you.

 

I will say that that is an expensive phone to take on vacation with you. I bring my US phone with me but leave it in the safe. I have a less expensive unlocked phone I use when overseas. If I lose it or it gets stolen no big deal. Last month, I left it in two different restaurants in Pattaya. You wouldn't believe it, but both times an employee had kept it waiting for me to come back to get it.

[Pheromone]

After your clear Customs at Bangkok airport and get out into the meet and greet area there is a shop there that sells simcards for the various networks. You can have your simcard up and running before you even get in the taxi.

 

How sweet is that! Thanks!

 

I have a friend that works for ATT wireless. He told me that the iPhone can be unlocked for use on other networks, but if unlocked, all the features (push email, wifi, etc) may not work when you get back on the ATT network. Supposedly done to keep people loyal to ATT. He also told me he dosen't know of anyone that has actually tried this yet...all this info is the company line. It may not be worth the risk, but it is up to you.

 

I will say that that is an expensive phone to take on vacation with you. I bring my US phone with me but leave it in the safe. I have a less expensive unlocked phone I use when overseas. If I lose it or it gets stolen no big deal. Last month, I left it in two different restaurants in Pattaya. You wouldn't believe it, but both times an employee had kept it waiting for me to come back to get it.

 

Come to think of it, you're right.. losing that phone a couple weeks after getting it will ruin half my vacation... so I will bring a cheap phone instead... thanks!

[Bill Wilson]

I have two questions..

 

Can I get these sim cards at 7-11's in Bangkok, as I am landing there first and will be there for two days before I arrive in Pattaya.

 

I plan on getting the new 3G iPhone right before I leave the US for Thailand.... is it going to work? Will I need to get it unlocked? Can u even unlock that phone, lol....

 

 

buddy

if you are from the usOFa, ONLY tmoble and cingular/att have a "sim card"

 

if you aint tmoble or cingular/att you need to get a phone in LOS

 

pm me if you want more info

 

bw

[sfgrunt]

okay, i'm having so much problem with this.

 

i purchased a one2call sim and the label for the number is this

 

0801234567 (the first three numbers come off the label, the rest is fake obviously)

 

 

what is the correct format for this number so that someone from the US can reach me?

 

i don't have any problem calling out, but getting a call is problematic.

 

i'm not sure how soon i'll be back, but i'd like to keep this number if possible. how do i add minutes from the US?

[chuckrivera]

okay, i'm having so much problem with this.

 

i purchased a one2call sim and the label for the number is this

 

0801234567 (the first three numbers come off the label, the rest is fake obviously)

 

 

what is the correct format for this number so that someone from the US can reach me?

 

i don't have any problem calling out, but getting a call is problematic.

 

i'm not sure how soon i'll be back, but i'd like to keep this number if possible. how do i add minutes from the US?

 

 

You have to drop the "0" as it is used in country only, so your friend would have to dial 011 for international, then Thai country code 66:

 

011-66-801234567

 

If they are using SoodSood, they can dial direct 0801234567 without having to dial international.

[chuckrivera]

Edited cause apparently I can't read!

Edited May 24, 2008 by chuckrivera

[Ozarkbuddy]

I'm not cel phone wiz ,So I just use the internet Cafe.Very Cheap

[silverslug66]

I've read most of these cell phone threads, but I just need some reassurance that the same info still applies. I just purchased an UNLOCKED QUAD-BAND MOTOROLA V190 GSM CELL PHONE. I plan on buying a SIM card for it at the Bangkok airport. I understand that cards are about 100 bt, and that I can can "top up" for 200 bt. What I don't know is...

 

1) how many minutes that would be good for?

 

2)which network has the most reach in Thailand for the lowest cost per minute (1-2-CALL, Happy...)?

 

3) Could they still be talked down to 50 Satang per min (isn't that less than 1 US cent?!) as was stated in one thread?

 

4) Will the MOTOROLA I bought work well with any/all of the networks?

 

Thanks

[Slacker]

Yeah you might need to get the phone unlocked too. Very easy to do.

 

If / when you do...make sure any info you want to keep (like numbers, etc.) is backed up on your current US SIM card and NOT in the phone memory, as unlocking a phone will wipe out everything and return the phone to factory settings !