Please read if you have an AIS phone number

[Bazle]

I heard a rumour a few days ago that, if you have an AIS SIM card but it isn't up-to-date, you will lose the service later in the year.

It sounded unlikely, but I wanted to check it out as I shall be helpless to handle the situation if it happens when I am out of the country. So, this afternoon, I bit the bullet and went to the AIS shop in Central Festival. The wait could have been worse, only about 30 minutes.

To abbreviate the story, the service girl used her tablet computer to take a picture of me, then a picture of my passport (which I had to sign on the screen), and then replaced my existing SIM card with a new one. I asked what would have happened if I had not visited the shop, but was unable to comprehend the answer.

However, there is probably a clue as to what this is all about in the text messages on my phone - identity checking:

I am guessing that there is some sort of code in the new SIM that indicates that I have been ID-checked. Anyone not ID-checked will lose the service later; it is most likely connected with bringing down the call centre scams. 

Maybe it is also connected with banking - https://thepattayanews.com/2025/02/02/thailand-cracks-down-on-mule-accounts-with-new-mobile-banking-rules-thousands-of-foreigners-affected/

If anyone more knowledgeable about these matters can elaborate, please do so.

I am surprised that this has not been more publicised.

[travelling_man]

I still find this confusing, because I remember YEARS AGO, taking my passport in for my sim to be registered under a publicized program just like now.

[No-man]

Me to. June 2023, on my first full day, I went to get my phone number/sim. It took a long time because of registering it with passport.

So that process needs to be repeated?

 

Edited March 18 by Nanaman

[Bazle]

21 minutes ago, Nanaman said:

So that process needs to be repeated?

I don't know for sure, but it would be prudent to assume that it does. 

[travelling_man]

My online AIS account doesn't show if I am registered but there is now an online option to upload your passport.

Yep.  My number is 22+ years old.  Where did the time go?

[alexlad]

I got an SMS in Thai language from AIS last month, notifying me that I was required to verify my ID in order to be allowed to continue using their Voice over WiFi ("VoWiFi") service specifically.

I found that rather odd, because I had registered that SIM card with my then-passport when that had become a requirement back in 2015.

I went to an AIS shop with my current passport and did the "new" ID verification. They acknowledged my prior registration and even showed me my old passport number, but confirmed that it needed to be redone due to new requirements. Getting a new SIM card wasn't brought up, but I had to replace mine some years ago for another reason, so maybe I just happen to have the current version already. 

Oh well, it took just a few minutes, I'm just glad that I didn't disregard that SMS.

[travelling_man]

This reel came up today showing changes in the sim registration program.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18psc4YrB2/

It looks like some sims will no longer be allowed to be to registered by foreigners.

[thainet]

1 hour ago, travelling_man said:

This reel came up today showing changes in the sim registration program.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18psc4YrB2/

It looks like some sims will no longer be allowed to be to registered by foreigners.

This is a small change in Tourist Sims..nothing to get your knickers in a twist about

[Greg_B]

I've had the same number since 2002 and did the passport requirement in 2016.

I keep enough Baht on it to keep it active each year

I'll know if there is an issue when I visit in May 2025, if so, I'll go see AIS

[travelling_man]

2 hours ago, thainet said:

nothing to get your knickers in a twist about

It doesn't affect me ... And my knickers are always twisted.  I prefer the feeling.

😜

[Rambo2201]

On 21/03/2025 at 03:13, Greg_B said:

I've had the same number since 2002 and did the passport requirement in 2016.

I keep enough Baht on it to keep it active each year

I'll know if there is an issue when I visit in May 2025, if so, I'll go see AIS

I'm in a similar situation but I won't be in Pattaya until July, can you report back how it went please.

[JamesCook45]

Changing your mobile number is a massive ballache here.  When I did it, I had to update at least a dozen apps and websites, that I didn't expect.  Also had to visit the bank 5 times.  They only managed to updated one of the many banking services (daily statement, transaction update, one-time passward, ID proof) each time, although insisted everything would be fine.

[LeoTex]

On 20/03/2025 at 22:13, Greg_B said:

I've had the same number since 2002 and did the passport requirement in 2016.

I keep enough Baht on it to keep it active each year

I'll know if there is an issue when I visit in May 2025, if so, I'll go see AIS

I was there for most of this April. 

When I arrived, I went to AIS in the luggage area to get a month of data.

I also went to AIS at Central before leaving for a reload to also keep it active for a year.

Nothing was mentioned about doing any update when ask at both locations. 

I have had this new number since returning right after Covid restrictions were lifted.  

Edited April 27 by LeoTex
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[CaribbeanDelight]

Will do a check but got mine in 2023 when I went to the AIS store to buy a SIM cards.
Also did the ID and photo back then.