greatjob

I understand I need to go to the Bangkok main store (somewhere near Siam Square?) to port my DTAC phone number to True. I usually get to Bangkok every couple months, so that's probably going to be a scheduled stop.

Truemove MNP procedure

Locations:

•True Shop Chamchuri Square

•True Shop IT Mall, 3rd Pl. CP Tower 2

•True Shop Digital Gateway (Siam Square)

•True Shop The Mall Bangkapi

•True Shop Central Pinklao

•True Shop Central Airport Plaza Chiang Mai

•True Shop The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima

•True Shop Pacific Park Sriracha

•True Shop Khon Khaen

•True Shop Big C Hat Yai

•True Shop Ocean Shopping Mall Phuket

•True Shop Nakonsawan

•True Shop Ayudhya Park Shopping Center

•True Shop Laemthong Shopping Plaza Rayong

•True Shop Charoensri Arcade Udonthani

I going through the process at the True Shop in Sri Ratcha (closest point to Pattaya) right now. I'm switching from AIS to True. True cannot make make the change unless your DTAC number has been registered in your name for at least seven days.

1. First and most important step is to make sure your number is registered with DTAC for at least 7 days. If you have a postpaid account with DTAC, the balance will have to paid off. There cannot be any charges on the account. Without that all the other steps are just a waste of time.
2. Take your passport and work permit (not required if you are here on a retirement Visa) only to a True shop mentioned above. Other True shops cannot help you.
3. Fill out a MNP form. The True representative will help you and make copies of your passport and work permit. You will be asked to select a promotion.
4. You will be issued a True SIM and will be advised to wait for the SIM to be activated. You might be charged 99 baht for the SIM (mine was free).
5. You should receive a SMS using the DTAC SIM from True advising the new SIM is activated within 3 days.
6. Take out and through away the DTAC SIM (it's now useless) and replace it with True SIM.

Note: if you have a prepaid SIM, credits will be lost unless you transfer them to another number prior to the carrier change. They will not be applied to your new True SIM card.

My biggest problem is with AIS. For some reason AIS keeps mysteriously losing the registration information on their system. I don't find about it until after I have waited at least the 10 days (7 for the registration to take effect and 3 for the SIM to be activated) when I contact the True Shop to find out why the SIM wasn't activated. This has happen 3 times now!

Each time AIS apologizes when I restart with the registering the AIS SIM in my name. Personally I think it's an AIS tactic to keep customers from switching away from them.

Very good point. I had the same problem with DTAC.

I fixed it by going to DTAC and checked that my passport number registered with my SIM card was correct (I registered my SIM card 7 years before and my passport number was not the same as my current passport).

You do not need to wait 7 days for the registration. My wife registered her SIM card by DTAC in the morning, got an SMS the same afternoon from DTAC saying that the SIM was registered and then went the same day to True to transfer the number. 3 days later she was transfered.

I would strongly recommend doing the whole "register/transfer" at the Mall Bangkapi, DTAC is on the 3d floor, True is just below on the 2nd floor.

Again, make sure your first name, last name and passport number is registered correctly with DTAC and then you should be able to transfer without problem. It is free to move to True.

By the way, I had some problem with 3G yesterday, couldn't connect. I had to "reset network settings" on my Iphone 4 and 3G was working fine again. It seems that it is a known Iphone 4 bug, so be aware in case you lose 3G or EDGE signal sometimes.

GJ

It looks like this is an optional security setting you can set up on your account. Once you log in to your Gmail account choose Account Settings, manage My Account, under personal settings, you'll see Security and a link to "Using 2-step verification", then set up this two-step SMS authorization feature. I guess the OP can confirm that SMSes can be sent to any/all mobile providers? I may add my Google Voice number.

Ah OK, now I get it!

May be a tad dangerous however - what happens if you lose the Mobile 'phone you designate, you could lose access to your Account for quite some time?

Patrick

Actually they give you an option to set up a second mobile number (any network). They also give you a series of codes that you can print and keep somewhere safe in case you lose your number/mobile or else.

It may not be a "trick" but I think this feature is quite good.

I confirm, it works with both DTAC and True (I haven't tested AIS though) in Thailand.

Cheers,

GJ

Hi,

I just want to share with you a trick I tried yesterday.

You've probably received one of those email from a "friend" asking you to send him/her 2000 Pounds because he is blocked in an airport somewhere around the world. Gmail got the trick to make sure no one can access your account but you.

I just set up my Gmail account with the new 2-step verification from Gmail.

It is pretty simple to set up, works with any Thai mobile phone operators and does give you very high security in terms of who is using your Gmail account.

For all computers that you are using to log on to your Gmail account, you will need to verify your account by geting an SMS with verification code (the kind you receive for your Bank Account) and only after verification they will allow you to connect to your Gmail from that computer.

To check it out and see if your account is activated: https://www.google.c...s/ManageAccount

Great way to make sure no one steals your email account.

GJ

Yet another PR article... TRUE sucks and no PR can do anything with that

Jeez, can't make a positive comment without being labelled as "working for True"......

Anyway.... one think that I do not like is that I signed up for the extra 69 Baht for 100 minutes on "on-net" True calls and it does not work. It still takes it out of my 300 minutes.

The answer from the helpline was that it randomly takes it from the 69 Baht package and sometimes from the extra package.... That sucks.

3G does drain your battery though (even on the IPhone 4)....

GJ

Hi All,

I will be sharing a happy experience with Truemove 3G.

I was with Dtac for 8 years and made the jump to switch to True around 1 month ago. I was able to keep my existing number free of charge (Number Portability).

The whole process went very well, I was on Prepaid with DTAC and sign for a PostPaid by True.

The package that I chose was for the Iphone, 599 Baht/month unlimited data (Edge,3G and wifi) + 300 min all network, 300 SMS and 50 MMS. I also added an extra 69 Baht voice pack for 100 minutes onnet on True.

I have an Iphone 4 that I bought from DTAC 3 months ago.

3G is well covered in Bangkok (I haven't found a place without 3G yet) and I am currently in Pattaya for the weekend, 3G everywhere as well. The speed is consistently around 2MB/s, speedtest.net, which is fine.

The cool thing is that whenever I am close to a Truewifi hotspot, I am automatically connected to it, no need to enter any username or password.

Anyway I just wanted to share with you my great experience SO FAR!!

GJ

Thank you for your help!

Much appreciated!

GJ

Hi All,

I just bought a house on one of the Sansiri projects after selling my condo. The house looks great and all and I am looking at installing an electric gate remotely controlled so that I can open the gate when driving in with the press of a button.

Would any of you know any reliable companies that could come and set up an electric gate in Bangkok? Any ideas on a price? I just need the basics, nothing fancy.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

GJ

Thank you all for your comments.

If I were to try to damper "bass" sounds from let's say a karaoke restaurant not far from my condo, would that still be enough or do they have special windows for this?

Again a big thank you for all the help,

GJ

If rented property, you will need the blessing of the landlord, preferably in writing.

If its a condo he might also need the blessing of the developer too.

Many UPVC companies in BKK.

Hi,

Thank you for all the feedback. Would you be willing to PM me a good company that could be doing soundproof PVC internal windows? I am in the Prakanong district.

Is there a technical term for soundproof windows (3-layers windows?).

Again thank you for all your help,

GJ

Thanks for the reply, I own the place and I know that it is much easier to modify something from the inside and changing anything on the outside.

Any help would be truly appreciated!

Thank you,

GJ

Dear All,

I would like to soundproof the windows in my bedroom (Condo in Bangkok). I saw this website http://www.soundproo...s.com/faq4.html but it seems that they only sell them in the States.

Would anyone of you know where I could get soundproofed windows? I would prefer if I could add another layer of windows instead of removing and putting brand new ones.

Any help would be truly appreciated.

GJ

Hi,

I was about to fill up my tank with 91 Gasohol this morning when the gas station clerk told me that Shell had stopped selling 91 Gasohol nationwide.

I was not able to check other gas stations but they did remove the big 91-gasohol board and changed all stickers to 95 gasohol at that gas station.

Just wondering if the clerk is actually right or if it is just "mot laew" today.

Thanks for any info,

GJ

Same issue near Nana on Sukhumvit

Could someone please report to dtac and ask them to fix it?

I tried but they are overwhelmed with calls, I was sent to their voicemail (I called from my landline).

Strange and unsettling

Strange, am I the only one?

I tried on two different phones, I can get SMS without any problem but receiving calls from domestic or international numbers come through 1 once every 10 tries.

Making calls are very difficult as well.

I would appreciate if anyone else could report whether they have this problem as well or not. I am on Sukhumvit, not far from Onnut.

GJ

Hi All,

I just wanted to say that I was FINALLY able to book an appointment online. The appointment became available at 9.03am (surprisingly not at night like previously reported), three days became available. At 9.06am only 1 day was left and I was able to book the time I needed.

It really looks like they are running out of appointment possibilities very quickly.

I am not sure if this is helpful but I did use Google Chrome beta version 5 with the "Page Auto Refresh - Version: 1.0.1" extension installed (which refreshed my Visa schedule page every 20 seconds). I kept 1/3 of my screen with the visa schedule page open and continued working on the 2/3 of the screen. After almost a week and half, I was able to spot the appointment and finally got lucky.

Good luck to others who are still not able to find an appointment! This definitely taught me to NEVER try to get a visa in March, it seems that trying to get an appointment in January is much easier as reported in other threads.

GJ

THANK YOU US EMBASSY BANGKOK!

Yesterday evening, Monday at 6:00pm, I e-mailed the US Embassy in Bangkok,

explaining the need for an expedited appointment, and asked for their kind help.

E-mail address: [email protected]

I explained in detail the emergency reasons for the request..

and the fact that the Thai had prior issue of an US Tourist Visa a year ago...

and briefly detailed the Thais background...(they already had this from prior US Visa)

along with copy of the VisaPoint application page for the Thai...

and that an appointment, after many days of trying, could not be obtained on the website...

and therefore...requested an expedited appointment.

At 7:42am Tuesday morning..today...

I received an e-mail reply from the US Embassy Bangkok..

expressing their condolences and asked me to inform the Thai

that an Expedited Appointment has been set for....(early morning ...later this week).

ThaiVisa friends....I hope that by my sharing this information on this forum,

others with emergency needs for an expedited appointment may be helped.

Thank You US Embassy Bangkok! ...

and to fellow ThaiVisa forum members who offered suggestions...

Much appreciated!!

tj

Congratulations! You are lucky, good for you!

I am still stuck with my "auto-reload feature from Chrome" on the VISA Appointment page hoping for a "green" day (or so called available days) to appear ..... I'm surprised I don't get a "Please hold on to your keyboard, your money is important to us, you are the next in line...... NOOOT"

I will try the [email protected] and see if I get lucky as well!

Thanks

GJ

Today...11:00am ..Monday

I tried to call the US Embassy Warden for Pattaya...

Gary Hacker...089 803 0388...as posted on Expat web pages)

no answer..."call back service"...no call back yet.

tj

You tried at midnight, 0100-0300 hrs, something like that? The poster a couple of weeks ago broke through the queue that way, said there were lots of open dates. It's the computer that's screwed up!

Mac

I am still on the same boat as Travelerjim, I tried at 1AM, 2AM, even last night at 3.30AM.... I tried all day long, still full. It's my second week trying many times a day.....

I have never seen such a mess, this is ridiculous. How about just putting us on queue and then giving us ANY appointment available (up for grab), that would make more sense...

Disappointed...

GJ

Thanks for your advice, I didn't see the last topic on this, sorry.

I will try the "late" advice and see if it works. I wish it was easier but if I can ANY appointment anytime, I'll be very happy.

Thanks again,

GJ

Hi All,

I am quite frustrated right now.... Even after trying at least a 100 times... I still can't get a VISA appointment to the US embassy in Bangkok....

My wife and I are planning to go on a two-week holiday to the US this summer. My wife needs a visa to the US and, as we have 3-4 months before going on the trip, I felt it was the right time to apply for a visa for her.

I went on the US embassy website for Bangkok, read online what is needed to be done to get a US visa and things look pretty straight forward and feasible. Everything is spelled out very clearly and it sounded like it should not be a big problem to gather the information needed.

The next thing I had to do is buying a PIN number (which I did) and then use it to get access to their "appointment" system.....

The problem starts when, after filling in all the necessary fields online, you try to find a day for an appointment .... and that it turns out that all days are "UNAVAILABLE" or "BUSY" until 2012....

I tried to contact the US embassy but received the general "please try again later" kind of answers or the "we will add more appointment possibilities at a later date". After 100 tries throughout this week I am wondering if something is actually wrong or is it just me.

Has anybody had the same problem before? When is the good time to "try" to get an appointment on the online system?

Am I missing something?

A big thank you to anyone who can help us!

GJ

Sorry, as everything is said already, but also I think that its design is superior.

Is it true that it is made for mainly the Asian market?

"The relaxing manner is carried over to its interior. The whole design is simple and easy to use.

Light color trimming and panoramic glass roof free up the ambience. The sense quality is also right

- not as good as Audi but comfortably above Ford Mondeo. Although the wood and alloy trims do not

look very real, they work in harmony with the rest of the design. Space is plenty both front and rear.

The leather seats are comfy and supportive - they are made from a vibration absorbing urethane and

shaped ergonomically to fit your body. The front seats even get heating and cooling ventilation.

Front passenger seat also gets an electrically adjustable calf support.

No wonder Teana is so well received in China."

Limbo

Hi Limbo,

I checked Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Teana) and it seems that the Teana has only be launched in Japan, India, Russia, China, Brunei, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia, not in the US yet.

Now this is Wikipedia, not a very reliable source of information.

Hope that helps and thanks for your quote!

GJ

Thank you Donnyboy, your answer is again very helpful.

I think I will go for the pearl white one, looks gorgeous and, as you said, seems to suffer less from car washes and Bangkok dust and pollution. With 60% tinted windows, it should look perfect!

Thanks again to all posters, much appreciated.

GJ

Thank you both for your insights, much helpful.

And the 2004-2010 pictures really give a better sense of how different it looks.

Much appreciated.

Now I am still wondering if a Pearl White would resale better than a black one, let's say in 5 years time, as both look pretty good to me. Just wondering.

Thanks again,

GJ

Hi,

I am very close to buy the new Nissa Teana 2.5 V6 as I went for a test drive and loved how smooth the ride was.

I know that lots of people just can't think of buying anything but a Toyota or Honda (because of resale value) but I have to say the Teana just looks great and even better on paper (at least) than Camry or Accord... and it has that "special" look that I personally like.

Pros:

• V6 - definitely a plus
  
• 2.5L, gives you the power you need
  
• Very luxurious interior
  
• Free insurance
  
• Sunroof, side airbags, Navi for a little extra
  

Cons:

• It's not a Toyota (resale value)
  
• It's not a Honday (same thing)
  
• Some may say it is an "uncle" car... I am below 40 ...
  

I would really appreciate first-hand experience of driving / using a Nissan Teana, whether you felt it was the right choice and whether you are happy with your car overall.

Last question, does the Pearl White looks good or is it just me?

Thanks for your help and comments, much appreciated.

GJ

worse thing is.. they dont sell any good food, good supply and they dont offer fun games.. weird market

I agree, I just don't know how they make money, especially when you see that their "concert" or "show" attracts at most 2-3 people a night (often so drunk they can't even buy another beer anymore). When you count the power bill, the dancers that need to be paid, the rental of the equipment.... I don't see them making any money...

Thanks for the advice James, this is definitely a must-do. I actually did my homework when I was prospecting to buy the apartment and all was calm and nice on that side of the building, even on weekends.... I guess you never know until you live there....

Ken

2-3 people doesnt sound like much of a market mate, more like roadside karaoke joint.

The market in itself is not small (maybe 40 booths) and gather quite a crowd every night but the stage they use for their so-called "shows" is way too big for their 2-3 spectators .... and the sound system is ridiculously monstrous.

worse thing is.. they dont sell any good food, good supply and they dont offer fun games.. weird market

I agree, I just don't know how they make money, especially when you see that their "concert" or "show" attracts at most 2-3 people a night (often so drunk they can't even buy another beer anymore). When you count the power bill, the dancers that need to be paid, the rental of the equipment.... I don't see them making any money...

Thanks for the advice James, this is definitely a must-do. I actually did my homework when I was prospecting to buy the apartment and all was calm and nice on that side of the building, even on weekends.... I guess you never know until you live there....

Ken