lomatopo

Why is the total elimination of expiry dates not feasable?

It is, of course. They just dont want to do it here (presumably to get the unused numbers back for re-use, and/or to keep people topping up).

Actually it's not, of course.

Each service provider has a fixed/limited pool of numbers so if they cannot force usage through expirations, and thus allow them to recycle numbers, then they'd quickly run out of numbers.

There is also a cost associated with maintaining billing, service, accounting for each SIM/number.

The market here is still ~90% pre-paid, with an ARPU of 100 baht.

Each service provider here has a wide variety of validities tied to SIM/plan/promotion/top-up value, usage. They also honor all previous top-up/validity schemes ad infinitum, and they also offer schemes to increase validity through straight-out fees. I still recommend contacting the service provider to determine what your current scheme is, and to see if there are other options.

By having so many schemes and honoring all previous schemes you do create a bit of confusion in the attempt to satisfy customers and regulators.

TrueMove H has added some changes to their SIM T's and C's about changes effective 18 March, some refer to maximum validities of 90 days (Tourist SIM), while the Comfortable SIM allows for a max. of 365 days.

Tourist Inter SIM (49 baht):

http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/3g/sim-truemoveh/prepaid/entry/2271?ln=en

http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/3g/sim-truemoveh/prepaid/entry/2552?ln=en

Comfortable SIM:

http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/3g/sim-truemoveh/prepaid/entry/2378

http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/3g/sim-truemoveh/prepaid/entry/2379

Up to you. Your service will end next year so eventually you'll have to do something.

what I meant was, is the old Sim technically capable to work with the 2100 MHZ frequencies?

No, although the lack of interoperability is not related to frequency per se, but rather the new AWN subsidiary's requirements.

You should be able to transition (essentially a port out/port in/MNP) to AWN, get a new SIM, keep your existing plan/promotion, assuming your phone supports 2100 MHz 3G.

AIS's GSM 900 concession ends in 2015 (Sep. 16 I think), so still plenty of time.

I got an unlimited package a couple of weeks back - 799 THB + VAT for 13 GB and throttled to 384 KB/s after the 13 GBs are finished. Not sure if it's still available, it was a promotion, but it's probably worth asking for anyone that's thinking of renewing/changing their package.

Not sure what the details are: service provider? Pre-paid? Post-paid?

AIS, along with DTAC and TrueMove H, have a lot of primarily post-paid promotions available now.

AIS has a 4 GB/799 baht post-paid data plan which offers 12 GB for the first three months, then back down to 4 GB. Published FuP is 256 Kbps. While this promotion, and most others, are targeted at new customers, there have been some reports that AIS will extend this promotion to existing 4 GB/799 baht post-paid customers, upon request.

There are also some interesting promotions for converting from pre-paid to post-paid.

Bottom line is that this is a corporation that is in business to make money.

Except for TrueMove of course. They lose money year in, year out. FY2103, revenue of 35 billion baht, loss of 10.9 billion baht (TrueMove only).

http://www.whatsapp.com/faq/general/21002842

http://www.whatsapp.com/faq/android/20902622

http://www.androidpit.com/transferirng-whatsapp-chats-to-new-devices

Suspect you can find similar for LINE?

Why not just charge 120B per year as a one-off fee and be done with it?

Maybe just contact TrueMove H to see if there are any options for paying for extended validity?

My TrueMove H SIM/account/plan/promotion continues to give a 60 day maximum, rolling, non-cumulative validity based on usage (completed call) or a top-up of any value. Since I use my phone daily, and top it up every month or so, that works for me.

Up to you. Your service will end next year so eventually you'll have to do something.

AIS has completed an impressive roll-out of 3G 2100 MHz, covering (by their estimate) 97% of the population, not geography. With data roaming enabled you can fall back to the GSM900 network for data; voice roaming is automatic.

TrueMove H, through their partner CAT might have the most geographic and population coverage on 850 MHz 3G.

DTAC is probably in third place re: geographic coverage with wide deployments of both 850 MHz 3G and 2100 MHz 3G.

In major metropolitan areas and provincial capitals, and larger districts, all three probably have decent/equal coverage.

If you move around a lot, and are in rural areas frequently, TrueMove H might the best choice.

When I mentioned data roaming I was of course referring to "Domestic" data roaming, which in most cases should be enabled as there is no additional fee, and it may allow you to get onto another of your service providers' networks or partner networks.

If you are traveling internationally you must first request international roaming, and then possibly, subscribe to an IR mobile data plan. If roaming internationally I would strongly recommend you disable mobile data, and data roaming as you may incur per minute/MB fees without being aware of it, or at least until you've researched the matter to understand the costs.

Adding value to your account (topping up) is quite simply just that, you are adding Thai Baht to the pre-paid balance associated with your SIM/number/account. Topping up does not alter your service - other than to extend the validity, or automatically subscribe you to a service. As you make calls, send SMSes - we do not pay for incoming calls/SMSes here as we do in the U.S, thank goodness - your prepaid balance gets reduced by the per minute or per message rate associated with your current plan/promotion. When you subscribe to a mobile data plan, or any other service, your pre-paid balance is debited. When any recurring, subscribed services automatically renews, your pre-paid balance is debited.

Service providers offer dozens of methods for adding value to your pre-paid SIM/balance. Some even offer bonuses for using certain methods. Popular methods include retail (7/11, give your 10 digit number and cash), ATM, web/CC, bank, on-line, cashiers, denominated cards, branded storefronts.

Most service providers now have great (Android or iPhone) apps. to manage your account. They also have decent web-based applications. You can request that any service message are sent in English. Also, Google Translate has a one-button SMS translation option.

Again, if you need more speed/volume before your plan renews simply cancel it (call, email, ussd, web, app), and then subscribe to a 'fresh' plan. There is no fee for cancelling an existing package.

Both DTAC and TrueMove H offer a 1 GB/150 baht power up option to extend your speed/volume.

Service providers have Fair Use speed limits for most mobile data plans, which can range from 64 Kbps to 384 Kbps. Typically, the greater the volume/fee the higher the speed limit, but as with all things this is not a fixed rule.

DTAC, TrueMove H and AIS have all the details re: international data roaming on their web-sites.

AIS has a lot of regional packages, DTAC has just a few (350 baht/day for 25 MB, and 2,599 baht for 7 days/500 MB), TrueMove H has some unlimited plans.

TrueMove H lists METFONE has their partner in Cambodia.

http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/international_services/roaming_services/all

http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/international_services/roaming_services/entry/2240

http://www.ais.co.th/roaming/en/index.aspx

Make sure to check frequencies and coverage

http://www.totalaircard.com/categories/3G-Router/3G-Mobile-MiFi/

There are quite a few on-line air-card retailers. Most use payment on order, this seems normal here and millions of people utilize this process without problems.

Make sure you purchase a unit which supports the 3G frequencies (850/2100) which your operator might use.

Most recurring, monthly, pre-paid, volume-based plans automagically renew on the same number day of subsequent months, typically for a minimum term of 12 months. (Note that there are also single time, non-recurring, hard-capped volume-based plans.) AIS have a 7 day/ 1GB unlimited (FuP is 128 Kbps) recurring plan for 249 baht. There is also a recurring, unlimited 7 day plan for 69 baht but speed is capped at 384 kbps from the get-go.

All you need to do is have enough money associated with your SIM/number/account on the renewal date.

You should get some notification, assuming you have the SIM in a phone, about the impending renewal, maybe a few days ahead of the date as a reminder to insure that you have added money to your account. You may get USSD service messages in an aircard UI with similar messages.

There may be some web-based application (AIS has eServices) which you can use to monitor your account in an air-card application; and you may be able to originate USSD service commands from within the Aircard UI.

Typically one can cancel an existing plan - say if you have reached your FuP prior to the renewal date, at anytime prior to the renewal date, and then re-subscribe to a new/fresh/different/same plan.

Note that all three major service providers have some great, current post-paid promotions, which give 2X in GB for periods up to 12 months.

Data roaming is a non-issue; you do not pay extra for this, but it may allow you to roam onto the legacy 900 MHz network, or onto TOT's 2100 MHz 3G network, but not even sure this is an option in an aircard application?

From the original post:

I wonder why we do it - I have been guilty too.

So do as I say, not as I do.

The basic requirement for a rant.

Oh if you could just take your own advice.

Maybe the OP could "Think Globally, and Act Locally"; just walk right up to the offending parties and tell them to "Learn Thai, and Shut Up"".

Please let us know how this more direct approach works out for you.

Based on the OP's rant shouldn't the title be "Learn Thai, or Shut up"?

That's what you get with "no emotional baggage", or is it "why you love Thailand"?

AWN is the new AIS/One-2-Call 2100 MHz subsidiary. You would have had to proactively change to this new subsidiary, and suspect you'd know if you had done this. Newer SIMs are labeled as 2100 MHz. AIS's old concession ends in 2015.

Is your validity based on usage?

Mention to AIS that you are considering MNPing to DTAC as they offer cost-effective methods to extend validity.

Save some current 2x volume post-paid promotions, the current top-end might be 10 GB, with fair-use speed-limits ranging from 64 Kbps to 384 Kbps.

Any time-based (hours) plans will be capped at 384 Kbps, max.

TOT do have some truly unlimited post-paid 3G plans, but these are speed limited to 1 or 2 Mbps, from the get-go. See their "Storm" packages.

One may be able to power-up a current plan, adding 1 GB for 150 baht. (TrueMove H and DTAC offer this service, not sure how often you can rinse/repeat?)

Otherwise one can always cancel a plan, and then re-subscribe to a 'fresh' plan.

Replacing fixed-line broadband with 3G may not be feasible/cost-effective (even in the U.S.) for any/all applications.

There are some wireless PtP solutions: TOT Wi-NET, AIS AIrNET, 3BB Wireless, which may help some, but these are fixed to a single location.

http://www.tot3g.net/PromotionInfo.aspx?pid=23

http://thaiprepaidcard.com/3g-data-plans-for-12call-dtac-and-true/

http://www.thaimobilecenter.com/promotion/promotion.asp

Any news about AIS?

A lot is dependent on the current plan/promotion associated with your SIM/number/account.

I'd drop an email to [email protected] , obviously mention your phone number, and ask about longer-term expiration options.

Did you switch to AWN.

I think most newer pre-paid AWN SIMs offer a maximum of 30 and 60 day top ups based on amount, while some are capped at 60 days total, and others are cumulative out to 365 days.

Also some SIMs/plans/promotions extend validity on a rolling basis based on usage.

They also may have some options to purchase extended validity.

Not sure if this is applicable to AWN, or your SIM? (You could pay someone else to ransfer validity, but suspect AIS will let you do this for yourself, out of your pre-paid balance.)

http://www.ais.co.th/12call/en/balance-validity-transfer.html

Did you have any questions?

AIS have many, many, many packages including fixed volume, non-recurring; fixed volume, recurring, unlimited volume, recurring.

I can tell you all the things you did wrong, but I'm not sure that's what you want to hear.

Do you know, exactly, which plan you subscribed to? Was it tied to the aircard via a promotion? Please be very, very precise and include links.

There have been posts here, and on other travel forums, in the past mentioning one or more convenience stores selling SIMs at DMK, albeit at an uplift.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663178-late-nite-arrival-need-sim-card/#entry6833284

http://donmueangairportthai.com/en/805-convenience-stores

My understanding is that copies of long dead artists are legal but copies of either living or not long dead artists are not legal.

Can you share how you arrived at this understanding?

I did not see anything referring to "Copied art" in the CPB list of prohibited items. There is some reference to copyrighted items, including a single item exemption. If in doubt, I would definitely declare the item (6059B), and it's value.

I think you will be fine, but if you are unable to get a better opinion, say directly from the CPB, I might consider mailing the item directly to the recipient, or to your U.S. mailing address, and complete the declaration form accurately.

It would help if you could provide as much detail as possible about your requirements: how long are you staying, what is your phone make and model, how many voice minutes do you need, how much data do you use, etc. More detail, rather than none, may solicit useful recommendations.

How much did you pay for your DTAC Tourist SIM? 49 baht? 299 baht? Have you added any further value?

Very generally speaking voice calls are 1 baht/min, SMS 1 baht each and 1 GB of data is 400 baht/month. But there are hundreds of offers.

I think SMSes are 5 baht each with either Happy/DTAC Tourist SIM, and internet will be 2 baht/MB after you use any included data volume. So it is easy to burn through your balance quite quickly.

Not very many people are using SMSes anymore; better to use one of the internet-based messaging app. like WhatsApp!, Tango, Line, etc.

And assuming you are staying here for a while, choose a calling promotion which minimizes your voice charges, and subscribe to a volume-based data plan.

But again, it is challenging to offer recommendations without any sort of details.

Well, I was naive enough to assume "rights" have a country wide implication

First off, read the warranty details included with the phone. Those should clearly detail your "rights"; especially re: term/length, what is covered (parts/labor, etc.) local warranty service/repair agents.

queue touts selling places in line

Believe you can trade-up, that is exchange your higher number, for a lower number by discretely asking others waiting and offering decent remuneration; a bit like license queue at a DLT.

Based on the number of people milling about at Central Bang Na (floor 5 near the newer restaurant area where this MFA office) this week, many are still going there rather than Chang Watthana. Normally the queue at Central Bang Na is small and manageable, but it may take a few weeks to return to normal. Also expect there is some pent-up demand owing to the summer holidays?

^ Where (and when) is that picture from? I'm guessing that's Bang Na - Trat highway? Looking east? But where exactly? I should know as I drive this route frequently but am focused on the traffic rather than the landmarks/buildings.

Back on topic: has anyone found if TrueMove H offers pre-paid 4G/LTE volume-based packages yet?

(The Manu U pre-paid promotional SIM seems to charge 1 baht/Mega-Byte, after you use up your complementary 90 MB allotment, along with any bonuses for Man U goals/wins.)

MANCHESTER UNITED SIM (Prepay)