Which Thai Mobile Phone Company do you prefer?

[7of9rocks]

for years, i've just mindlessly picked up whatever happened to be convenient.     off hand, i'm thinking that there isn't much difference between the big boys: TRUE, AIS, DTAC but i could be wrong.     many of you have lived here for years and are certainly more qualified than i am to comment on this.     suggestions?      (my situation: basically only need cell phone & web surfing for 2 - 3 weeks and primarily in Bangkok).     Thanks!

[Craig krup]

I know absolutely nothing, so can also I ask, i) when does a number stop working if you're out of Thailand, and ii) do you need a SIM to use line, Skype and the like?

 

If the answer to "ii" is yes, then for a lot of folk the absolute cheapest deal for near-zero usage is the way forward, given that nearly everything is done on the web with wi-fi. 

[misterphil]

I don't prefer any as Ive had only the same AIS number for 12 years. Ive never tried any other as Ive never had any problem with AIS.

[khunPer]

Tried both AIS and DTAC – been here permanent for 12+ years – prefer AIS; and I still have DTAC as a wireless ISP-backup.

 

In the beginning (of my time in Thailand) there were difference in coverage, so depending of area one company was better than another, but today I presume all covers equally well. There might be other issues to choose one from another.

[falangjim]

True is horrible. AIS is my preferred network.

[Ulic]

I have had several providers, AIS while in Phuket, D-tac when in Jomtien. I was happy

with both but I am low maintenance. I go stop by an AIS/D-tac shop once a month

so I choose based on a location near where I live. 

[Bkk2061]

2 hours ago, falangjim said:

True is horrible. AIS is my preferred network.

True isn't horrible in bkk... 

Half the places I go I realise im connected to fast true wifi  rather than 4g

Which is great because it doesn't use any of your data a lot of the time

[lockyv7]

i always use True but thats just because its the only one that works where we are, go half a mile up the road and there is plenty of choice but for now its True. 

[VBF]

10 hours ago, Craig krup said:

I know absolutely nothing, so can also I ask, i) when does a number stop working if you're out of Thailand, and ii) do you need a SIM to use line, Skype and the like?

 

If the answer to "ii" is yes, then for a lot of folk the absolute cheapest deal for near-zero usage is the way forward, given that nearly everything is done on the web with wi-fi. 

1 - With AIS (don't know about the others) as long as you leave credit on the phone, the phone WON'T be disconnected. When you top it up, you get an SMS with a date showing when your credit expires. Top it up as follows

 

Top up < 150 Baht extends validity by 30 days (Applies to top up at AIS or Family Mart)

Top up > 150 Baht extends validity by 60 days (Applies to top up at AIS or Family Mart)  so if you want 120 days, top up 151 Baht twice NOT 302 Baht once!

Can also top up at SCB ATM (if you have an SCB account) or at the machines OUTSIDE most 7/11, or online

Maximum validity is 1 year - example - I left Thailand last April, topped my phone up for 1 year using above methods. My balance is still intact so when I arrive next week, it'll work. I've been using that method for the last  5 years!  Oh, and I switch it on in UK, let it roam, then I get an automated "welcome" SMS from AIS so that keeps the phone alive. Sometimes I also dial my UK mobile number just to check and hang up when it rings. And you have to ask AIS to enable International roaming - just call their helpline.

 

2 No - if you connect via WiFi, Line, Skype, WhatsApp, Browsing all work. (Basically turns the phone into a tablet many of which don't have SIM cards anyway)

Edited January 24, 2018 by VBF

[sometimewoodworker]

10 hours ago, Craig krup said:

I know absolutely nothing, so can also I ask, i) when does a number stop working if you're out of Thailand, and ii) do you need a SIM to use line, Skype and the like?

 

If the answer to "ii" is yes, then for a lot of folk the absolute cheapest deal for near-zero usage is the way forward, given that nearly everything is done on the web with wi-fi. 

i) when your time runs out. ii) if you are registered with a line ID and you can access wifi no. However free wifi is not so common.

Edited January 24, 2018 by sometimewoodworker

[VBF]

3 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

i) when your time runs out. ii) if you are registered with a line ID and you can access wifi no. However free wifi is not so common.

Are you sure? Don't know about Bangkok, but in Pattaya nearly every hotel, bar, restaurant and even gogo has free WiFi. I've got dozens of them in my Thai phone just waiting to connect when i get into range. (All places I patronise, it must be said!)

[ToS2014]

5 hours ago, Bkk2061 said:

True isn't horrible in bkk... 

Half the places I go I realise im connected to fast true wifi  rather than 4g

Which is great because it doesn't use any of your data a lot of the time

When I first arrived I was pointed to AIS.  After a year of phone and internet issues I swapped over to 3BB.  3BB I had to pre-pay for a year.  I then moved to True.  I pay around 1K per month for 30MB download and nearly all I can do on my phone (calling and data).  I've never had any of the issues that I had with AIS and 3BB w True, so I've stuck with them for 2 years now.  If the original poster is looking for 'short time' phone/internet support I really wouldn't worry about which.

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, VBF said:

Are you sure? Don't know about Bangkok, but in Pattaya nearly every hotel, bar, restaurant and even gogo has free WiFi. I've got dozens of them in my Thai phone just waiting to connect when i get into range. (All places I patronise, it must be said!)

Just about every coffee shop in Chiang Mai has free WiFi. In fact, there is far less free WiFi in Australia. Staff look at me like I've grown two heads when I ask if they have it.

[Skeptic7]

Since I've had a mobile...15 years...have only used AIS. Overall very satisfied.

[7of9rocks]

Many thanks for the info guys

[sometimewoodworker]

11 hours ago, VBF said:

Are you sure? Don't know about Bangkok, but in Pattaya nearly every hotel, bar, restaurant and even gogo has free WiFi.

Yes I'm sure. You can easily find it in a few tourist areas, but it isn't so easy in many cities. Some bars and coffee shops may have it.

 

Public wifi is much more common where I live.