Calling From And Within Thailand.

[mariohotlips]

Hi first of all I want to thank you a lot for the useful information in your website. It is both informative and practical. but here is my enquiry.

I will soon be travelling to thailand and I would be buying a new sim card from AIS. Is it possible that I dont show the number I am calling from? the thing is that I dont want people to call me back while there. In my country Malta I just do #31# plus the number and the number does not show up to the recepient. or else i do it straight from my mobile settings.

I really hope someone can help me in this please. thanks in advance.

[BambinA]

Is it possible that I dont show the number I am calling from?

I think you can set it from your cell.(depends on the model's option)

[Crossy]

There was a similar thread a little while back. IIRC the general opinion was that you cannot turn off caller ID on a Thai mobile.

If you don't want to be called back, get a second SIM and use that to make your 'don't want a reply' calls, or use a public phone

[paveet]

Or of course get a PCT! =) A PCT shows up as "private" or "unknown" or "0000" depending on the mobile operator the recipient is using. It shows up as private on my TOT caller ID line at home.

BuddyPCT is the prepaid one.. I think you can get unlimited mobile and landline calls for under 320 baht a month.

[Crossy]

Or of course get a PCT! =) A PCT shows up as "private" or "unknown" or "0000" depending on the mobile operator the recipient is using. It shows up as private on my TOT caller ID line at home.

BuddyPCT is the prepaid one.. I think you can get unlimited mobile and landline calls for under 320 baht a month.

Call me stupid (many do) but I need enlightening as to exactly what a PCT is

[A_Traveller]

PCT is an analogue mobile phone system as opposed to digital. There's nothing wrong with it but AIS was very successful in portraying it as a 'poor' relation to the digital service. The network never really got it's act together {wonder why } and it needed {still?} a piggy back to call {i.e. +1 to call PCT} so it never really took off.

However, it may make a resurgence on the data side, but with the political issue here on telecoms, breath holding is not a recommend option.

Regards

PS Hiding your number is not an option for normal users here since the network controls this function and overrides any handset settings.

/edit add PS //

Edited March 9, 2007 by A_Traveller

[topfield]

PCT is an analogue mobile phone system as opposed to digital. There's nothing wrong with it but AIS was very successful in portraying it as a 'poor' relation to the digital service. The network never really got it's act together {wonder why } and it needed {still?} a piggy back to call {i.e. +1 to call PCT} so it never really took off.

However, it may make a resurgence on the data side, but with the political issue here on telecoms, breath holding is not a recommend option.

Regards

PS Hiding your number is not an option for normal users here since the network controls this function and overrides any handset settings.

/edit add PS //

I seem to remember that a PCT type system was considered in the UK but the idea abandoned when its Achille's heel was revealed ...it cannot receive /make calls if travelling in excess of 60mph ie in fast cars and trains ..but no problem for the slow snailpace Thai trains. Its main advantage for expats is/ was that when used as a mobile (it functions as both mobile and fixed line)it uses standard land line phone numbers ie 02 for Bangkok and therefore one can call from the UK using BT at a far cheaper rate than to call to a Thai mobile number.

[paveet]

PCT is an analogue mobile phone system as opposed to digital. There's nothing wrong with it but AIS was very successful in portraying it as a 'poor' relation to the digital service. The network never really got it's act together {wonder why } and it needed {still?} a piggy back to call {i.e. +1 to call PCT} so it never really took off.

However, it may make a resurgence on the data side, but with the political issue here on telecoms, breath holding is not a recommend option.

Regards

PS Hiding your number is not an option for normal users here since the network controls this function and overrides any handset settings.

/edit add PS //

Basically PCT stands for Personal Communications Telephone. It uses a technology called PHS (Personal handy-phone System) as opposed to GSM or CDMA used by what we would call a mobile phone. PHS was designed by the Japanese to be used in densely populated areas (such as Tokyo) and marketing younger generation. Several years ago True (and TOT too I think) jointly started the network in Bangkok. Their signals are inferior to mobile phone (yes thats a fact not an opinion!) due to their inability to switch cells (well antennas on top of buildings if you like) effectively.

PCT comes in two flavours.. it can either piggy back onto your home/office phone (as an extension) as mentioned before or as a prepaid package called "PCT Buddy". With PCT Buddy, True will assign you a landline number which is one of theirs. Callers would be greeted with "hello this is 0-2-blahblah-blah please press the PCT number you require or press 0 for the landline" or without the landline option if you opted for PCT Buddy.

Pavee