How to keep a Thai phone number? Leaving Kingdom

[Matt199]

Hi guys,

 

I will be leaving Thailand in 3 weeks back to Europe. I would like to keep my Thai number though as I don't have any other one at the moment. I need the number for receiving for example confirmations codes from other banks/brokerages as a 2nd step security. My worst nightmare would be to lose the phone or if simcard stopped working.

 

What would you do if you were in my shoes? Can I for example ask for a 2nd sim card from True and both would be active? Is it possible to somehow "host" simcard so that I don't need the physical version but I get SMS online? Or I could do something online? I'm really lost when it comes to telcos.

 

Also, I will be travelling for first few weeks in Europe so I might get a temporary sim card(s) depending where I am but it will not be a stable sim card, one that if I lose, I can easily get another one. 

 

I'm thinking what's the best option here. Advice very welcome.

 

Thanks,

Matt

Edited August 14, 2021 by Matt199

[sanmyintmaung]

I am currently out of Thailand. I have a dual sim card phone that has one sim from Thailand and one local sim. Thai sim is on international roaming and I only use it to receive OTP from Thai banks. Local sim is for making calls and mobile data. 

[yeahbutif]

Before you leave Thailand top up the number ..say 200bhat.  But get a shop to do it for you and tell them you won't be back in Thailand for 10months . and need SIM to stay active..they will then top-up phone in 10 bhat top ups ..each 10bhat will give you a,new expire date ... will last till you return.if more then 12months head the shop Will top up for you when due.

[KeeTua]

My prepaid TrueMove-H for 2 baht extends 30 days. I don't know if there's any limit on it.
*934*30#

[Johnny Mac]

It really bemuses me why so many still ask this question. All you have to do is make sure your SIM is on roaming and it will be active anywhere in the world. It is free to receive SMS's. <removed>

[CharlieH]

If you have a Thai bank zccount you can top-up theThai sim at any time online.

Just ensure you activate international roaming before you leave.

I would also get a dual sim phone and get a local sim  in Europe.

[Matt199]

I think maybe I asked the question wrong. I understand I can receive SMS abroad and keep the simcard alive by topping up. That's not my problem.

 

My question is what to do if I lose my Thai simcard abroad (stops working/lose phone etc.,) and I cannot go to True let's say in Germany.

 

That number will be just gone right until I come back to Thailand right? Or is there any solution to this?

 

I don't have any problem yet. But I can see that there can be a problem. Thanks

[CharlieH]

A sim can be duplicated but you would need to talk to True or whoever for their procedures etc, I would think if you are travelling and lose it, you coukd call them and they would send one out to you. You need to check their procedure for this event.

[bartender100]

I have a standing order to top up B100 every month from my K-Bank, keeps the number alive

[briley]

If you lose the SIM there is little you can do about it if out of Thailand. But you can still keep it alive by topping up using your online bank account, in the case of Bangkok bank I have to use the app. 

 

Obviously you can not top it up using the phone since they send a code to your SIM - that you have lost!

 

When back in Thailand you can get a new SIM made for the same number.

[MrJ2U]

If you have a Thai Bank you can pay 20 baht a month to keep it active.

 

Just use there app.

Edited August 14, 2021 by MrJ2U

[sanmyintmaung]

AIS does provide multi sim with same number for 99 baht/month/SIM. If you lose one, you just use the other one with the same number. 

[falang1969]

Maybe consider changing onto one of their cheap post-pay monthly contracts with roaming.

 

Just pay online from your Thai bank every month.

 

That's what I used to do when I went to the UK for 2 or 3 months.

 

 

[mtls2005]

How long will you be away from Thailand? Your provider here? Prepaid or postpaid?

 

There are a lot of things you need to do:

 

extend expiry to 365 days - easily done at Boon Term machine outside 7/11 - just do twelve, separate 10 baht top-ups 

maybe add a few hundred baht as well

enable International roaming - USSD code

install telco app, instal telco WiFi calling app

make sure banks have the correct number

install the bank's app - I think this precludes the requirement for an OTP - but that may be bank dependent?

don't lose the SIM card

turn off mobile data with the telco - USSD code

turn off mobile data on the phone - in Settings, whenever you use the Thai SIM

 

 

You can add IR packages to existing prepaid and post-paid accounts.

 

You could purchase a second SIM here just for International travel.

 

 

 

Edited August 15, 2021 by mtls2005

[Barley]

On 8/14/2021 at 5:10 PM, Matt199 said:

My question is what to do if I lose my Thai simcard abroad (stops working/lose phone etc.,) and I cannot go to True let's say in Germany.

 

That number will be just gone right until I come back to Thailand right? Or is there any solution to this?

As already mentioned, Multi SIM is the solution to your problem.

 

You get several SIM cards (up to 5) and they all have the same number.

 

So if you loose one, you can still use one of the other cards to receive SMS, phone calls and make calls.

 

Here are the details:

 

https://www.ais.th/postpaid/multisimpackage/en/

[mtls2005]

All three providers have a version of multiple SIMs. That's meant more as a billing solution.

 

Some allow you to bundle multiple numbers on one phone (DTAC Call).

 

 

AIS Multi SIM requires a post-paid account. Not sure if the OP has a post-paid account?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Barley]

On 8/14/2021 at 11:40 AM, Matt199 said:

Can I for example ask for a 2nd sim card from True and both would be active?

OP was asking for this. So I brought it up as an option, fully aware that he probably needs to go postpaid.

 

If it is so important to him, he may be willing to pay the extra money and transfer his number to postpaid.

[misterphil]

I add a data roaming package to my AIS Thai number while Im away at work with my Kasikorn bank app. Been doing this for years and still have the same number. 

 

https://myais.ais.co.th/login?returnUrl=%2Fhome

 

 

[Redsands]

Hi Guys, the best way and very easy to use is DING, AIS recommended them, i have been out of Thailand for 19 months. just set up a regular top up, as low as Baht 10, per month works for me and the wife.

 

redsands

[heybuz]

i get my thai mate to do 4 or five seperate top ups and it gives me 4 or five months with dtac at 20 bht per month at the moment I'm covered until december.

 

[BritManToo]

Just now, heybuz said:

i get my thai mate to do 4 or five seperate top ups and it gives me 4 or five months with dtac at 20 bht per month at the moment I'm covered until december.

 

Or you could just buy months with your credit at 2bht/month.

*113*90# costs 6bht and gets you 90 days, maximum advance is 360 days.

[sead]

Top up 50bht every month through the app

[SAFETY FIRST]

You can top up on Line 

Many options 

AIS

Lazada 

Rabbit 

[SheungWan]

MyAIS app: set up cheapest option with assistance from AIS shop and then make payments from anywhere using any visa card or MasterCard or Amex.

[sawadee1947]

On 8/14/2021 at 8:39 AM, CharlieH said:

local sim  in Europe

Any sim card of any EU country is working EU wide with local costs or flat rate. 

[jomtienisgood]

On 8/14/2021 at 1:27 PM, KeeTua said:

My prepaid TrueMove-H for 2 baht extends 30 days. I don't know if there's any limit on it.
*934*30#

Every provider offers the same, ( different access codes )True, Dtac, etc... I extend every time by 6 months, Dtac = 12 Thb /6 months, just make sure you have enough credit.... *113*180*9#    

[VBF]

Take a look at this topic

Why can I never top up myAIS app using a visa debit or credit card - Mobile devices - ASEAN NOW formerly Thai Visa Forum

 

I am using Ding very successfully from UK  https://www.ding.com/  Multiple 10Baht topups each extending validity by 30 days.

 

If you're with AIS you can login to see your balance here myAIS – Personalized to Delight

 

I'm guessing that if you lost the SIM it would also work but you wouldn't be able to check it,

Edited August 23, 2021 by VBF

[HandsomeTallFarang]

Uhh, why don’t you just receive confirmation codes and such via email? Surely that has to be an option 

[kingoak]

You can get an international Sim Card from AIS, just need to keep topping it up. It works for all countries and I have used them. Can recommend it

[khunPer]

On 8/14/2021 at 6:40 AM, Matt199 said:

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

I've been in your shoes - well virtually - if you have a so-called "top up" subscription, then you top up in lots of 20 baht each, which is the minimum top up. Each top up gives you one extra month subscription, so din't top up more than 20 baht each time, as 200 baht for example also gives you one extra month only.

 

If you are having a normal subscription, then get the provider to draw the monthly bills from your bank account, it might take up to two month before it's fully working, and require a bit of paperwork - remember your passport and bank book - in the office of your provider...????