Steps Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Hi All, I am going back to the UK for a while and would like to know about keeping my Thai SIM card for Thai banking. I have AIS but remember reading somewhere that DTAC would be a better option. I think it was something to do with topping up but can't remember. Can anyone share there experience with this matter and elaborate on anything that i may not have thought about. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PoorSucker Posted November 26, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 26, 2021 (edited) I was away for two years in Sweden. I setup my SCB online bank to topup my AIS telephone number with 20 baht per month to not lose my number. Edited November 26, 2021 by PoorSucker 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JustAnotherHun Posted November 26, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 26, 2021 3 minutes ago, PoorSucker said: I was away for two years in Sweden. I setup my SCB online bank to topup my telephone number with 20 baht per month to not lose my number. Same with my AIS Sim the last 20 months in Germany. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris.B Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 For how long? AIS can be topped up to last a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steps Posted November 26, 2021 Author Share Posted November 26, 2021 1 minute ago, Chris.B said: For how long? AIS can be topped up to last a year. Could be a year, could be 5!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustAnotherHun Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 5 minutes ago, Chris.B said: For how long? AIS can be topped up to last a year. It's a prepaid sim. Still good until 05/22. Then I have to load some THB again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyf Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 5 minutes ago, Chris.B said: For how long? AIS can be topped up to last a year. Yes, you get another month validity for every top up. Not sure what minimum is on the street, I do it online and that is 10 baht. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steps Posted November 26, 2021 Author Share Posted November 26, 2021 1 minute ago, JustAnotherHun said: It's a prepaid sim. Still good until 05/22. Then I have to load some THB again Dont you have to make a call or send an SMS within 6 months to keep it alive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris.B Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 1 minute ago, Steps said: Dont you have to make a call or send an SMS within 6 months to keep it alive? No. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustAnotherHun Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Steps said: Dont you have to make a call or send an SMS within 6 months to keep it alive? I think no. As far as I remember I never used it when abroad. Except getting messages from BKK Bank Edited November 26, 2021 by JustAnotherHun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyf Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 4 minutes ago, Steps said: Dont you have to make a call or send an SMS within 6 months to keep it alive? I have never heard of that but then I would hold my hand up to not having read the small print. I have had my number 12 years so every chance something has changed. I lost a UK sim by not using it for 3 months and not going to let that happen again. I would advise anyone who needs to keep the number to take some sort of precaution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim16 Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 I have DTAC Thai number and Kasikorn banking - at one time I could get OTP (one time password) using my phone in the UK- that no longer works. Is there a way of getting the OTP? I can do most of the banking on line , but some transactions require a OTP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaoboi Bebobp Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 14 minutes ago, Tim16 said: I have DTAC Thai number and Kasikorn banking - at one time I could get OTP (one time password) using my phone in the UK- that no longer works. Is there a way of getting the OTP? I can do most of the banking on line , but some transactions require a OTP. I had no problem in Canada this past October getting an OTP from Kbank via my DTAC phone. I had the DTAC SIM in a separate iPhone so it was always in roaming mode. But, at first, I had to select between my local providers (4 options) to get it to connect with Thailand. Had to enter Settings, then jumping to the cellular services selector. First and second providers would not connect with DTAC in Thailand. The third one worked. I knew it worked because DTAC sent me some SMSes, welcoming me to roaming. LOL. I did 2 transactions with OTPs at different times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
it is what it is Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 just get a friend in thailand to top up your number with 20 baht per month and you'll be fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hammer2021 Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Pay from your mobile app as and when required or pay a lump sum in advance or get a friend to pay every month at a 7/11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Led Lolly Yellow Lolly Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 (edited) My family and I spent 3 and a half years in the UK. My postpaid DTAC SIM was functioning normally the whole time. I just kept paying the bills. Why don't you just get postpaid? It's easy enough. Edited November 26, 2021 by Led Lolly Yellow Lolly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86Tiger Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 I have been out of Thailand for most of past 5 years. But have no problem at all with banking. I have accounts with Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn. I use banking app on phone for both. Both apps set up in Thailand with my Thai cell number and email address. My Thai cell service is with True, I stopped by office and had them turn on international roam for my prepaid card. I can top up my cell card with either bank app. Of note: I do not receive OTP for transaction with either account. It may have been something I elected to op out when setting up the apps, I just don't remember. But I say this as evidence banking out side of Thailand is not necessarily dependent on operation of Thai cell service outside of Thailand. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david555 Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 On AIS you can add 12 x 20 baht and you are good for 1 year , i tried 100 baht at once one time , ( like my older AIS card from 2008 bought who need 100 at once for 1 year valid )....,but that did not worked out on the new one as it gave only few months , so 12 x separate 20 for 1 year valid that worked . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetops Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 10 baht top ups available on Lazada now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arick Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 I keep both UK and Thai sim on my phone. My AIS is post pay so half to pay my bill monthly. But AIS gives you a fee month's holidays where you don't have to pay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dambuster Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Tourist pre-paid SIM with True since 2015. Top up with 50 Baht occasionally from my Thai bank account when out of the country, then: Extend SIM validity for 30/90 days - 30days at 3Baht, press *934*30# - 90days at 9Baht, press *934*90# The short codes work in EU even with data roaming off, as long as international access is enabled HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uroller Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Not a sim issue but can anybody confirm that using a Thai debit card works in UK )at atm) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilly07 Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 21 hours ago, sandyf said: I have never heard of that but then I would hold my hand up to not having read the small print. I have had my number 12 years so every chance something has changed. I lost a UK sim by not using it for 3 months and not going to let that happen again. I would advise anyone who needs to keep the number to take some sort of precaution. Yes O2 cancelled my UK sim without warning with 14 gbp still in it. Didn't know you had to keep using it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithcresswell Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 3 hours ago, Uroller said: Not a sim issue but can anybody confirm that using a Thai debit card works in UK )at atm) BKK bank, Kbank and SCB all work in foreign ATMs, you have to call the banks first to let them know you are going abroad and for how long. The exchange rate is bad and there is a charge to use the ATM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heng Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 The monthly AIS top up thing works, but the reason why folks recommend DTAC over AIS for keeping a number 'alive' is that DTAC allows you to purchase validity time. 15 Baht buys you 6 months of validity (with no top up required, it's just deducted from your balance). It's only a 240 Bath vs. 30 Baht a year difference, but it's two 'reminders' per year vs. 12. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT3k72Em Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Also get the DTAC Call app. It allows you to receive the SMS codes (and calls) on another phone. So you don't need to use roaming or keep your DTAC sim in another phone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pootegg Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 I am doing what you want to do . It I have a contract with True and roaming enabled .. I use a separate old phone with the aim card in and no problem pay the bill every month using their app I know I could possibly use a basic top up SIM card but I got stuck with that once before and found this way gave me peace of mind without worry . I also use that phone to have MEA app and also PEA app so can pay bills direct. What ever you do ensure roaming is activated before you leave and confirm that phone number is registered at the bank . Hope to return to Thailand 2 years after I left due to covid .. house is just sitting empty .... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uroller Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 2 hours ago, keithcresswell said: BKK bank, Kbank and SCB all work in foreign ATMs, you have to call the banks first to let them know you are going abroad and for how long. The exchange rate is bad and there is a charge to use the ATM. Thanks???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nglodnig Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 On 11/26/2021 at 9:34 AM, Steps said: Dont you have to make a call or send an SMS within 6 months to keep it alive? Nope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzzzz Posted November 28, 2021 Share Posted November 28, 2021 ais, top it up online<...https://www.ais.th/one-2-call/topup_online.html 20 baht top up adds 1 month to your pre paid # I top up 10 baht /use each time, ( adds 1 month) in an office before i travel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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