So I need phone service or is WiFi ok?

[BritManToo]

6 minutes ago, Yolando said:

Very strange then that you can't produce any evidence that this a threat from any non-biased site that's not trying to sell their crappy software.

Fritz has been retired 20 years, he's way out of date with security.

Still gives his credit/debit card numbers to online stores is the give away.

[FritsSikkink]

1 minute ago, Yolando said:

 

Very strange then that you can't produce any evidence that this a threat from any non-biased site that's not trying to sell their crappy software.

There is loads of information about this subject on the internet. I don't have time or the will to try to educate stubborn people who are not open to learn something but think they know it all. Goodbye.

[jaywalker2]

4 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

I don't use public WIFI and have my phone secured. I am not using my banking app while walking around.

That's fine for you. Other people travel around, they stay in hotels. Many digital nomads rely on WiFI. If you're a peripatetic, I don't see how you can avoid using public WiFi.

[jas007]

In my case, I already have AIS phone service with a data plan and can use my iPhone as a hotspot.  I already have NordVPN, not necessarily for this purposes, but once you have the subscription, you can use it on all your devices.  And, as I've said, I can purchase additional data if I happen to need any, through the AIS app. 

 

So, that's about as good as I can do, all things considered.  

[FritsSikkink]

32 minutes ago, jaywalker2 said:

Many digital nomads rely on WiFI. If you're a peripatetic, I don't see how you can avoid using public WiFi.

Get a secured phone with your own internet and use your phones hotspot to access the internet on your laptop.

Change all default passwords from devices you use.

[FritsSikkink]

55 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Not even sure malware for android phones even exists.

Then again what do you know about IT security.

[FritsSikkink]

48 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Fritz has been retired 20 years, he's way out of date with security.

Still gives his credit/debit card numbers to online stores is the give away.

I am still working in IT security, wrong again.

You are starting to look like George with your fantasies.

[impulse]

Get the phone service.  You'll be glad you did.  It's cheap, 

 

And it'll pay out the first time you're walking down the street and need Google Maps or want to find a nearby attraction and find out what time it opens.  Or want to see if your taxi is about to get delayed 30 minutes in a traffic jam.  Or...

 

I actually bought a pocket router on my last visit to Bangkok, mostly because the hotel wifi was so spotty (but I do stay in cheap hotels).  All in, with a one year unlimited data SIM was 4200 Baht, with 2990 of that being the 12 month data plan.  Well worth it, to me anyway.  The hotel wifi kinda craters when occupancy is high.

 

Edit:  In my mind, the question is whether to buy the plan at the airport, or in one of the zillion shops around town, and which plan to buy.  Someone else will have to chime in to answer that one.  And if you choose the wrong one, you haven't spent much.  Caveat:  wherever you buy the phone plan, they'll need your passport.

 

[jaywalker2]

38 minutes ago, impulse said:

Get the phone service.  You'll be glad you did.  It's cheap, 

 

And it'll pay out the first time you're walking down the street and need Google Maps or want to find a nearby attraction and find out what time it opens.  Or want to see if your taxi is about to get delayed 30 minutes in a traffic jam.  Or...

 

I actually bought a pocket router on my last visit to Bangkok, mostly because the hotel wifi was so spotty (but I do stay in cheap hotels).  All in, with a one year unlimited data SIM was 4200 Baht, with 2990 of that being the 12 month data plan.  Well worth it, to me anyway.  The hotel wifi kinda craters when occupancy is high.

 

Edit:  In my mind, the question is whether to buy the plan at the airport, or in one of the zillion shops around town, and which plan to buy.  Someone else will have to chime in to answer that one.  And if you choose the wrong one, you haven't spent much.  Caveat:  wherever you buy the phone plan, they'll need your passport.

 

what speeds were you getting?

[rough diamond]

51 minutes ago, impulse said:

All in, with a one year unlimited data SIM was 4200 Baht, with 2990 of that being the 12 month data plan.

You will be hard pushed to find any one year data SIMs  now and if you do they will be slow/limited and expensive.

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

You will be hard pushed to find any one year data SIMs  now and if you do they will be slow/limited and expensive.

True data SIM, 2200bht, 20mbs 100gb/ month. Doesn't look slow or expensive to me.

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.Fsq1r

[impulse]

1 hour ago, rough diamond said:

You will be hard pushed to find any one year data SIMs  now and if you do they will be slow/limited and expensive.

 

I bought mine less than a month ago.  True.  Unlimited, 15mb/sec and 2990 for 12 months.  For 100gb/ month limit, it was 2290.  I splurged...

 

The kiosk I bought it from (with the router) suggested True.  And it's working great.  I even downloaded some YouTubes on the train to Kanchanaburi in the middle of nowhere, just to try it out.  I didn't expect it to be so effortless while traveling between towers.

 

The OP is looking for a few months so it should be much cheaper.

 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, jaywalker2 said:

what speeds were you getting?

 

I'll let you know when I get to Bangkok tomorrow night.  I didn't actually test it, but I was pleased at the time it took to download a bunch of YouTubes.

 

[jas007]

20 hours ago, Yolando said:

 

Very strange then that you can't produce any evidence that this a threat from any non-biased site that's not trying to sell their crappy software.

How many people do you know who have had their entire bank account drained before they even realized what was happening?  I know a few.  It's no big deal until it happens to you.  And when it happens, it's not funny. 

[ardsong]

have a look at h...s://saily.com/. it is an app that allows frequent travellers to connect to almost all countries phones through the app. no need for a sim in each countries

Not used it myself but heard enthusiast stories of actual users. 

[NedR69]

Just get a sim, I suggest True.  After the account is active, you can tie your Thai number to your iCloud.

[Yolando]

28 minutes ago, jas007 said:

How many people do you know who have had their entire bank account drained before they even realized what was happening?  I know a few.  It's no big deal until it happens to you.  And when it happens, it's not funny. 

I'm sure none of them as a result of using public wifi.  

 

Most of these people are tricked by clicking on a link in an email or fraudulent website and then they give the scammers their password thinking it's their own bank.  It has nothing to do with wifi.

[jas007]

1 hour ago, Yolando said:

I'm sure none of them as a result of using public wifi.  

 

Most of these people are tricked by clicking on a link in an email or fraudulent website and then they give the scammers their password thinking it's their own bank.  It has nothing to do with wifi.

 But it is entirely possible.  Have you not been paying attention here?  Jeez.   It's much simple not to take chances.  

[Yolando]

11 minutes ago, jas007 said:

But it is entirely possible.  Have you not been paying attention here?  Jeez.

No, it's not.  Again, everything sent over wifi is encrypted if you are using https.  It can't be seen or stolen.

 

As long as you are sure the website you are using uses https, and you are sure it is legitimate and not a scam website, there is absolutely zero risk to using public wifi.

 

 

[jas007]

39 minutes ago, Yolando said:

No, it's not.  Again, everything sent over wifi is encrypted if you are using https.  It can't be seen or stolen.

 

As long as you are sure the website you are using uses https, and you are sure it is legitimate and not a scam website, there is absolutely zero risk to using public wifi.

 

 

And therein lies the problem. There are any number of sneaky ways people can be tricked.  Some, fairly sophisticated.

 

Maybe you're the kind of person who doesn't have much of a bank account to drain  Your phone doesn't contain links to your entire life.  Banks, brokerage accounts, friends lists, pictures.  But some of us do, and for me, I have no problem protecting myself.  Sort of like wearing a helmet when I'm on a motorbike.  Maybe I'll be OK. But if I'm not and I  end up smashing my skull all over the street, there are no do overs. 

[FritsSikkink]

1 hour ago, Yolando said:

As long as you are sure the website you are using uses https, and you are sure it is legitimate and not a scam website, there is absolutely zero risk to using public wifi.

 

 

Utter BS

[placnx]

3 hours ago, NedR69 said:

Just get a sim, I suggest True.  After the account is active, you can tie your Thai number to your iCloud.

SIMs are not expensive in Thailand. Also, the OP should download LINE, but maybe he would have to be in the country where his SIM is based. So get a SIM here and then download LINE. It's used by people and businesses for phoning and messaging here. Maybe WhatsApp is similar, but LINE is the choice in Thailand.

[Freddy42OZ]

22 hours ago, rough diamond said:

You will be hard pushed to find any one year data SIMs  now and if you do they will be slow/limited and expensive.

I was paying 1682.24 THB for 6 months of unlimited data at 6Mbps 
 

AIS does one year data sims and I think I'll upgrade to the top package at 2750.00 THB

[IsaanT]

On 3/17/2025 at 12:32 PM, FritsSikkink said:

No, it isn't. You might think you go to the coffeeshop WIFI but hackers can lure you to their system.

If it helps, FritsSikkink evidently knows what he is talking about.  Public wifi is a big hazard.

The best and most convenient approach is to buy a local SIM.

[impulse]

13 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

I was paying 1682.24 THB for 6 months of unlimited data at 6Mbps 
 

AIS does one year data sims and I think I'll upgrade to the top package at 2750.00 THB

 

The ads say they're capped at 50gb or 100gb/ month.  That's a lot for normal users, but could be a problem if you download and/or watch a lot of videos.  The guy at the kiosk that sold me the True SIM warned me that AIS is a limited plan.  Of course, if you want to keep your phone number...

 

 

 

[Hawaiian]

On 3/16/2025 at 7:21 PM, Yolando said:

Man in the middle is when someone creates a fake version of a website.  That would have to be an incredibly sophisticated attack, and a big coincidence that you happen to use the same website they are targeting.....

It only takes one time to get burned.

[Hawaiian]

On 3/16/2025 at 7:39 PM, BritManToo said:

I'm fairly certain my fingerprint is 100% secure, and that's the only information that allows access to my banking apps (and only on my phone).

I don't enter debit card details anywhere, that's old tech, move with the times.

Fairly certain, but not ABSOLUTELY certain.

[Hawaiian]

11 hours ago, IsaanT said:

If it helps, FritsSikkink evidently knows what he is talking about.  Public wifi is a big hazard.

The best and most convenient approach is to buy a local SIM.

Exactly.  Cheap for the safety and peace of mind it buys you.  Being cheap has its consequences.

[gargamon]

You can get by with public wifi, but it's cheap as many have mentioned to get your own sim. I've done both. In my assessment, better to get the sim. You need bolt for a ride you may not have wifi. You want to order something on shopee or Lazada, you need a number. 

[Kevin_Beethoven]

Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for taking time to advise.

 

I decided to buy an AIS 7 day eSim on Amazon.

Use that to get settled in country then pu a new AIS 6 month eSim in Bangkok.

 

https://a.co/d/fAL4gq4