Receive PIN in USA while roaming with Thai number?

[Dezmo]

I am in the USA (T-Mobile phone service) and have a Thai number (eSim), and I just keep a simple plan on the Thai number to maintain it until I get back to Thailand.  It is connected to my Bangkok Bank account (app).

However I need to move some money from my Thai bank to my USA bank, and it requires a PIN sent to my Thai number (assume SMS).  (Also need to make other local transfers.)

 

I am trying to get AIS to fix their Android app as some features are NOT working (i.e., Packages) and many complain in the Play store about it.    I wanted to get a short term roaming package so I can then turn on my eSim and get the PIN.

 

But has anyone done this.... used their Thai number (roaming in the USA) and able to get a PIN?

It should work  - in theory 🙂

 

 

[scubascuba3]

Usually you just get a one day roaming package, use data for Internet and away you go, usually there is a code you can use to kick that off, search maybe you'll find it

[Celsius]

 

I use prepaid AIS and have zero balance. I still get a text messages in Canada every time I need to log in where authentication is required.

[Upnotover]

5 hours ago, Dezmo said:

I wanted to get a short term roaming package so I can then turn on my eSim and get the PIN.

You shouldn't need any package to receive SMS's free of charge on your Thai number.  Just turn it on but make sure data is NOT enabled.  And if any call comes, don't answer it!

[mogandave]

I’ve had AIS postpaid service for about 25 years, and I travel to the US regularly, though not in the last few years.

 

AIS has nice region specific travel roaming packages that you can buy through their app. 

 

I usually buy the 30 day package with minimum data and minutes. but I think the have one and five day packages as well. 

 

Do not use it for GPS as the GPS really burn through the data.

[Dezmo]

On 6/9/2025 at 7:40 PM, Upnotover said:

You shouldn't need any package to receive SMS's free of charge on your Thai number.  Just turn it on but make sure data is NOT enabled.  And if any call comes, don't answer it!

My phone is a USA based number and my Thai number is an eSim. T-Mobile locks my eSim and I have to request to unlock it for 30 days.  So while in the USA my eSim does not work and will NOT get an SMS unless I turn on roaming.

 

But some of AIS Android app features are NOT working (i.e., Packages) and many complain in the Play Store about it.   Apparently they had a recent update and it does not seem to be working with Android 15. I have emailed them about it.

 

If they fix it I can ask T-mobile to temp unlock my eSim, turn it on, buy short term roaming and be able to getthe PIN.   I assume, anyway 🙂

 

[richard_smith237]

Ensure you have 'Wifi-Calling' enabled...    (and data roaming off etc)..  you should be able to receive SMS (over Wifi).

 

Thats the way it works for me with True...   ( I get the OTP's - even in areas with zero cell network ).

[Magictoad]

On 6/10/2025 at 12:54 AM, Dezmo said:

I am in the USA (T-Mobile phone service) and have a Thai number (eSim), and I just keep a simple plan on the Thai number to maintain it until I get back to Thailand.  It is connected to my Bangkok Bank account (app).

However I need to move some money from my Thai bank to my USA bank, and it requires a PIN sent to my Thai number (assume SMS).  (Also need to make other local transfers.)

 

I am trying to get AIS to fix their Android app as some features are NOT working (i.e., Packages) and many complain in the Play store about it.    I wanted to get a short term roaming package so I can then turn on my eSim and get the PIN.

 

But has anyone done this.... used their Thai number (roaming in the USA) and able to get a PIN?

It should work  - in theory 🙂

 

 

Have you asked your bank for their advice?

[Upnotover]

10 hours ago, Dezmo said:

My phone is a USA based number and my Thai number is an eSim. T-Mobile locks my eSim and I have to request to unlock it for 30 days.  So while in the USA my eSim does not work and will NOT get an SMS unless I turn on roaming.

 

But some of AIS Android app features are NOT working (i.e., Packages) and many complain in the Play Store about it.   Apparently they had a recent update and it does not seem to be working with Android 15. I have emailed them about it.

 

If they fix it I can ask T-mobile to temp unlock my eSim, turn it on, buy short term roaming and be able to getthe PIN.   I assume, anyway 🙂

 

The point I was making is that phone (not data) roaming costs nothing to receive SMS messages.  You can enable that without having to buy a package of any sort.  If you answer incoming calls you'll be charged, so don't.

[Dezmo]

On 6/11/2025 at 9:34 AM, richard_smith237 said:

Ensure you have 'Wifi-Calling' enabled...    (and data roaming off etc)..  you should be able to receive SMS (over Wifi).

 

Thats the way it works for me with True...   ( I get the OTP's - even in areas with zero cell network ).

I'll ask T-Mobile to unlock the esim again and try ..I did have Wi-Fi calling on ..I don't recall it working last time .  

[richard_smith237]

19 minutes ago, Dezmo said:

I'll ask T-Mobile to unlock the esim again and try ..I did have Wi-Fi calling on ..I don't recall it working last time .  

 

I'm confused ? T-Mobile (USA) lock your Thai-Sim ??   theoretically you could have both on at the same time, no ?

[Dezmo]

27 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I'm confused ? T-Mobile (USA) lock your Thai-Sim ??   theoretically you could have both on at the same time, no ?

When you update your phone and on a payment plan they lock the esim. I can request unlock for 30 days each 

[richard_smith237]

15 minutes ago, Dezmo said:

When you update your phone and on a payment plan they lock the esim. I can request unlock for 30 days each 

 

This is what confuses me...   

 

I can have (I think) up to 8 e-sims on my phone and switch between each as I choose.

 

But... Do T-Mobile own your phone (i.e. is part of your payment plan including the phone and cell/data package on a monthly plan)...  Or do you own the phone and simply have a monthly contract ?

 

i.e. it seems T-Mobile locks your phone to its network only... 

 

[Dezmo]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

This is what confuses me...   

 

I can have (I think) up to 8 e-sims on my phone and switch between each as I choose.

 

But... Do T-Mobile own your phone (i.e. is part of your payment plan including the phone and cell/data package on a monthly plan)...  Or do you own the phone and simply have a monthly contract ?

 

i.e. it seems T-Mobile locks your phone to its network only... 

 

I've been with them since Sprint days.   I  I got a great trade in allowance but still pay a small amount on my phone for 2 years though I'm on a Go plan where I get a new phone every year free so assume next year when I'm out of the payment plan the eSim would be unlocked.   I guess the phone is part of a payment plan and thus not fully owned so locked.

[shdmn]

On 6/9/2025 at 10:54 AM, Dezmo said:

I am in the USA (T-Mobile phone service) and have a Thai number (eSim), and I just keep a simple plan on the Thai number to maintain it until I get back to Thailand.  It is connected to my Bangkok Bank account (app).

However I need to move some money from my Thai bank to my USA bank, and it requires a PIN sent to my Thai number (assume SMS).  (Also need to make other local transfers.)

 

I am trying to get AIS to fix their Android app as some features are NOT working (i.e., Packages) and many complain in the Play store about it.    I wanted to get a short term roaming package so I can then turn on my eSim and get the PIN.

 

But has anyone done this.... used their Thai number (roaming in the USA) and able to get a PIN?

It should work  - in theory 🙂

 

 

There is no need for roaming.  I think even basic AIS pre-pay includes international Wi-Fi calling now. I just used it the other day here in Canada getting an SMS message from my AIS app via my AIS Thai number.  As long as your phone is connected to WiFi and you have WiFi Calling enabled you should be able to receive AIS SMS messages.

[LukKrueng]

On 6/10/2025 at 12:54 AM, Dezmo said:

I am in the USA (T-Mobile phone service) and have a Thai number (eSim), and I just keep a simple plan on the Thai number to maintain it until I get back to Thailand.  It is connected to my Bangkok Bank account (app).

However I need to move some money from my Thai bank to my USA bank, and it requires a PIN sent to my Thai number (assume SMS).  (Also need to make other local transfers.)

 

I am trying to get AIS to fix their Android app as some features are NOT working (i.e., Packages) and many complain in the Play store about it.    I wanted to get a short term roaming package so I can then turn on my eSim and get the PIN.

 

But has anyone done this.... used their Thai number (roaming in the USA) and able to get a PIN?

It should work  - in theory 🙂

 

 

As many have already replied - no need for roaming package in order to receive SMS's. Also, if your phone supports WiFi Calling all you have to do is enable AIS WiFi calling, turn it on and connect to a WiFi network and then as far as AIS is concerned you are in Thailand and can make and accept phone calls as well according to your plan.

[sikishrory]

I've worked all over the world using AIS as my primary number for 13 years. Always get the sms and otps with no roaming package.

No issue as long as you keep the sim valid.

[Dezmo]

Never mind.

I restarted the phone and used only the 66 (with no 0 next) from my USA number and sent an SMS to my Thai number and it was received. THanks!

-----------------------------------

Tmobile unlocked my phone for 30 days.

I have WiFi Calling enabled, and the Thai eSim enabled.  My primary SIM is my Tmobile (USA) sim.

I sent a text to my Thai number using my USA number and my Google voice number and never receive it on my phone.....

I tried both  66+0xxxx and without the 0.

I wonder why I am nto receiving the SMS?

 

Once I did enable the eSim AIS sent me all sorts of messages about packages for roaming, etc. 🙂

[Upnotover]

6 hours ago, Dezmo said:

I tried both  66+0xxxx and without the 0.

It's +66, not 66+. And no 0 required.

[Dezmo]

Just now, Upnotover said:

It's +66, not 66+. And no 0 required.

Mine was a typo..lol