Moving To Bkk...Phone Contract

[bennydcfc]

Hi guys, new poster here!

I'm moving to Bangkok in August, and I'm just wondering where to look for post-pay SIM cards?

My current contract in the UK is £35 a month, unlimited data, unlimited texts and 600 minutes.

Is it possible to get something similar to this in Thailand?

Thanks in advance!

Benny

[lomatopo]

Truemove, AIS and DTAC are the leading providers here. They all offer pre-paid and post-paid packages.

However there are many, many options.

Perhaps if you could provide more details we could narrow the options?

96% of the market here is pre-paid, you usually need a work-permit to get a post-paid plan. I would recommend a pre-paid plan until you've been here a few months and understand your requirements.

How long will you be here? Where in Thailand will you spend the bulk of your time? Will you travel to different parts of Thailand? What is the make/model of your phone? Would you be considering getting a new model? What is your monthly budget?

There are some packages (or combinations of packages), both pre-paid and post-paid, which approximate your current plan. They might run 800 - 1,100 baht/month.

[bennydcfc]

Thank you for the reply!

I'll be in Thailand for at least 2 years, I'll be based just outside of Bangkok for the majority of the time (teaching at an international school).

I'm planning to visit different parts of Thailand at the weekend/holidays.

I'll be on just under 70,000baht (not including housing allowance), so I think that 1000baht would be reasonable.

I currently have an iPhone 3Gs, not really planning on getting a new one just yet, so I'm just looking for sim-only deals really.

Cheers!

Benny

[lomatopo]

If Truemove have 3G coverage in your planned living/working location then they may be a good option as your phone support their 3G frequency.

Post-paid --> http://www.truemove.com/iphone/en/price.html

Coverage --> http://www.truemove.com/3g/en/wifi_area_bkk.html

Pre-paid Data --> http://www.truemove.com/en/data-package-volumnbase.htm

Pre-paid SIMs --> http://www.truemove.com/en/prepay-newcustomer-sim.rails

However Truemove are reportedly less than perfect for 100% national coverage (voice, 2G) so AIS/One-2-Call, or DTAC/Happy sometimes make a second choice or can be used as a back-up.

I'd wait until you arrive, maybe go pre-paid for a few months, see where you will be living/working, talk to locals/colleagues, see what your calling patterns are, etc. then make a longer term decision, perhaps going post-paid. Also the mobile situation may be up for a massive re-orientation depending on the election outcome, so maybe no need to rush into a contract?

[balo]

Truemove, AIS and DTAC are the leading providers here. They all offer pre-paid and post-paid packages.

96% of the market here is pre-paid, you usually need a work-permit to get a post-paid plan.

You do not need a work permit to get a post-paid plan with DTAC. Just show them your proof of address and your passport and they will accept it.

I pay around 600 baht every month including a 200 mb data package.

[lomatopo]

Truemove, AIS and DTAC are the leading providers here. They all offer pre-paid and post-paid packages.

96% of the market here is pre-paid, you usually need a work-permit to get a post-paid plan.

You do not need a work permit to get a post-paid plan with DTAC. Just show them your proof of address and your passport and they will accept it.

I pay around 600 baht every month including a 200 mb data package.

Yes, there have been reports of people getting post-paid accounts with DTAC without residency/work permit, hence my qualifier "usually". Some people who have signed a post-paid contract with DTAC have had to supply a credit card, and there have been some reports of overcharges on the credit card. YMMV. My sense is that the OP will be getting a WP and would be able to get a post-paid contract, which in some cases is better than (more cost-effective) a similar pre-paid contract, especially in the case of Truemoves' 3G, iPhone, My Way accounts.

[bennydcfc]

Thanks very much guys, you've all been a great help!

The 'Free Size' package with TrueMove, looks very ideal! Not sure if i'd be able to get that SIM-only though? The 3G is well within where I'll be working and living.

Like you said, think I might go pre-paid for a bit and see how much I use!

[lomatopo]

The 'Free Size' package with TrueMove, looks very ideal! Not sure if i'd be able to get that SIM-only though?

Yes, you can. Provided you have a work-permit, which you will within a few months I'd guess, or maybe have a Thai person get it for you?

You could get a Truemove micro-sim, and go with a pre-paid data plan, and pay as you go on voice and SMS until you have the WP, then transition that to the post-paid Free Size plan.

[bennydcfc]

The 'Free Size' package with TrueMove, looks very ideal! Not sure if i'd be able to get that SIM-only though?

Yes, you can. Provided you have a work-permit, which you will within a few months I'd guess, or maybe have a Thai person get it for you?

You could get a Truemove micro-sim, and go with a pre-paid data plan, and pay as you go on voice and SMS until you have the WP, then transition that to the post-paid Free Size plan.

This is a great help, cheers guys!