Best/Cheapest Calling Card Usa-Thailand ?

[bangkokburning]

Best/Cheapest Calling Card USA-Thailand ?

I have been using Cat Phonenet card for calls from US to Thailand - Cheaper alternative?

DTAC is now just as cheap as CAT if called on 004 so I go with that as long as promos hold.

Thanks

Nice thing though abt the CAT card is that if you only use the card partially, you can use it to call Thailand-USA as well.

[PattayaParent]

Try ZayHi, DeeDial, TookDee

They all have websites with rates published.

[lomatopo]

Do you want to call from the U.S. to Thailand? Or from Thailand to the U.S.? Or both?

If you are currently using the CAT card for calls from the U.S to Thailand what is the rate?

Do you want to originate calls from a mobile? Fixed line? What types of lines are you calling?

When I am in the U.S. and want to call Thailand I use IDPhoneCard, so $0.026/min. (2.6 U.S. Cents) to a mobile or fixed line in Thailand. I use a toll-free access number so no additional charges.

For calling from Thailand to the U.S. it seems like pre-paid calling cards like Dee Dial are pretty good? 1 baht/min., so ~ 3.25 cents/min. (When at home in Thailand I use MagicJack to call the U.S.) I use DTAC/Happy 004 when calling from my mobile to the U.S., so 3.21 baht/min (I think?).

While the long distance transport may be IP, calling cards allow us to originate calls on normal phones (mobile or fixed), and make calls to normal phones.

[bunnydrops]

I have been using Noblecom ( http://www.nobelcom.com ). Can call from any phone or with app from your computer. Different plans to meet you needs. I use the US to Thailand plan (long calls). I haven't used the Thai to US calling card. I call to mobile out in Issan, very clear.

[bangkokburning]

Not sure about the rate from US to Thailand, it was just convenient and the GF wanted to keep in touch with family and job. Nice that the card works both directions. Also like the fact I can get it at Tops or CAT.

Nobel with 4 min rounding (!?) sure its cheap but 4mins! I think she was on the phone < ten mins every call. When I'm in states for a few weeks longer than her, she calls from Thailand to US (as I am assured this is cheaper) we talk about ten mins as well, few times a week.

I was never impressed with Deedial but when it first came out I recall it wasn't so cheap or something that turned me off about it. Never went back for a look.

We are all mobile so magicjack won't work for us.

Thanks, just curious. It's not a big expense. I spend much more calling my folks weekly, I really should look into cutting that expense. Just worried old people have to deal with shonky voip connection. 004 already cuts out sometimes as it is.

[lomatopo]

It looks like the CAT PhoneNET card can be used to call from the U.S. to Thailand, and that the rate is 4.28 baht/min, and the rate from Thailand to the U.S. (fixed or mobile) is 1.07 Baht/min. There are other calling cards which allow for expanded "3rd Country" calling.

http://www.thaitelephone.com/EN/index.php

[bangkokburning]

WOW thanks for that. I need to go back to CAT. Also good to know about the rate to Thai from US. Thanks for that update!

Always knew CAT could be used in US - has directions in the packet (and works well).

That is crazy cheap, less expensive than for me to call from DTAC out to another network (b2) local!

[PattayaParent]

Deedial from Thailand to US is 0.70 Baht per minute, mobile or land line.

[bangkokburning]

Thanks, I just bought a CAT Phone card. About 1B - connection is good and I've used it for years. Guess I am satisfied. Nice thing about it is I can use it in states and use balance here w/o tossing the card for expiry. Also nice that I can charge the whole balance into the phone and not worry about numbers (sure others have).

[lomatopo]

Thanks, I just bought a CAT Phone card. About 1B - connection is good and I've used it for years. Guess I am satisfied. Nice thing about it is I can use it in states and use balance here w/o tossing the card for expiry. Also nice that I can charge the whole balance into the phone and not worry about numbers (sure others have).

Can you elaborate on the expiration date? Is it stamped on the card, or is it 12 moths from first use? Is it easy to re-charge? How is that done? Does recharging extend the expiration date? Are you dialing 1544 for local access or 001-800-8424-2273? Is that free from a mobile phone? And is the toll-free access number in the U.S. reliable?

Finally, what do you mean by, "Also nice that I can charge the whole balance into the phone and not worry about numbers (sure others have)"?

[bangkokburning]

Expiry is on the card. I neer look at it very closely but it is at least a year. You can use it two ways - put all the numbers in each time you call OR register the card# and top up. Top up is easy...1544 + 21 + ############ #

Expiry is for card, I am uncertain about the time in the phone (same). I always use the minutes well up before that. I am dilaing 1544 here and I 1800 from states. It does work well from US I can vouch.

OK, yesterday I bought B300 card and topped up as I described prior. Whole amount goes into the phone, I do not need to carry around a card and enter a bunch of numbers when I want to call.

One draw back - or I am too lazy to figure out is that you cannot speeddial numbers. You have to DIAL 1544 and then the number. I THINK, I recall I dialed 1544 and then 0091######## and it put me into 009 - not phone-net. So rather than trying to figur it all out, I just dial (I only call 3 numbers back USA regulary).

Hope that helps

[bangkokburning]

Another plus for CAT is I don't like buying from all those dodgy sites. Maybe they use Paypal, maybe not. Whatever, just don't trust them with my debit card.

[lomatopo]

OK, so you're saying you can add value to your CAT PhoneNet calling card with your local Thai Banks' ATM/debit card?

Are there other options for adding value?

I think I now understand what you were trying to say re:usage. I think you can register or associate, for example, your mobile phone number with your CAT PhoneNet calling card number so that when you dial 1544 the system 'recognizes' (based on the CPID) you and you do not have to enter your calling card number, you just dial 009 1 213 555 1212.

I still don't understand how you add value, and if adding value affects the expiration date. I should just buy one and mess around with it.

FWIW, DeeDial (only good for Thailand to other countries, including the U.S. {70 satang/min}) they have an impressive array of access capabilities: direct, ring-back and even speed-dial. They have an Android app. as well!