Mobile Numbers Beginning With A "9"

[Nigel1500]

Hello,

I'm recieving SMS from a friend who is travelling through Thailand. I believe he has bought a new pre-paid sim card. The number that appears on my phone is +6690879XXXX. It is the correct LENGTH, but I thought all mobile numbers begin with an "8". I now understand that a limited number have been starting with "9".

Here's my problem: when I click on "reply to SMS" and send a message back to him he never receives it. I've sent about 5-6 over the last 2 days. He has confirmed on email that he received none. He's also confirmed his number with me. Is there a feature with Thai carriers that enables / disables the receiving of SMS?

Cheers

Nigel

[lomatopo]

Which service provider is he using? Which service provider are you using?

What brand/model phone does he have? You?

Can you call him? Can he call you?

Is his telephone number 090 879 NNNN? If so, can you send an SMS to 090 879 NNNN?

I am pretty sure AIS and DTAC sold 090 mobile telephone numbers, perhaps as a white iphone promotion?, but maybe now with the shortage of number they are giving these out to anyone?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/479993-are-09-numbers-now-being-sold/

[bobl]

Maybe you've tried this but in case not...

Assuming you have him in your phone book, try sending a NEW sms to him. DON'T open an sms 'from' him and hit reply. Create a new sms from scratch.

See if that goes through.

Just a hunch. Have seen a similar problem before (can send sms to someone no problem, but can't 'reply' to any of his messages).

[PattayaParent]

Maybe the +66 is causing the problem as that's the international dialing prefix for Thailand yet you are sending locally?

[bobl]

Actually the reverse is true, from my understanding.

I can't speak to the veracity of the information but it is first hand, from an IT guy working at a switch - The SMSC processes SMS deliveries "more efficiently" if the full number is used, including +countrycode. It's certainly not a requirement if you're texting within the same country but it won't do any harm.

Fwiw, it's a good habit to populate your phone book with the full number. Then you don't have to remember or look up the country code, if you happen to be travelling and find yourself not in the same country as who you're trying to speak to...

[rod2011]

Maybe you've tried this but in case not...

Assuming you have him in your phone book, try sending a NEW sms to him. DON'T open an sms 'from' him and hit reply. Create a new sms from scratch.

See if that goes through.

Just a hunch. Have seen a similar problem before (can send sms to someone no problem, but can't 'reply' to any of his messages).

I have that problem with one of my Thai friends but everyone else no problem.

[trunknuk]

09-xxxx-xxxx numbers started going for sale around July 2011 for all carriers.