Have been happy with my Dtac sim and rates for last few years as make very few calls/texts either locally or internationally but now have reason to sms and call UK frequently so will buy a cheap dedicated phone and sim for this purpose.

Anyone have information on best/cheapest way of doing this. I would even consider subscription service if that's the best way.

Thanks in advance.

Unless things have changed recently using True to call UK landlines is 1 Baht a minute.....

Unless things have changed recently using True to call UK landlines is 1 Baht a minute.....

It's changed! Although not too much. About 1.5 bht per minute.

Unfortunately has to be to mobiles.

Even with subscription with Dtac to mobiles SMS 5bt each and 7Bt/min call.

Unfortunately has to be to mobiles.

Even with subscription with Dtac to mobiles SMS 5bt each and 7Bt/min call.

Why dont just keep your UK sim in your phone (or spare) and use one of many programmes whereby you send your SMS's via the web free. I never pay for sending texts back to the Uk. Send via the web and receiver just responds as normal. Your UK mobile will receive inbound texts free of charge in Thailand or certainly o2 does....

I send mine using hashblue.com which is o2's programme but their are others for other networks....

I believe Yahoo can send free SMS as well...

That's the sort of lateral thinking I was hoping to encounter. Have done a little research already and looks as though it could be be a real money saving winner.

Many thanks.

Have now found a number of mobile to mobile sms services which are completely free if both sender and receiver are registered users of the app (which suits my purpose) and still relatively inexpensive, only 2.2 Bt, if not.

I'll give Skebby a go first.

http://freesms.skebby.com/

There may be any number of SMS and calling options. However people really need to clarify the application. For example, it may be easy to send an SMS from Thailand to the U.K., but do you want the person who receives it to be able to reply to it, and have that SMS delivered back to your Thai mobile phone?

I would be surprised if one could receive SMSes while roaming in Thailand with a U.K. SIM, but yes, you could probably originate an SMS on a website.

If the SMSes are business critical, and replacement services like WhatsApp! cannot be utilized, then paid SMS service providers like Telemessage may be an option?

For calling, the TrueMove interSIM, or a local calling card (like Dee Dial) may be an option.

For calling/SMS to the U.S. GoogleVoice may be the best option as of today?

There may be any number of SMS and calling options. However people really need to clarify the application. For example, it may be easy to send an SMS from Thailand to the U.K., but do you want the person who receives it to be able to reply to it, and have that SMS delivered back to your Thai mobile phone?

I would be surprised if one could receive SMSes while roaming in Thailand with a U.K. SIM, but yes, you could probably originate an SMS on a website.

If the SMSes are business critical, and replacement services like WhatsApp! cannot be utilized, then paid SMS service providers like Telemessage may be an option?

For calling, the TrueMove interSIM, or a local calling card (like Dee Dial) may be an option.

For calling/SMS to the U.S. GoogleVoice may be the best option as of today?

Why would you want the receiver of the SMS in the UK to respond to your Thai Mobile number (which will cost the sender) when your UK mobile will receive the text free of charge ?? You could even use a 2 Sim mobile if you didn't want 2 phones.

I assure you my o2 sim (non contract) receives inbound texts free of charge all day long. In addition the UK sender does not get charged anything more than standard text rate. If the texts are free anyway or part of an allowance than no matter that the UK sim is sat in Thailand the sender doesn't get charged......

Again I emphasis this is o2 non contract........

o2 programme for free texts is hashblue.com

There is a limit of 50 a day, but I never use more than 10 a day or so.

Whilst we are talking International Texts I use localphone.com which charges 1.8 pence plus Vat from the website for UK to Thai Mobiles.

Because they charge VAT on the credit you purchase to use on the website the true cost is about 2.5 pence all in.

The sub forum know all JJ did come on before with a free programme but it was useless so I stick with the above one. Again obviously the receiver in Thailand just assumes its coming straight from your phone.

Quick update:

Just trialed http://www.talksms.c...at/1.aspx/K393J

They don't reveal their prices until you've created an account so I did.

It's a monthly subscription service for which you pay up front for the allowance of 5, 10, 30 or 50 SMSs per day pay.

Whichever allowance you sign up for the price per SMS is the same, 0.7Bt. I think that's pretty good if you know you'll be sending messages on a daily basis.

Quick update:

Just trialed http://www.talksms.c...at/1.aspx/K393J

They don't reveal their prices until you've created an account so I did.

It's a monthly subscription service for which you pay up front for the allowance of 5, 10, 30 or 50 SMSs per day pay.

Whichever allowance you sign up for the price per SMS is the same, 0.7Bt. I think that's pretty good if you know you'll be sending messages on a daily basis.

Yes good a Programme as any......

Years ago Thaivisa had a decent Programme here on the site but it disappeared for some reason ??

Never did get an answer why...??

Quick update:

Just trialed http://www.talksms.c...at/1.aspx/K393J

They don't reveal their prices until you've created an account so I did.

It's a monthly subscription service for which you pay up front for the allowance of 5, 10, 30 or 50 SMSs per day pay.

Whichever allowance you sign up for the price per SMS is the same, 0.7Bt. I think that's pretty good if you know you'll be sending messages on a daily basis.

It always helps if people exactly state their requirements. Originating an SMS on a PC is a relatively simple requirement. Making it easy and cost-effective for recipients to reply can be more challenging, and delivering replies to a specific mobile device adds a layer of complexity. I sort of assumed you wanted to originate SMSes from a mobile device, and have replies delivered to said same device.

Many people are using replacement IM apps. like WhatsApp!, Line, etc. for cost-effective (free) mobile-mobile SMS replacement.

I believe my requirements were quite clearly stated in my original post i.e. to obtain information on the cheapest way of sending SMSs to the UK.

As a result of information given by Chivas I looked into other ways of achieving this objective.

Using services like Skebby and Talksms doesn't restrict you to originating from a PC as the services are web based and can therefore be used via a mobile device with returned SMSs being received via the same mobile device.

Your post has now shown me another promising option (WhatsApp etc.) which I shall certainly look into later today. Thanks.