Proper Written Format For Phone Numbers In Thailand, And Other Phone Questions

[DocHolliday2006]

Hey guys.

I'm wondering what the proper written format for phone numbers in Thailand is.

For instace, how would you write out 6653211234 in terms of dashes, spaces, etc.

Also, can you identify which numbers are the country and area codes?

It seems like some numbers I've seen have 7 digits while others have 8 or 10. I'm assuming the smaller numbers are lacking area codes and country codes?

Do you always need to dial the country code and area code when making a call?

Thanks for your time.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Not sure there is a "proper" format for writing out numbers.

In the example you have given (which I've changed to something fictitious) - I would write +66 5321 1234

Some people may even show this as +66 (0) 5321 1234. Really its all arbitrary and depends on the person.

For within Thailand, you can just write 053 211234

+66 is the country code for Thailand

List of Thailand area codes

It seems like some numbers I've seen have 7 digits while others have 8 or 10. I'm assuming the smaller numbers are lacking area codes and country codes?

Couldn't say without seeing the numbers to be honest.

Do you always need to dial the country code and area code when making a call?

Depends where you are. If you're in Thailand, then obviously not. Only need to dial the area code and number.

If you're outside Thailand, you need to dial everything including the country code.

On a mobile its easier though - store any number as +66 XXX XXX XXX and no matter where you dial from it will work it out.

And so endeth the lesson on telephones 101

[noise]

I personally separate area codes and use a dash in the actual cell phone numbers but not in land phone numbers and adjust for my audience, in Thailand or out.

So SeaVisionBurma's land phone number +66 5321 1234 I would send to my US friends as +66-53-211234 (what they would dial) and my local friends as 053-211234 (what they would dial).

Cell phone numbers would show up as +66-89-211-2345 outside of Thailand and 089-211-2345 for inside Thailand use.

Why use those dashes in that manner? Makes it easier for me to remember the numbers. Does it help others? Don't know; no one has commented.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

For local calls: 02-xxx-xxxx

Which used to be: xxx-xxxx

Which used to be: xxxx-xxx

Which used to be: xx-xxx or just run together as: xxxxx

Also wondering what happened to an earlier way of saying the #2. These days it's just "song," but a few years back it was quite common to hear "toh."

Mac

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Not sure there is a "proper" format for writing out numbers.

......

Some people may even show this as +66 (0) 5321 1234.

There is indeed a proper, international format and that one is it.

+ indicates "your operator's international exit code"

followed by the country code

followed by (in brackets) the digit that indicates a national call (national destination number, if any) and which has to be added back in when dialling from the same country without the international code

followed by the subscriber number (which may include an area code), ideally separated into short groups.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.164 gives the thrilling details, with links that cover the other aspects of this.

On a mobile its easier though - store any number as +66 XXX XXX XXX and no matter where you dial from it will work it out.

Actually it's even better than that. Dial any number in that format from any phone (landline, mobile, VOIP) and you should be connected, even if you are calling the house next door.

[KhunBENQ]

Also wondering what happened to an earlier way of saying the #2. These days it's just "song," but a few years back it was quite common to hear "toh."

Must be quite a while ago.

I never heard that until I stumbled upon a WiKi article on police ranks, where "ek", "tho", "tri" are still alive:

พลตำรวจเอก - Police General (phon tamruat ek)

พลตำรวจโท - Police Lieutenant General (phon tamruat tho)

พลตำรวจตรี- Police Major General (phon tamruat tri)

Dictionary says that เอก,โท and ตรี are Pali numerals, so kind of "bourgeois" language.