I'm arriving in thailand in 2 days,

I have a Verizon S3, i know it doesnt have a SIM Card because its CDMA and doesnt work in thailand for SIM cards.

but I was wondering since it works for hotspots.

can i buy a prepaid wifi hotspot from one of the vendors or would i need to buy a new phone in thailand?

This, is my first time bringing my phone overseas. So, I'm totally clueless.

I would think you could use your device on any/all free/open/paid WiFI networks here.

While it is true that many networks send a passcode via SMS you can buy prepaid services and get a username/passcode at the same time, so no need for SMS.

3BB have a large WiFi presence here, see options #4 or #12: http://wifi.3bbwifi.com/packages_en

True also offer WiFi, their websites are less than accommodating but I think they might also sell similar offers:

http://www.truewifi.net/2011/buy_wifi.htm

http://www.truewifi.net/2011/buy_wifi_truemoney.htm

And finally there are some international aggregators, e.g. Boingo, which offer roaming, probably on one or both of these providers.

I would think you could use your device on any/all free/open/paid WiFI networks here.

While it is true that many networks send a passcode via SMS you can buy prepaid services and get a username/passcode at the same time, so no need for SMS.

3BB have a large WiFi presence here, see options #4 or #12: http://wifi.3bbwifi.com/packages_en

True also offer WiFi, their websites are less than accommodating but I think they might also sell similar offers:

http://www.truewifi.net/2011/buy_wifi.htm

http://www.truewifi.net/2011/buy_wifi_truemoney.htm

And finally there are some international aggregators, e.g. Boingo, which offer roaming, probably on one or both of these providers.

thanks! a great help! will look into this right now.

They have CDMA service providers here. Hook up with one of them and you could use your phone full service. But you would have to get Verizon to unlock the phone first. Good luck with that!

They have CDMA service providers here. Hook up with one of them and you could use your phone full service. But you would have to get Verizon to unlock the phone first. Good luck with that!

Can you give an example?

CAT (nee Hutch) used to operate a CDMA voice network here, but I am not certain that network is currently operational? And while the old Hutch CDMA network did operate on 800 MHz, and the VZ SGS3 supports LTE and 800/1900 CDMA I think the technologies are different: cellular vs. PCS, so I think there's a better chance of seeing airborne porcines.