a few questions about mobile phones in thailand

[tomtom345]

hi all i will be in thailand very soon and i want to buy a new iphone 5s .

is there a risk that the iphone might be fake if i buy a new one in big c or a mall?

how much it cost for a package of an unlimited amount of time to talk on the phone?

are there any packages that include unkimited internert as well?

how much 1 minute phone call cost without any packages?

how much 1 minute phone call overseas cost?

[muratremix]

There are no fake iphone 5s except replica phones which are plastic but iPhone 5/5s is not plastic (aluminum) so there is no fake.

Buy it from big retailer and ask for VAT refund form before buy it.

[tomtom345]

thx alot muratremix , i don't think i will need the vat refund since i'm coming to thailand to live in thailand permanently.

[muratremix]

In that case consider looking prices at aobmobile.net (in mbk shopping mall) which is a bit cheaper than Thai prices (Consider it getting VAT refund discount when you buy it)

As for mobile network questions, check AIS / TRUE / DTAC for internet package prices. There is no unlimited call, but calls are usually pretty cheap per minute basis.

[build6]

Even if you're here permanently, as long as you're making a flight out from a major airport within 3 months you can claim VAT for it? Why turn down free money. There'd be enough for a couple of beers. A shop that can issue you the VAT refund is also going to be "legit" so you should be able to trust it. You mentioned iPhone so there's probably not much price variation from the big malls also so not so much hunting around necessary.

[build6]

If you're here permanently (you don't say how - work permit?) You might want to consider getting it from one of the three carriers together with a postpaid contract. Should be some savings.

[muratremix]

Even if you're here permanently, as long as you're making a flight out from a major airport within 3 months you can claim VAT for it? Why turn down free money. There'd be enough for a couple of beers. A shop that can issue you the VAT refund is also going to be "legit" so you should be able to trust it. You mentioned iPhone so there's probably not much price variation from the big malls also so not so much hunting around necessary.

I'm here on permanently with Marriage based non-o visa and I take vat refunds before but just to take 1200 baht vat refund of iPhone 5s, it will be too expensive to fly out of Thailand and comeback (Singapore one way is like 3000 baht) and there are no vat refund offices in border, it has to be done via Plane.

[build6]

I'm not saying fly out deliberately just to claim a refund. But what if you're already scheduled to have to make a trip out? Then a few extra minutes gets you a reasonable bit of money.

[tomtom345]

thank you everyone for you're replies.

[muratremix]

I'm not saying fly out deliberately just to claim a refund. But what if you're already scheduled to have to make a trip out? Then a few extra minutes gets you a reasonable bit of money.

He said he's coming here to live permanantly. Besides, aobmobile sells HK imports atleast 1000 baht cheaper so there is your VAT refund when buying it

[ripstanley]

Even if you're here permanently, as long as you're making a flight out from a major airport within 3 months you can claim VAT for it? Why turn down free money. There'd be enough for a couple of beers. A shop that can issue you the VAT refund is also going to be "legit" so you should be able to trust it. You mentioned iPhone so there's probably not much price variation from the big malls also so not so much hunting around necessary.

According to this website it is only 60 days from date of purchase. You also have to obtain a form from the place of purchase.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293915-c125905/Thailand:Reclaiming.Vat.html

[build6]

I'm in Thailand "permanently" but I also make regular flights out. It depends on your job.

[build6]

Yes the shop needs to be equipped to issue the VAT refund form, so only the larger shops (and you need to have your passport on you). And there will be a "handling fee" charged so the refund will be less than the vat amount strictly speaking. But its still money and if you're buying the expensive phones its quite a bit.

The expiry date will be printed on the form.

[build6]

Imports - I'd worry about warranty?

[muratremix]

Imports - I'd worry about warranty?

If Apple product, no. If Samsung and other brands, probably. Apple provides worldwide 1 year warranty for i-products.