Why are DTAC asking for passport?

[scubascuba3]

I just went to the DTAC desk at Big C Extra, Pattaya, and she said I needed to change SIM but to do thAt I needed to provide passport, any idea why that would be? She couldn't explain properly. It was just a PAYG 3G monthly data for 399+VAT. I'm just wondering why a passport is needed? New army thing maybe?

Ideally don't move this thread straight away to a specific thread until people have a chance to read it.Thanks

[RolandRat]

Another lazy sod who cant be arsed to post in the correct forum ......TELECOM

[scubascuba3]

Another lazy sod who cant be arsed to post in the correct forum ......TELECOM

Not quite, who the hell looks in Telecom, most people look in general, look at the stats, obvious?

[Kaalle]

I was asked for a passport when buying a sim card a couple of years ago in Cambodia of all places. Stupid routine in any country.

[mesquite]

Re: Cambodia, the Big Luck Hotel was bombed years ago and that's when they started requiring ID for SIM cards, because they were unable to trace the cell phone call that warned of the bomb.

Thailand said many years ago they would require ID for all SIM cards, but never followed up. Maybe they are following up now.

IMHO the days of anonymity are slowly coming to an end.

[wooloomooloo]

I purchased a Nano SIM from DTAC a few weeks ago and asked for ID. Too late, the package was already open and the bill settled. I didn't have my passport on me and my wife had left her purse at home. Oh well, was the reply, and off we went.

Purchased a sofa bed from Index last week and was also asked for ID. My wife duly presented her Thai ID card.

It's just the way it is here. TIT.

[jpinx]

Dtac hand them out free to arriving passengers at the airport -- no passport or money required

[mesquite]

I purchased a Nano SIM from DTAC a few weeks ago and asked for ID. Too late, the package was already open and the bill settled. I didn't have my passport on me and my wife had left her purse at home. Oh well, was the reply, and off we went.

Purchased a sofa bed from Index last week and was also asked for ID. My wife duly presented her Thai ID card.

It's just the way it is here. TIT.

When the massage girls start requiring ID I'm going to be nervous.

[NanLaew]

It's a security thing but the implementation has been rather scatter gun. I have had my pre-paid AIS SIM for about 8 years and only a few months ago when talking with their Customer Service about a data package, they said I would need to upgrade the SIM for the faster network at one of their shops. She also said that I would need to register the SIM and to bring my passport. When I went to the shop a few days later to get the SIM upgrade, I asked the girl if she needed to see my passport and she said not really necessary but she took it anyway and I assume entered my details on the account.

Don't AIS, DTAC et al need some sort of ID if you are replacing a SIM? I have had a bad SIM replaced without proof of ownership and just the dead SIM in my hand. What if your SIM is stolen? Can you get a replacement without proving who you are?

Malaysia has required ID or passport to be linked with a SIM purchase for quite a while and it is enforced.

The freebie DTAC SIM is handed out to certain arriving flights and if I recall, there's a 'use by' date on the packaging. Whether that means register on the network and keep it topped up and it will last forever or means it will totally expire on that date regardless of usage or balance is unclear.

[jpinx]

It's a security thing but the implementation has been rather scatter gun. I have had my pre-paid AIS SIM for about 8 years and only a few months ago when talking with their Customer Service about a data package, they said I would need to upgrade the SIM for the faster network at one of their shops. She also said that I would need to register the SIM and to bring my passport. When I went to the shop a few days later to get the SIM upgrade, I asked the girl if she needed to see my passport and she said not really necessary but she took it anyway and I assume entered my details on the account.

Don't AIS, DTAC et al need some sort of ID if you are replacing a SIM? I have had a bad SIM replaced without proof of ownership and just the dead SIM in my hand. What if your SIM is stolen? Can you get a replacement without proving who you are?

Malaysia has required ID or passport to be linked with a SIM purchase for quite a while and it is enforced.

The freebie DTAC SIM is handed out to certain arriving flights and if I recall, there's a 'use by' date on the packaging. Whether that means register on the network and keep it topped up and it will last forever or means it will totally expire on that date regardless of usage or balance is unclear.

Yep -- top it up within 3 months and keep it in use it'll be good forever. Latest type of sim too Nice to get a new number every time I come back

[scubascuba3]

It's a security thing but the implementation has been rather scatter gun. I have had my pre-paid AIS SIM for about 8 years and only a few months ago when talking with their Customer Service about a data package, they said I would need to upgrade the SIM for the faster network at one of their shops. She also said that I would need to register the SIM and to bring my passport. When I went to the shop a few days later to get the SIM upgrade, I asked the girl if she needed to see my passport and she said not really necessary but she took it anyway and I assume entered my details on the account.

Don't AIS, DTAC et al need some sort of ID if you are replacing a SIM? I have had a bad SIM replaced without proof of ownership and just the dead SIM in my hand. What if your SIM is stolen? Can you get a replacement without proving who you are?

Malaysia has required ID or passport to be linked with a SIM purchase for quite a while and it is enforced.

The freebie DTAC SIM is handed out to certain arriving flights and if I recall, there's a 'use by' date on the packaging. Whether that means register on the network and keep it topped up and it will last forever or means it will totally expire on that date regardless of usage or balance is unclear.

This sounds similar to me. I went to the DTAC shop a few weeks ago to get a SIM and there was no need for passport,today I went back and spoke to the girl a foot away from the previous girl and suddenly a passport was required. Strange but as you say TIT.

[lazygourmet]

There is one advantage by giving your details to DTAC for a pre-paid card ; if one day you lose your phone, they will block the sim card and will issue a new one with the same number.

[johnnynmonic]

There is one advantage by giving your details to DTAC for a pre-paid card ; if one day you lose your phone, they will block the sim card and will issue a new one with the same number.

^This. Saved me several times, got my number right back with a trip to a DTAC shop. Actually, wasn't even in my name, a Thai friend registered it for for me in their name once about ten years ago; when they were saying all numbers needed to be registered (a push that lasted a couple months).

[ThaiSanookGuy]

Another lazy sod who cant be arsed to post in the correct forum ......TELECOM

Posting in the correct forum is the most stupid thing that only brainless people do because of course less people will see the post and I do not care this forum SEO, if they want it in the correct forum they move it but at least more people will see it first !

[NE1]

Thaksin Shinawatra implemented this , everybody with a sim card had to register it , this was to try and stop the bombings down South as they were using telephones to set the remote bombs off.

[kickstart]

There is one advantage by giving your details to DTAC for a pre-paid card ; if one day you lose your phone, they will block the sim card and will issue a new one with the same number.

.

I have succeeded in losing 2 phones over the years ,I just went to our local AIS center ,told them the number,had to give them 2 other numbers I reguey use,for a cross reference,and they gave a new sim + I got my lost credit back,I just gave them my name and address,no charge.

My wife lost her phone and did want a new number,so I went to DETAC, same as above,got the old number back.again no charge.had to give them her Thai ID card.

My number was registered under the Tucksin scheme, but the wifes was not,newer number

[salavan]

I purchased a Nano SIM from DTAC a few weeks ago and asked for ID. Too late, the package was already open and the bill settled. I didn't have my passport on me and my wife had left her purse at home. Oh well, was the reply, and off we went.

Purchased a sofa bed from Index last week and was also asked for ID. My wife duly presented her Thai ID card.

It's just the way it is here. TIT.

if any shop assistant ask me for id to buy a sofa bed i would tell them where to stick their sofa bed and shop somewhere else

[wooloomooloo]

Up to you.