i dont want to use my new iphone while in thailand in September, and will only really need a phone to arrange to meet up with a friend whos also going, and call home to the UK, but will be doing his own this most of the days we are there (2 weeks), I frequented Thailand 10 years ago and bought a 1-2-call (think it was called that) pay as you go SIM and put it in my old nokia, obviously i cant replace the SIM in my ihpone, so can anyone please recommend me a cheap phone to buy in the UK (Im thinking from ebay) that will take a SIM in thailand when we arrive?

Are the SIM's still standard size, or mini SIM or micro SIM now? Thanks in advance

I'd wait and buy one when you get here. Most big supermarkets will sell you a basic Samsung or Nokia for about 300 baht or so.

Buy a data package 500 700 baht , use viber free calls home , happy days

Just bought my MIL a cheap phone for 1'700 Baht from DTAC, is a smartphone, add a SIM contract for 299 a month (or 399 if you surf loads) and your done.

obviously i cant replace the SIM in my ihpone

Who told you that ?

Iphone SIM's can be replaced. You concern should be whether or not your Iphone is locked to a particular carrier in your home country, if not then just buy a SIM here in Thailand when you arrive

https://support.apple.com/en-is/HT201337

Buy a cheap 3g phone here start at around 900b including sim. Then sign up for the Skype world free one month trial before you come, that will give you free calls back to UK landlines.. Use the hotel Wi-Fi. Sorted.

Thanks guys, not too fussed on being a smartphone or having 3g as will upload pics etc back at the hotel with wifi and only be making the occasional call home, its more to text and call my friend ho im meeting up with out there on the days we're not together, so a cheap and nasty Nokia or Samsung will be fine with credit on it for the 2 weeks.  Will Tukcom be best once I'm in Pattaya?

Should be unlocked: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lebara-KAZAM-Life-B5-2-4-Inch-3G-Mobile-Phone-Black-/351702994899

 

Return it if it isn't.

 

3G makes it more compatible.

 

Though if you can get a compatible 2G in  Thailand for 300 baht as suggested, that would seem the way to go. Can't say that I've see one of those 300 baht phones.

Why cant you just put a local sim in your iphone ?? Exactly what my lad did at the airport in July on his iphone6

Thanks guys, not too fussed on being a smartphone or having 3g as will upload pics etc back at the hotel with wifi and only be making the occasional call home, its more to text and call my friend ho im meeting up with out there on the days we're not together, so a cheap and nasty Nokia or Samsung will be fine with credit on it for the 2 weeks.  Will Tukcom be best once I'm in Pattaya?

Just go to tesco or big c and buy a Samsung hero for a few hundred baht, no need for tukcom. Either that or stick a Thai SIM in your iPhone, if it's unlocked as stated above.