Registration of SIM cards - what happened?

[AbeSurd]

Unfortunately I've been out of Thailand for most of the last year or more. Can anyone update me please?....

 

A year or two ago there was a big government drive to get everyone in Thailand to register their SIM cards. If I remember correctly there were warnings that your SIM card would be cut off if you didn't register it in time. I was in Thailand at the time and certainly made sure I got mine registered.

 

Was there any fallout from this? After the deadline did thousands and thousands of people lose use of their SIM cards because they failed to register in time?

 

Thanks.

[Gary A]

I duly registered my True SIM card four times and the first three times they shut it off. I registered at the local True shop each time and apparently the guy working there may be a moron. Each call to True showed my card as registered and I was told no problem. Each time they shut off my number. Amazingly enough I went to an AIS shop and they were able to register my True SIM successfully. Remembering that fiasco, I wasn't happy with True and when my True Internet died at home, I went with AIS. I wanted to keep my telephone number and True also made that a big problem. That took two visits to a large True shop in Pattaya to straighten it out.

 

So, yes, they do shut off your SIM card, sometimes even if legally registered.

[AbeSurd]

1 hour ago, Gary A said:

I duly registered my True SIM card four times and the first three times they shut it off. I registered at the local True shop each time and apparently the guy working there may be a moron. Each call to True showed my card as registered and I was told no problem. Each time they shut off my number. Amazingly enough I went to an AIS shop and they were able to register my True SIM successfully. Remembering that fiasco, I wasn't happy with True and when my True Internet died at home, I went with AIS. I wanted to keep my telephone number and True also made that a big problem. That took two visits to a large True shop in Pattaya to straighten it out.

 

So, yes, they do shut off your SIM card, sometimes even if legally registered.

 

Thanks. From what you're saying it sounds like you didn't hear about any shutting off of thousands (millions?) of SIM cards once the goverment deadline had passed.

 

As I recall the government deadline was in June or July 2015?

[AbeSurd]

The deadline was July 31st 2015.

 

"After July 31, 2015, phones which are not registered will still be able to receive incoming calls but will not be able to make outgoing calls, nor use data connections, not send SMS messages to other users."
http://www.thailandguru.com/thailand-sim-card-mobile-phone-number-registration.html

 

As I'm not getting much of a response to my question here, and I haven't read anything in the last year about loads of people after July 31st 2015 getting their phones cut off (or "not be able to make outgoing calls, nor use data connections, not send SMS messages to other users"), I'm inclined to conclude that the deadline came and went and nothing much happened.

[harrry]

You are entitled to conclude what you like but that means nothing.

 

 

Phones not registered no longer work.

[AbeSurd]

2 hours ago, harrry said:

You are entitled to conclude what you like but that means nothing.

 

 

Phones not registered no longer work.

 

OK, so please tell me what happened after July 31st 2015.

[mtls2005]

My sense is that everyone who knew about it registered.

 

Those who didn't had service terminated, but could get it restored with registration during some grace period.

 

Others probably just got new SIMs (and registered them).

 

Those outside the country, who knows? Some lost the number, others got it restored with registration

 

I don't recall any "fall-out".

 

We went through a similar exercise circa 2006.

[Gary A]

10 hours ago, AbeSurd said:

 

OK, so please tell me what happened after July 31st 2015.

 Exactly what would you like to know? SIM cards that were not registered simply no longer worked. Not an earth shaking development. You registered your SIM or it was useless.

[mtls2005]

And...

 

If you had not registered yet, there was a spoken reminder played every time you made a call, which reminded you that you needed to register your SIM.

 

Very hard to miss, unless you were out of the country and not otherwise using the SIM.

[AbeSurd]

Thanks everyone. Thanks to your posts I now have an idea of what happened.

 

As I suggested in my OP, I was in Thailand early in 2015 and was able to register my SIM. But I was out of the country when the deadline came around.

 

I also registered my SIM in 2006. That was early days for me in Thailand but I got the impression it was all very half-hearted back then and many people didn't bother registering. And if they didn't register it was no big deal. I may be wrong.

 

I'm partly interested in this because of these latest tales of tracking SIMs for tourists/expats etc.

 

From what you're saying, when it comes to telecommunications, it seems the military can crack the whip effectively if they really want to.

[AbeSurd]

5 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

And...

 

If you had not registered yet, there was a spoken reminder played every time you made a call, which reminded you that you needed to register your SIM.

 

Very hard to miss, unless you were out of the country and not otherwise using the SIM.

 

That's an interesting detail. Thanks.

[gk10002000]

I think many people have plans or SIMS from their home countries so the SIM registration wasn't an issue, just as many tourists come in with their own phones and SIMS

[AbeSurd]

6 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

I think many people have plans or SIMS from their home countries so the SIM registration wasn't an issue, just as many tourists come in with their own phones and SIMS

 

Since myself and everyone I know in Thailand has a pre-paid/pay-as-you-go SIM I hadn't thought about this from the contract/plan angle.

 

So you think only people with pre-paid/pay-as-you-go SIMs had to register?

 

That kind of makes sense - but there again TIT!

[Gary A]

On 8/12/2016 at 2:38 PM, AbeSurd said:

 

Since myself and everyone I know in Thailand has a pre-paid/pay-as-you-go SIM I hadn't thought about this from the contract/plan angle.

 

So you think only people with pre-paid/pay-as-you-go SIMs had to register?

 

That kind of makes sense - but there again TIT!

 

If you have a postpaid SIM, they already have all the information. It is automatically registered.

[sumrit]

On 8/12/2016 at 2:38 PM, AbeSurd said:

 

Since myself and everyone I know in Thailand has a pre-paid/pay-as-you-go SIM I hadn't thought about this from the contract/plan angle.

 

So you think only people with pre-paid/pay-as-you-go SIMs had to register?

 

That kind of makes sense - but there again TIT!

 

All sim cards had/have to be registered. As Gary A said the sim providers already hold the required information with contract sims so they will automatically be registered. With PAYG sims they now have to be registered at point of sale. For PAYG sims that were already in use when the ruling came into effect, as well as the normal media coverage every unregistered sim  card was sent a text message informing them of the new requirements. I believe they were actually sent three messages then there was also a period of a months grace. If the sim was still not registered firstly incoming calls, then all calls were blocked then the sim was turned off. My daughter tells me that even are the initial grace period are further period was allowed to enable people to register the sim and recover/use any existing credit they had. 

 

My daughter and her school friends had PAYG sim cards in use from all the suppliers and used whichever companies card had the best promotion at any one time. When they needed to be registered a rumor went round the school at the time that the Government were going to monitor all multiple card holders so they only registered one sim card each. That was the end of them taking full advantage of the various promotions on offer. 

[Arandora]

On 8/12/2016 at 8:38 AM, AbeSurd said:

 

Since myself and everyone I know in Thailand has a pre-paid/pay-as-you-go SIM I hadn't thought about this from the contract/plan angle.

 

So you think only people with pre-paid/pay-as-you-go SIMs had to register?

 

That kind of makes sense - but there again TIT!

I am a once a year visitor from the UK staying 4-5 months every year and have been using an AIS 12Call Sim for about 10 years now and using a monthly data plan and topping up for calls during our stay, ensuring that when I left the card was still valid for my return. Nevertheless when the Registration Scheme was announced first in February 2015 I had to register the card before the first deadline even though the card was still valid by virtue of previous top ups and even though AIS had my details. Because of lack of suitable response or perhaps the initial deadline had been too tight, the registration was extended to 31st July 2015 and I've not seen or read anything to suggest that it was ignored or if so whether a small or huge number of people have had their cards cancelled. If they did it was their own fault (except where there were bungling shop/mobile company assistants as reported earlier) as they had two chances. 

[CHRISTIANa9]

My dtac still working as of 16 aug. Got it sometime end of last year. No registration.

[AbeSurd]

11 minutes ago, CHRISTIANa9 said:

My dtac still working as of 16 aug. Got it sometime end of last year. No registration.

 

Is it pay-as-you-go or prepaid/contract?

[mtls2005]

a rumor went round the school at the time that the Government were going to monitor all multiple card holders so they only registered one sim card each.

 

As you say, just a rumor. I have registered at least 12 different SIMs, all are still active. I think there are ~ 115 million SIMs currently registered here.

 

My dtac still working as of 16 aug. Got it sometime end of last year. No registration.

 

"Got it" meaning what exactly? You found it on the footpath? Bought it at a night market?

 

Most sales outlets require some sort of ID, they may even use an android/iphone app (NBTC 2-shot) to snap a picture of your ID, and the SIM package, which uploads to the service provider and regulator. I suspect it was registered when you bought it, but if you're asking if the system is fool-proof, my guess would be No, it is not. But my sense is that your SIM does show as "registered" in the various service provider and regulator systems. Does it have your exact details associated with it? Who knows. You shouldn't be able to make or receive calls if it is not registered.

 

You can use the following USSD code to check: *102*08XXXXXXXX*9# SEND, just fill in your number.

 

Edited August 23, 2016 by mtls2005

[Acharn]

On 8/10/2016 at 11:10 PM, harrry said:

You are entitled to conclude what you like but that means nothing.

 

 

Phones not registered no longer work.

I suppose you're right, but I don't know, because I registered mine and everyone I know registered theirs. Apparently the OP has not had a problem with his. I don't know of anyone whose phone stopped working because they failed to register.

[Autonuaq]

suggest you catch up the reading from where you left the country and see a lot have changed.

like the TM 28 and TM 30, the overstay policy 

the immigration 90 day stay questions and a few other things.

not only the simm card

and more things that are probably forgotten.

 

[farcanell]

I duly registered mine... And it got cut off anyway.

 

one day I will have to re register it, but in the meantime, I just use the wife's phone.... Much more peaceful.

[AbeSurd]

10 minutes ago, Autonuaq said:

suggest you catch up the reading from where you left the country and see a lot have changed.

like the TM 28 and TM 30, the overstay policy 

the immigration 90 day stay questions and a few other things.

not only the simm card

and more things that are probably forgotten.

 

 

I know about all that stuff because there's been a lot of discussion about it on ThaiVisa.

 

But I didn't see anything on ThaiVisa after July 31st 2015 to say what the result of the SIM registration drive had been.

 

Hence this thread.

[craftyone]

7 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

a rumor went round the school at the time that the Government were going to monitor all multiple card holders so they only registered one sim card each.

 

As you say, just a rumor. I have registered at least 12 different SIMs, all are still active. I think there are ~ 115 million SIMs currently registered here.

 

My dtac still working as of 16 aug. Got it sometime end of last year. No registration.

 

"Got it" meaning what exactly? You found it on the footpath? Bought it at a night market?

 

Most sales outlets require some sort of ID, they may even use an android/iphone app (NBTC 2-shot) to snap a picture of your ID, and the SIM package, which uploads to the service provider and regulator. I suspect it was registered when you bought it, but if you're asking if the system is fool-proof, my guess would be No, it is not. But my sense is that your SIM does show as "registered" in the various service provider and regulator systems. Does it have your exact details associated with it? Who knows. You shouldn't be able to make or receive calls if it is not registered.

 

You can use the following USSD code to check: *102*08XXXXXXXX*9# SEND, just fill in your number.

 

 

Same here.

Unregistered pre-paid DTAC SIM purchased at Suvarnabhumi June 2016.  

No ID shown.

 

Is it registered?  

As you said, who knows.

But I topped up for the third time yesterday and it's still working.

Edited August 23, 2016 by craftyone
spelling

[AbeSurd]

7 hours ago, AbeSurd said:

 

Is it pay-as-you-go or prepaid/contract?

 

Sorry, stupid question. The question should've been...

 

Is it prepaid/pay-as-you-go or contract?

[AbeSurd]

9 minutes ago, craftyone said:

 

Same here.

Unregistered pre-paid DTAC SIM purchased at Suvarnabhumi June 2016.  

No ID shown.

 

Is it registered?  

As you said, who knows.

But I topped up for the third time yesterday and it's still working.

 

Interesting. Did you pay cash for it?

 

I wonder if you'll start getting warning text messages soon?

[craftyone]

23 minutes ago, AbeSurd said:

 

Interesting. Did you pay cash for it?

 

I wonder if you'll start getting warning text messages soon?

 

Cash

 

I guess I should also add that particular location (Suvarnabhumi) will be scanning passports VERY soon as a result of a very recent "come-to-jesus" meeting with DTAC corporate via gov.

 

Initially didn't want to go into great detail over this as my friend works for DTAC.

Edited August 23, 2016 by craftyone
TMI

[lucifer666]

I registered both my Sims and all i got was more spam sms messages in English. My French neighbour registered his and guess what ?, yep, more spam sms messages in French. The whole idea was probably designed, just so they could spam you in your native language.

[mtls2005]

"Unregistered pre-paid DTAC SIM purchased at Suvarnabhumi June 2016."  

 

You purchased this at the DTAC shop on level 2, outside Customs? They didn't ask for your passport? Or your TM.8 (Departure Card)? I haven't observed their process at SBIA/BKK, but maybe they scan your TM.8 barcode, along with the SIM packaging barcode to speed up the process?

 

If it's working it's "registered", to whom in your case I''m not sure.

 

If it's not registered you may be able to receive calls, but you should not be able to make calls, and you should hear an IVR response (maybe in Thai only?).

 

 

What is the reply to *102*08XXXXXXXX*9# SEND ? It should return a message like "08XXXXXXXXX is a number within the dtac TriNet network"

 

Post-paid (aka contract) accounts/SIMs are by their nature registered, with a name, thai id/foreign passport, billing address, account number, etc. I don't remember having to separately "register" my post-paid SIM/account/number?

 

 

Initially didn't want to go into great detail over this as my friend works for DTAC.

 

OK, now I'm confused my all the crypticness of your posts. Maybe your "friend" registered the SIM in their name? I seriously doubt that DTAC is fudging the registration process, especially for tourists at their airport kiosk.

 

 

"I registered both my Sims and all i got was more spam sms messages in English. My French neighbour registered his and guess what ?, yep, more spam sms messages in French. The whole idea was probably designed, just so they could spam you in your native language."

 

This doesn't really make much sense? They already had your number. Who is spamming you? If the service provider contact them to stop it. If a 3rd party ask them to stop.

 

Have registered ~ 12 SIMs, no spam. 

 

 

I think the original SIM registration date was extended from 31 July 2015 to 31 August 2015 in order to accommodate the millions of users who might have not got around to registering their SIMs?

Edited August 24, 2016 by mtls2005

[craftyone]

7 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

"Unregistered pre-paid DTAC SIM purchased at Suvarnabhumi June 2016."  

 

You purchased this at the DTAC shop on level 2, outside Customs? They didn't ask for your passport? Or your TM.8 (Departure Card)? I haven't observed their process at SBIA/BKK, but maybe they scan your TM.8 barcode, along with the SIM packaging barcode to speed up the process?

 

If it's working it's "registered", to whom in your case I''m not sure.

 

If it's not registered you may be able to receive calls, but you should not be able to make calls, and you should hear an IVR response (maybe in Thai only?).

 

 

What is the reply to *102*08XXXXXXXX*9# SEND ? It should return a message like "08XXXXXXXXX is a number within the dtac TriNet network"

 

Post-paid (aka contract) accounts/SIMs are by their nature registered, with a name, thai id/foreign passport, billing address, account number, etc. I don't remember having to separately "register" my post-paid SIM/account/number?

 

 

Initially didn't want to go into great detail over this as my friend works for DTAC.

 

OK, now I'm confused my all the crypticness of your posts. Maybe your "friend" registered the SIM in their name? I seriously doubt that DTAC is fudging the registration process, especially for tourists at their airport kiosk.

 

 

"I registered both my Sims and all i got was more spam sms messages in English. My French neighbour registered his and guess what ?, yep, more spam sms messages in French. The whole idea was probably designed, just so they could spam you in your native language."

 

This doesn't really make much sense? They already had your number. Who is spamming you? If the service provider contact them to stop it. If a 3rd party ask them to stop.

 

Have registered ~ 12 SIMs, no spam. 

 

 

I think the original SIM registration date was extended from 31 July 2015 to 31 August 2015 in order to accommodate the millions of users who might have not got around to registering their SIMs?

 

That is correct.  Level 2, DTAC kiosk directly outside Customs. 

No ID / no departure card handed over during process.

Was asked which package, I handed cash, unlocked my phone, took off the case and handed it over.

Phone handed back shortly thereafter and I'm on my way.

Have received and made many calls over past 2+ months.

The only messages I receive are when my credit is low or when I've exceeded the data plan limits thus reducing my speed.

Yep, the return reply confirms the phone is indeed in DTAC's network.

Friend was never a part of the process at DTAC Suvarnabhumi as they work downtown at main office.

Mentioned this thread to them and they confirmed that the location I visited has never had any system to scan passports, cards or otherwise but they were in the process of installing said machine there soon.

Maybe what happened to me was random or somehow the guy did register my phone legally somehow, but I can definitely say without a doubt that I never handed them anything that identified myself to them during the process. 

I can confirm only that this was my experience with DTAC, as my previous prepaid SIM's with AIS and True were indeed registered to my name.