Hi,

My 19yo daughter is in Phuket and just found her mobile is locked to 3 in Aust! Does anyone know if she can buy a cheap phone and prepaid sim pack in Phuket? Desperate to avoid a monster phone bill when she comes home .. Thanks!

Very easy to do - just go to either one of the AIS shops like "Telewiz", "Serenade" or a DTAC shop. I suggest only these two companies, AIS and DTAC, because they have the best coverage for Thailand.

Cheapest unlocked phone from these shops, brand new, cost around 900 Baht. Choose a prepaid plan and bring a copy of her passport and she's set.

Thank you so so much! I will text her right away to do it!

You are welcome Hilmel.

She could alternatively get her phone unlocked - many places offer that service.

To unlock a phone you will wipe out all the data on your phone. If it's a certain type of phone, like the Iphone, by unlocking it and when you go back to your native country it will be blocked, locked or bricked when you try to upgrade the firmware. Buy a new one for 900 Baht!

Another vote for DTAC ... I've had their service for years now and I highly recommend.

I recommend unlocking most phones. Some are now beyond the keen of the average street vendor, but you'll have no problems with most phones.

I'm taking a global Blackberry phone from work. It is a rental from work. Will I be able to text, email and phone for a reasonable amount? I've already arranged to have my Blackberry curve downloaded into this phone and hope we can use it in Thailand.
Thanks!

Yes there are prepaid sim for Blackberry. Google AIS prepaid blackberry sim.

The answer to this is usually, no. Most service providers in US the charge crazy rates for overseas use. There are some plans you can activate that give you better rates. The only way to find out the rates is to call the carrier. Ask about special short-term overseas packages.

The cheapest way to call the US from Thailand (and many other Asian countries) is to get a local sim card and insert it in a cheap phone you buy locally.

http://www.ais.co.th/12call/en/pro-b...y_package.html

Thanks! I may skip taking this phone so I don't risk losing it and end up paying thru the nose for it.
As usual............great info here!

If you run your BB on your home a/c be prepared for some hefty roaming charges.
It is also worth noting that Thailand does not have a 3G network - only in Bkk , Chiang Mai and parts of Chonburi. You'll find the internet very slow indeed.

If you want to unlock your phone - there are plenty of sites on the net with advice on how to do this - specifically for Blackberries too.