Kristina

Hi-
I'm planning to buy a Quad band phone before I go to BKK and Siem Reap in December.

I was wondering if it's possible to buy a SIM card in BKK that will allow me to make calls while I'm in SR?

I'm also planning on going to Vietnam in summer of '08, so it would be useful if I could use it there as well.

Any recommendations as to a specific card to buy (and where!) and how it works with roaming, etc?

Thanks!

Kristina

Come on!
One of you Fodorites must know the answer to this!

Hanuman

You can buy a Sim card with international roaming in Thailand but I think it will be expensive to use in Vietnam and Cambodia. It will be cheaper if you use a sim card for the country that you are in i.e. A Thai card for Thailand, a Vietnamese card for Vietnam etc.

For Thailand try AIS, the biggest mobile service provider, and you check the roaming charges if you want to use their card in Cambodia and Vietnam as well.

http://www.ais.co.th/

rhkkmk

han---we may bring a cell phone with us this trip....where is the best place for us to get a thai sim card?? mbk??----as you know near marriott??

i hope we can meet up this year??

bob

send me mail: [email protected]

Hanuman

Bob,

I'm sure you will be able to find a sim card at the mini mall right outside your hotel. If not try any 7 eleven stores, gas station with a mini mart or just ask the concierge at your hotel for the nearest place. No need to go to MBK just for a sim card.

It will be nice to meet you guys and I'll send you an email.

Kristina

Hanuman-

Thanks for the info. Yes, it looks like calls to/from Cambodia are expensive. That website is really complicated. I couldn't figure out how much calls to/from the US would be (from within Thailand)

I was hoping to avoid buying two cards as I will only be in Thailand for 4 days this time, and Cambodia for 4 days. The process is confusing enough for me. ;-)

We will be in Vietnam for probably 2 weeks next year, so I guess I will buy a card there.

Can't I buy a pre-paid SIM at any 7-11 there? Do you have any particular card you would recommend (1-2-go)?

Thanks!

Hanuman

Kristina,

I only have the information for AIS 1-2 Call(not go!) and the rates should be from 7 - 9 Baht per minute to call the USA. The 7 - 9 Baht difference is depended on the access number or the local phone company that you use to call long distant. For example:

If you use 001 or 009 as a prefix then you'll be using the service of CAT(communication authority of Thailand). If you use 007 or 008 then you will be using TOT(telephone organization of Thailand). They compete with each other and therefore the rates will be different.

If you don't want to bother checking the rate then just count on 9 baht per minute and dial 001 1 (USA area code) 555 1212 etc.

There will be no incoming call charges while you use it in Thailand but if you use it Cambodia or Vietnam you will have to pay. To use it in Cambodia or Vietnam, once you have the sim card in your phone call the Call Centre, dial 1175 for 1-2 Call and tell them that you want to activate the international roaming service and yes they have English speaking operators to help you.

Hope this help!

Hanuman

Just found the web page with the international call charges for AIS:

http://www.gsmadvance.ais.co.th/t/se...ate-update.xls

Basically if you dial 001 0r 007 it will cost you 9 Baht/min. 008 = 7 Baht/min and 009 = 5 Baht/min.

Kristina

Hanuman-

Thanks so much! Once again, you go above and beyond!

I will buy the 1-2-call card when I get there. Rates seem reasonable in Thailand.
From what I could tell from their site, it looked to be approx 50b per min within Cambodia. To call Thailand it's over 100b per min. I could not tell how much it would cost me to call the US from Cambodia, but I'm assuming it's as much as Thailand, if not more.

Bisbee

Your 1-2 Call sim card will also work in Vietnam.

Kristina

I found this article which others might also find helpful...

"How to install a Thai SIM card":
http://travelhappy.info/thailand/how...-mobile-phone/

rhkkmk

good info thanks....

bob