Thailand - a few more details: phones, and driving map
 

Good afternoon

Pulling all of my info together...

I would like to get a SIM for my Motorola Android phone. That worked so well in Paris - I was able to use data extensively without racking up huge bills.

Any recommendations for buying a SIM card in Thailand? I am more interested in data than phone calls, although texting and phone calls would be good too - but data is the most important thing.

Also re; a driving map of the Mae Hong Son loop - any suggestions for where to buy one, and, the best kind to buy?

Thank you.

This is proably the best map of the loop and it's free http://www.budget.co.th/images/world...ss_mae_eng.pdf

Thank you - got that and it's in the queue to print!

If you have a smartphone, then Google Maps will serve you better than most hard copies. And you can print out maps in advance from the same, if you don't like using your phone for navigation or want to supplement it, in case of trouble.

Used my iPad this last trip. It worked well. I have a map we bought for the first trip and never used it. Also printed off the map crellston linked to and never even looked at it-it's that simple getting around.

I use a SIM card from ais, located on the fourth floor of Siam paragon. They have multiple location. Very helpful staff.

Google maps are great - they have voice directions in most of Thailand. There are also a couple of FREE Android maps - Navigator and OSM - both have voice - OSM covers Laos with voice too.

most native printed maps of Thailand lead a lot to be desired - but then I grew up on Ordnance Survey - so they have a lot to live up to.

Hobo Maps http://www.hobomaps.com - do some GREAT local maps of Northern Thailand and Laos. ...as do "RideAsia" - http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/forum.php.

SIM cards with data are available for all the main service providers. I use AIS - 12Call prepay who have a plethora of 3G data packages. They are sold by download quantity - e.g 500 mb to about 10 GB - most packages last for up to a month or end of capacity, whichever comes first - most then switch to "unlimited" on 2 G.

There are so many packages it ca be difficult to choose.
DTac, AIS and True all now have £G throughout most of the country....you might want to check their mps to see if your intended regions are covered.