| Author |
Message |
    
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1494
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 12:05 pm: | 
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Any suggestions for a good provider for Thailand? We have generally just gotten one through Verizon, but their coverage map for the north (Chiang Mai) looks sketchy. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1508
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 7:18 pm: |
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I had no problem with T Mobile. Is it really necessary? You are getting away from it all. In case of emergency anyone can reach you at the hotel. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1501
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 9:32 pm: |
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I know, I know...just a comfort level - leaving the kids at home & we want them to be able to reach us without having to leave a message first - we have just always done it. We don't give the number out to anyone else & it doesn't get abused, so we do it. |
Boomie
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 355
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 9:54 pm: |
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Use an international calling card no? |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1509
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 10:01 am: |
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Even if the coverage map looks sketchy it is more than likely fine. Cell service in the rest of the world is a million times better than in this country. I've never not had a signal - even in remote parts of Africa and India. Now my house here in Maplewood is another story.... |
Stevie
Citizen
Username: Rodman
Post Number: 35
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 3:57 pm: |
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We have used WorldRoam a few times to rent international cell phones (mostly for Europe) and have found them reliable www.worldroam.com |
Jason
Citizen
Username: Jason
Post Number: 113
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 7:48 am: |
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The most cost effective way to do this is to get an unlocked GSM cellphone (preferably tri- or quad-band - that way you can pretty much use it anywhere in there world), then get a SIM from one of the local Thai cellphone providers.
GSMWorld.com is a great resource for tracking down local cellphone carriers - here's the page for Thailand:
http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_th.shtml
It shows the coverage maps for the individual providers. A quick eyeball seems to indicate that AIS has broad coverage (although I cannot confirm this from any experience - unfortunately I've never been to Thailand!) You can buy a pre-paid SIM for AIS - with a pre-assigned number that you can give to your family - from eBay for about $20, including some initial call time.
I do this when I go to the UK - the biggest benefit over roaming is that the call charges are considerably cheaper. In fact, in a lot of countries, if you're using a SIM from a local carrier, incoming calls are free, and the outgoing ones are reasonable - I think I pay about 20-30c/minute for calls to the US from the UK on my pay-as-you-go SIM.
Jason |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1518
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 8:57 am: |
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Thanks all - very helpful info
Jason - will look into this. I saw some providers saying incoming calls are free - but there would still be big charges on my home long distance bill, no? thanks |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7999
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 11:42 am: |
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If you don't get the cell phone, switch your long distance carrier plan just for the month. Get one of those flat rate & .10c per minute to whatever country plans. When you get home, switch it back. I've done both (rental cell and switch plan). I prefer the cell, but both work very well. They can call your hotel room directly with the plan. Does the hotel have room VM? |
Jason
Citizen
Username: Jason
Post Number: 114
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 1:27 pm: |
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doulamomma - I use a 'dial-around' long distance service when I call friends and family back in Europe - www.onesuite.com. I just looked up their rates for Thailand - it is about 10.5c/minute to call Thai cellphones on their service.
Jason |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1511
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 5:50 pm: |
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Just remember you will be on an almost completely reversed clock. You won't want family calling in the middle of the night - what about just setting times before you leave that they will call you in your room. From Asia I've always found 7-8 AM or PM to be the most realistic times - waking up or bedtime for the kids. If you do want to go with Jason's idea I recently upgraded my phone so have a GSM phone you can borrow (it even has the right charger if I can find it). |
davidbuckley
Citizen
Username: Davidbuckley
Post Number: 651
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 9:18 pm: |
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Hi and HAGTIA (!)
I use www.TravelCell.com in Europe for cell rental; site is easy to nav and get rates; check for Thailand.
I would also strongly consider the use of the unlocked gsm phone with prepaid sim, generous of eliz--take her up on it! If leery re sim purchase here (I might be) buy there.
Let us know what you do and how it works.
BTW, Thai basil is totally different and wonderful as you probably know! Have a cold Singha for me.
Be well,
David |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1523
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 10:52 am: |
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Eliz,
That would be great - would love to borrow it if you're serious, but feel free to reconsider - that's very generous! Will certainly bring you (& dbuckley) some Thai basil or whatever (dbuckley, when is the pesto festo - did I miss it?) you fancy!
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eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1512
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 3:24 pm: |
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No problem - my 8 year old is using it as a prop. I'll email you. |
davidbuckley
Citizen
Username: Davidbuckley
Post Number: 652
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 1:27 pm: |
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DM:
It's always late summer enough so those that grows it can bring it to make it...pesto that is, Genoese gold...!
PL me your vitals and I'll make sure you know when.
Can't bring basil home from anywhere, FDA and customs frown on it!
Be well and travel well, all.
David |
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