Do you use Special Offers on your Cell Phone Network in Thailand?

[TotallyOz]

Every time I visit Thailand, I use the same sim card and I use the 12Call. If I don't put a "plan" in place on the phone, it sucks up the minutes. However, every company offers many options. For example you can get 199 baht plan that is unlimited from 5AM morning to 5PM evening with 12Call customers. As most that I know use this service, it is pretty good. You can then have your BF or others give you free days and nights. I have gotten about 50 free days of calling in the last month.

 

I can't explain how it works other then you call the call center and order a special. You then get options. I have the BF do this and it always saves me money in the long run.

 

When I get ready to leave LOS, I make sure the plan is cancelled and place 500 baht on the phone and I then get about 1 year extended service. That way I never loose my Thai phone number and since I have too many guys that know my number, I like to make sure it is the same for each trip.

 

Anyone else use these offers? Have other advice to make this cheaper/better?

[ChristianPFC]

I too use 12call, only standard service (I just want to call friends and I don't want to study communication technology, which would be helpful to understand their various and changing calling plans).

 

When I get ready to leave LOS, I make sure the plan is cancelled and place 500 baht on the phone and I then get about 1 year extended service.

 

Do you buy the 500 Baht calling credit in one sum at a phone shop or at the 7/11 (where I found out that they have maxium 100 Baht calling credit, which means I will get 5x100 Baht and have to enter each separately).

 

I did several whining posts about losing my number due to expiry, I don't want to bore you with the details which can be found on the forums.

[Guest]

Call costs have never been a problem for my short trips. Number expiry is, particularly as it's difficult to remember a new number every year.

 

The other interesting question is what's a good tariff for the tourist who might like to down load some data when out & about? [e.g. On line dating & the like]

[firecat69]

Have had the same number with DtTAC for years and like the plan for messages and internet. They are constantly having specials and their English at the call center is pretty good. Also their calls to USA are only 3 baht a minute which I find quite reasonable and the quality excellent.

 

Now if only my Iphone was as good a phone as it is a mini computer, things would be perfect!

[Guest thaiworthy]

I am not a big fan of the cell phone, smart or otherwise. I talk to people to exchange information and get off as quickly as I can. For calls to the US, Skype works for me. The quality is superb. If you have an iphone, I think there is an app for Skype as well, but haven't tried it because I am usually at home at the odd hours I have to be up to make those long-distance calls.

[MrBill]

I think there is an app for Skype as well, but haven't tried it because I am usually at home at the odd hours I have to be up to make those long-distance calls.

 

There's also a Skype app for Android phones.

[MrBill]

Have had the same number with DtTAC for years and like the plan for messages and internet. They are constantly having specials and their English at the call center is pretty good. Also their calls to USA are only 3 baht a minute which I find quite reasonable and the quality excellent.

 

Now if only my Iphone was as good a phone as it is a mini computer, things would be perfect!

When I arrived at BKK I checked out the various tele kiosks. 12Call was mobbed and no queuing process. DTAC had fewer customers but had a special: 299 bht for sim card, 100 bht phone minutes and 7 day unlimited Internet/texting. Call quality has been fine in CM, BKK and Pattaya. Renewal of Internet option for 1 more week 250 bht. I was charged an additional 100 bht for "connect to Internet" even though I was already connected, so I think I might have made a donation to the person who helped me add money to my account. Only downside is that text messages from, DTAC about my account are in Thai only, but hotel staff have happily translated for me when necessary.

[Guest anonone]

Michael.

 

If you don't mind further explaining the extended expiry with 12call, I would be as grateful as Chistianpfc. I did some investigating this trip and found a code to text which extends expiry 30 days for 30 baht( I think...notes not with me now) which was going to be my plan. For 180 baht, I could extend expiry well beyond my next anticipated visit.

 

Is this how you are extending expiry of your 12call Sim card? If not, can you share the wisdom? Thanks.

[Up2u]

I too use 12call, only standard service (I just want to call friends and I don't want to study communication technology, which would be helpful to understand their various and changing calling plans).

 

 

 

Do you buy the 500 Baht calling credit in one sum at a phone shop or at the 7/11 (where I found out that they have maxium 100 Baht calling credit, which means I will get 5x100 Baht and have to enter each separately).

 

.....

 

You can buy 100 or 300 baht calling cards at 7-11.

[Up2u]

Michael.

 

If you don't mind further explaining the extended expiry with 12call, I would be as grateful as Chistianpfc. I did some investigating this trip and found a code to text which extends expiry 30 days for 30 baht( I think...notes not with me now) which was going to be my plan. For 180 baht, I could extend expiry well beyond my next anticipated visit.

 

Is this how you are extending expiry of your 12call Sim card? If not, can you share the wisdom? Thanks.

 

You can also have a Thai friend (or farang) transfer his surplus time to you at no cost to you or him. I believe the transfers are done in 30 days increments.

[TotallyOz]

What I have found is that if you are on a plan for say 200 baht for unlimited calling, you can get your BF to send you a code for another month free. When I am away from Thailand for an extended period of time, I cancel the plan and I do minute by minute. If I do 500 baht, it extends my number for one year. That is usually sufficient for me. When I get back to Thailand, I have the BF call up the phone company and put me back on a good plan.

 

Yes, a bit of work but I like keeping the same number. Just last night, I was a bit bored and I got a call from a number I did not recognize. It was a guy I knew about 4 years ago and he was in town for the holidays and wanted to see me. It was wonderful that he has saved my number and I was so happy to see him again. And, I know if he had relied on my memory or my cell phone, I would never have seen him again.

 

Also, when I am in USA, I will put 100 bath or 300 baht or any amount onto my 12Call from K bank account. This extends the period as well. I do this every few months just to be safe and it is easy to set up the "bill payment" through these online Thai banks.