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When you’re in an unfamiliar place, what do you always have on hand? Your smartphone! It’s right in your pocket ready to be whipped out when you need to get directions or call a cab. Of course, when you’re travelling abroad in a country like Thailand, your usual mobile setup might not cut it.
Here’s everything you need to know about staying connected in Thailand.
Australian mobile providers who offer travel plans
Optus
Available with some Optus plans, Optus Daily Roaming offers 5GB of data for $5 per day plus unlimited, standard talk and text within Zone 1 destinations (including Thailand). Opus Flex Plus offers prepaid international roaming add-ons for 1 or 7 days.
Telstra
If you’re a Telstra customer, you can sign up for the international roaming plan – no SIM swapping needed. Their International Day Pass rates are just $10 a day for those travelling in Thailand.
Vodafone
Vodafone’s roaming plan costs only $5 and can be turned on through MyVodafone.
Thailand prepaid mobile providers
For the most reliable service, it’s your best bet to go with one of the Thai telcos (AIS, DTAC or True). That said, you can only use a Thai SIM card if your phone is unlocked and requires a SIM card. It’s rare that a phone does not have a SIM card these days, however it’s still important to check as you won’t be able to get a local number if you don’t have one. Here’s a little more on each provider:
AIS
AIS is one of the more popular brands and has the most reliable coverage. They offer SIM for Tourist plans that range from 1,199 Baht (AU$56) which gets you 5G high-speed internet for 30 days, to 449 Baht (AU$23) for 8 days.
DTAC
DTAC provides Happy Tourist SIM packages ranging from 1,199 Baht (AU$56) to 499 Baht (AU$23), with a number of options in between, allowing you to better customise your trip.
True
True’s pre-paid packages are better designed for those on a short trip with prices starting at 49 Baht (AU$2).
Where can I buy a SIM card in Thailand?
When you arrive in Thailand, the major airports (like Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi as well as Chiang Mai and Phuket) should have booths on site for each provider. The tourist packages are easy to obtain when you arrive, however the packages are mostly for those only staying a week or so. If you want to get away from the bustling airports, or want an extended deal, head to the retail shops outside of the airport once you’re settled.
You also have the option of purchasing a SIM card online so you have before you go or at your accommodation. However, if you visit a store, a rep can activate the SIM, load credit and ensure you select a package that’s best fit for you.
It’s important to know that the major retailers (including the booths at the airport) will require you to show your passport and will even take a photo when buying a local SIM card. This is not a scam, but it is a fairly new process so don’t be alarmed. If this makes you feel uncomfortable, you can purchase a SIM card from a street vendor, however, these are not nearly as reliable and can be shut off at any time.
How to navigate Thailand’s Wi-Fi hotspots
When you picture Thailand, most of us instantly envision gorgeous beaches and lush jungles. What you’re probably not picturing is a well-developed country with good Wi-Fi service.
True, Bangkok is a bustling metropolis, but most who travel to Thailand aren’t sticking around in the city – you want to go out to those remote areas and get a real taste of the culture! But how can you stay in contact with your friends and family without draining your data? Or more appropriately, how can you make your friends or family jealous by all the Snap chats and Instagrams you’ll be uploading of your adventures if you don’t have good Wi-Fi?
Don’t worry – we know where all the Wi-Fi hotspots are located in Thailand.
Public Wi-Fi coverage in Thailand
Free, public Wi-Fi is widely available in Thailand, with thousands of hotspots keeping you covered. But how do you know where to go? Free Wi-Fi application Wiman breaks it down:
- Bangkok: 470,842 mobile free Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Mueang Samut Prakan: 20,944 mobile free Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Nonthaburi: 66,185 mobile free Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Udon Thani: 5,481 mobile free Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Chon Buri: 7,039 mobile free Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Nakhon Ratchasima: 7,501 mobile free Wi-Fi hotspots.
To find these hotspots, look for popular areas – most cafes, malls, airports, etc. will have what you’re after.
Best mobile providers for Wi-Fi
But what if you want Wi-Fi without having to search out these hotspots or post up in a cafe? Consider buying or renting a pocket Wi-Fi device.
The pocket Wi-Fi is essentially a tiny modem and router that you can carry around with you. They typically connect to at least five devices, so it’s perfect for when you’re travelling in a group. They typically cover all of Thailand, though Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai are where you can get the best reception.
You can rent one for as little as $6 a day. Best of all, you can preorder the device so it’s waiting for you at your accommodation or at the airport when you arrive in Thailand.
As for mobile providers, AIS has one of the best network coverages of all. The AIS Super Wi-Fi package is availble monthly or daily/hourly. You can select your package before you get to Thailand so you’re all set up when you get there.
Wi-Fi scams to be aware of when visiting Thailand
Once you start Wi-Fi hopping your way around Thailand, it’s important to be aware of all the security risks and scams you’re exposing yourself to. A Kaspersky Lab report analysed more than 31 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world and found that 28 percent is unsecured therefore putting your personal information at risk.
When you join a bogus Wi-Fi network, anything you type including your personal message, passwords, and documents, can be intercepted by hackers. The report notes that travellers have the highest risk of getting hacked as they are at the mercy of public Wi-Fi when their mobile network connection is weak.
The best way to avoid being scammed is to use your own private network such as the Pocket Wi-Fi and ensure its password protection. If you’ve decided not to use the portable Wi-Fi, it’s important that you stick to networks that are password protected. Even then, you should never go on your personal accounts or type in passwords to something like a bank app that would be damaging in the wrong hands.
Travel insurance
We all know that the good times can take a slight detour when travelling. When the going gets tough, Travel Insurance Direct policies aim to do the heavy lifting and may assist with travel insurance cover for your trip to Thailand to help keep your trip moving in the right direction, so you can refocus on the fun.