Cellphones: Calling-Using-Buying-Importing-Activating-Renting

[Eric Swiss]

Was on a short *Day visit to Pattaya and had lost my last SIM. Had to present my Passport when getting a new SIM. Registered on the spot in 7/11 near the rear car Park entrance to the Areca Lodge. From what I hears it is register or lose your existing number.

Some shops like Terminal 21 accept to register your phone if you just show a foreign ID, they do not require a passport.

[BobkBanner]

Was on a short *Day visit to Pattaya and had lost my last SIM. Had to present my Passport when getting a new SIM. Registered on the spot in 7/11 near the rear car Park entrance to the Areca Lodge. From what I hears it is register or lose your existing number.

[Gypsie King]

You're almost correct. Registration must be done before July 31st. At least, that's what is said here: http://tech.thaivisa.com/sim-card-re...ts-today/3627/.

If you go on the dtac website, they clearly say "register your sim card before losing it". You have until kuly 31st according to their website.

GK.

[Goyave]

This is interesting. At the beginning of this year, the word was out, that all prepaid SIM had to be registered, or else be deactivated by the end of June (I may be wrong on the date).

Because several dear ladies have my number, which I have had for many years no, I actually did register, which is easy, though one loses anonymity.

Can anyone please comment on the obligatory registration.

You're almost correct. Registration must be done before July 31st. At least, that's what is said here: http://tech.thaivisa.com/sim-card-re...ts-today/3627/.

[Mogwai]

My last recharge was in April from DTAC store at suvarnabhumi airport on a sim card bought in November last year. I don't think things have changed yet. Maybe someone on ground can reconfirm.

My last recharge was last week and it's valid until April 16, 2016. No registration required.

[IllusionHeart]

This is interesting. At the beginning of this year, the word was out, that all prepaid SIM had to be registered, or else be deactivated by the end of June (I may be wrong on the date).

Because several dear ladies have my number, which I have had for many years no, I actually did register, which is easy, though one loses anonymity.

Can anyone please comment on the obligatory registration.

My last recharge was in April from DTAC store at suvarnabhumi airport on a sim card bought in November last year. I don't think things have changed yet. Maybe someone on ground can reconfirm.

[Daddy San]

Arrived at Suvarnabhumi 530 am a few days ago. After luggage and immigration (went straight through both) I went to the stalls where DTAC, AIS + a 3rd provider are located.

DTAC has 7, 15 and 30 days options, it's called "Happy Holiday" LOL, and a few addons concerning bandwidth. I picked the most expensive 30 days product. Baht 1000. It's 3-4 G, I can't remember the bandwith, in reality it's super fast.

There were a little queueing at AIS (6 am), that's why I chose DTAC.

The (hot) girl told me that it's valid for a year's top up in all 7-11's. I believe that every time you top up you renew the one year lease time.

I didn't register anything (she didn't ask for name, passport etc.).

I handed over my old iPhone 5, within one minute the cute girl had the SIM card installed and activated.

I tried the same in Japan recently, got pushed from store to store for a half day's time in central Fukuoka. Finally, a nerdy boy had a SIM card installed and activated in the same iPhone with approx 30 minutes!

This is interesting. At the beginning of this year, the word was out, that all prepaid SIM had to be registered, or else be deactivated by the end of June (I may be wrong on the date).

Because several dear ladies have my number, which I have had for many years no, I actually did register, which is easy, though one loses anonymity.

Can anyone please comment on the obligatory registration.

[Jean Sean]

Arrived at Suvarnabhumi 530 am a few days ago. After luggage and immigration (went straight through both) I went to the stalls where DTAC, AIS + a 3rd provider are located.

DTAC has 7, 15 and 30 days options, it's called "Happy Holiday" LOL, and a few addons concerning bandwidth. I picked the most expensive 30 days product. Baht 1000. It's 3-4 G, I can't remember the bandwith, in reality it's super fast.

There were a little queueing at AIS (6 am), that's why I chose DTAC.

The (hot) girl told me that it's valid for a year's top up in all 7-11's. I believe that every time you top up you renew the one year lease time.

I didn't register anything (she didn't ask for name, passport etc.).

I handed over my old iPhone 5, within one minute the cute girl had the SIM card installed and activated.

I tried the same in Japan recently, got pushed from store to store for a half day's time in central Fukuoka. Finally, a nerdy boy had a SIM card installed and activated in the same iPhone with approx 30 minutes!

[Harry Dude]

I purchase a DTAC everytime I come into Suvarnabhumi. However, it was my understanding that those cards are generally valid for only 15 days to 30 days. For sim cards which are valid for longer say around 11 months one has to buy it from 7/11 or Family Mart. Am I missing something? Will topping up the DTAC sim (which was purchased from the airport) on the next visit which could be after 3 months or more re-validate the number?

DTAC "Happy SIM" (prepaid SIMs) are valid for 1 year after each time you refill. You can refill anywhere - 7-Eleven, DTAC shop, etc.

[Harry Dude]

Yes they do and they also have some of the longest wait times of any kiosks you'll find thruout the city. They didn't have any set lines, just 20 people standing around the counter with cell phones out and 5 people behind the counter doing nothing to organize their activity. People coming up behind you might get served ahead of you.

I've never waited more than 2-3 minutes at the DTAC counter where I usually refill my SIM. Most of the time there I've been serviced without any delay whatsoever. If there were lines I would've taken my business elsewhere. I am usually there between 6 am and 7 am in the morning, I am not sure what is considered peak traffic hour at these kiosks.

[IllusionHeart]

I purchase a DTAC everytime I come into Suvarnabhumi. However, it was my understanding that those cards are generally valid for only 15 days to 30 days. For sim cards which are valid for longer say around 11 months one has to buy it from 7/11 or Family Mart. Am I missing something? Will topping up the DTAC sim (which was purchased from the airport) on the next visit which could be after 3 months or more re-validate the number?

AO. I have never had to register the no or revalidate. I have been using the same no since November now. 4 trips and it still is working. Just reload the 299 baht 7 week 1. 5 gb Internet plan everytime from suvarnabhumi. Last time I had to make some calls to singapore and I had loaded some talk time. Balance still available on card.

I have also not provided any Id proof during purchase or reload either.

I faced issue in jakarta last week when I bought sim from 7/11. I had to go to XL center to activate the 4G Internet plan which requires registration. However I told him I was not carrying Id and requested him to activate for a week which he did. I doubt if that no will be usable on my next visit.

[ActionOriented]

I had bought my DTAC Sim card from DMK in 5 minutes and now top it up everytime I land at Suvarnabhumi in under 5 minutes.

I purchase a DTAC everytime I come into Suvarnabhumi. However, it was my understanding that those cards are generally valid for only 15 days to 30 days. For sim cards which are valid for longer say around 11 months one has to buy it from 7/11 or Family Mart. Am I missing something? Will topping up the DTAC sim (which was purchased from the airport) on the next visit which could be after 3 months or more re-validate the number?

[IllusionHeart]

Thanks, but if the line is long, I am not going to wait around. After 20 hours on a plane, I won't wait more than 5 minutes.

Rodwint, At DMK as you walk towards the Taxi gate there are a few shops on the right who will fix you up with a Internet enabled SIM card immediately. Similarly at Suvarnabhumi once you are outside gate 7 there are shops of all major carriers and they will also set up a Internet enabled sim card in minutes.

There is no need to run around. I had bought my DTAC Sim card from DMK in 5 minutes and now top it up everytime I land at Suvarnabhumi in under 5 minutes.

[Allover]

Thanks, but if the line is long, I am not going to wait around. After 20 hours on a plane, I won't wait more than 5 minutes.

Prices are higher at the airport kiosks. I went to the airport 7-11 one or two floors below the kiosks and got a much better deal on a SIM card. 7-11 won't set up the internet on your phone for you. I would still recommend going to Terminal 21, MBK, or even the top floor at the modern mall attached to the skytrain station at the Siam Square BTS stop. You can shop prices from all the main phone companies and they will all set your phone up for the internet and voice.

[Rodwint2]

Yes they do and they also have some of the longest wait times of any kiosks you'll find thruout the city. They didn't have any set lines, just 20 people standing around the counter with cell phones out and 5 people behind the counter doing nothing to organize their activity. People coming up behind you might get served ahead of you.

Thanks, but if the line is long, I am not going to wait around. After 20 hours on a plane, I won't wait more than 5 minutes.