Thailand Communication Plan
I don't do Google voice, so I can't comment on it.
As others have noted, you can use an American cell phone in Thailand, but the roaming charges will be outrageous. I recommend getting on the Bay of E and searching for an "unlocked GSM cell phone. " You'll find hundreds to choose from. If you want to splash out, you can spend big money for the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. Or you can get a cheap flip phone or slider phone. I got a older Motorola with a slide out keyboard to make it easier to text. If I'm in a noisy bar it's easier to text than it is to talk on the phone. Plus of course you don't need to connect in real time. Finally lots of the girls prefer to text instead of chat person-to-person. Once you get to Thailand you can buy a SIM card at the airport. All the major cell carriers have booths just past the customs checkpoint. You can purchase a voice / text plan if you have an older phone. If you're rocking the smartphone you can get a voice / data plan, usually an all-you-can-eat in 30 days deal. Make sure you change enough money into baht to buy your SIM card. (The money changers are on the AIR side of customs.)
I need to be able to work remotely when I'm in Thailand, so I bring a laptop. My machine is too big for most safes, but I've never worried about leaving in my hotel room when I go out. (I should note, however, that I stay in nice hotels. If you're lodging in some backpacker hovel the risk might be greater.) I set up a Skype account before I leave on my trip. If I need to call back to the United States I can use either my cell phone (if I'm out and about) or Skype on the computer (when I'm in my hotel or any other place with wi-fi). You'll need a USB or Bluetooth headset, but those are super cheap.
Note: You can also wait until you begin your holiday to buy your phone, SIM card and headset. In Bangkok make your way to the MBK Center. In Pattaya find the Tukcom Center. Both are multistory shopping places that sell all things electronic. If you can't find it at the MBK or Tukcom you don't need it.
I don't need to take incoming calls from the USA, mostly because of the time difference. It's usually enough that people leave a voice mail for me back in the Land of Fat Angry Feminist Chicks and I return the call at my leisure. If you need to accept incoming calls you can e-mail people your Thai cell number. But they'll pay for an international call and of course that gives away where you are. You can work around this by paying a small fee to Skype for a virtual phone number in any area code you choose. Anybody who wants to reach you can call that number, which is *not* an international call because it's a USA Area code. Skype than connects the call to your Skype app on your laptop (which has voice mail if you don't answer). For an extra charge, Skype will forward the call to your Thai cell phone. So your boss dials (404) xxx-xxxx and through the miracle of modern commo your cell phone rings as you lounge poolside on holiday. (Actually, the time difference makes that unlikely, but you get the idea.)
Finally, if you're on the down low while in Thailand be advised that your e-mail headers will give away your location. This can be cured by using a proxy site. But that's a discussion for another day.
Bunky
Yes, it is bad in the USA
[QUOTE=Phordphan;1646921]You seriously underestimate the power of the feminists in Western countries. The US military is practically dominated by a board of women (with a significant percentage of lesbians) who do nothing but look for discrimination and "bias" in the military and the generals cower in fear. Much of US domestic policy is now based upon the rantings of neurotic women. VAWA is only one example. The outlawing of any sort of P4 P, with draconian punishment, is one symptom of a society run by militant leftist feminists. Look at the current US shield laws (the woman is protected, the man is not), the war on masculinity, extremely biased divorce laws, etc. , etc.
Oh, and checking for pictures, when entering the USA, is most definitely NOT illegal. There are court rulings upholding this. Don't make ignorant statements such as this before you know the facts. It may, or may not, be legal in Europe, but it is most certainly permitted when entering the USA.[/QUOTE]I agree with this assessment, women run Hollywood, the media, and now government.
The nanny state, dysfunctional government, political correctness, and the emergence of women in government all started at the same time, around 1990.
Before President Clinton there were almost zero women in presidential administrations and then Clinton put in several in his administration. At the time I thought it was a good idea but 20 years later it was the beginning of a politically correct feminist state, their allie's are the extreme left and gays. They have hijacked the Democratic Party and are happy to twist reality and reform it to their liking.
Just watch American TV and you will see women empowerment every hour, it's built into every TV series or reality show. It's social manipulation at it's most sophisticated and they are ruthless, the bunch, Dems that is.
This is the assessment of a once proud democrat, me. All my grief and loss of freedom comes from democrats. Thankfully (for now) escape is across the border, any border.
