Tri-Band Cellphone in Thailand

June 18, 2010 11:13 AM

Headed to Thailand with my unlocked tri-band LG Neon (850/1800/1900 MHz). How much coverage will I get, and does it matter what prepaid SIM card I buy?

I'm having a hard time finding out how much of Thailand requires the 900 MHz band, which I won't have, or whether there's any difference between carriers. I'll be mostly in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Tao and Ko Samui. Thanks!

posted by _Silky_ to Travel & Transportation around Thailand (3 answers total)

I don't know about the frequency stuff, but as for the carrier, buy whatever they sell at 7-11, as they're everywhere (or at least the places you are going with the possible exception of ko tao), thus when you need to buy a top-up card you just head to the nearest location. That's what I did.
posted by MillMan at 12:35 PM on June 18, 2010

Triband works find in Thailand, a quad band phone isn't required.

Unfortunately carrier depends on the type of calls you will be making, you have 3 choices:

DTAC, advertised as Happy on prepaid tariffs is excellent for international calls but network can be spotty in country areas but not in the places you detail (Ko Tao I am unsure of though).

12Call is AIS' prepaid program and generally has excellent coverage all over Thailand with the exception of very rural villages. They tend to have better offers regarding calls. Also better English language support.

True international has cheap international calls but requires more money up front for the SIM card. They "piggy back" the AIS network so coverage will be the same.

To summarise you won't have issues on any carrier with a Triband phone and choose you carrier depending on your needs.
posted by asharchist at 1:54 PM on June 18, 2010

ok yeah, DTAC/Happy is what I was using. Coverage was excellent in Bangkok, Ko Saumi, and Chiang Mai.
posted by MillMan at 2:16 PM on June 18, 2010