Phone and Internet in Thailand

In terms of communication, Thailand offers various alternatives to ensure you stay connected with the world and remain close to your family and friends during your stay. It boasts a powerful and smooth internet connection, ubiquitous telephone service, and an efficient postal service.

Fixed-line telephone

In Thailand, the telephone network is of good quality, covering almost the entire territory, except for remote islands and isolated mountainous areas. It is very easy to find telephone booths across the country, especially in major cities. For local calls, you can use a prepaid card or coins. If you wish to call your relatives abroad, prefer the green or yellow booths and use a national TOT card or a Lenso card. Prepaid cards can be purchased at post offices, bookstores, or large hotels for 100, 200, or 500 baht, depending on the unit the card contains. Thailand's telephone code is +66. To call from the Kingdom of Siam, dial code 33 for France, 32 for Belgium, and 41 for Switzerland, then enter the number without the initial 0.

Mobile phone

If your mobile phone is compatible with the GSM network, it can work in Thailand. Unlocking your mobile and opting for a local prepaid SIM card is an effective option if you want to restrict your budget during your stay in Thailand. Otherwise, it is advisable to buy a mobile phone locally. You can find them upon your arrival at the airport or in most stores. The procedures required to obtain a mobile phone with a prepaid or recharged SIM card are easy and inexpensive. For a rechargeable line, simply register your name and passport number with the seller at the store of your choice. Sellers handle all the procedures at the time of purchasing the SIM card. Dtac and 1-2-call, also known as AIS, are among the main telecommunication operators in Thailand. With more users than other providers, these two operators are present almost everywhere in the country. Their credit top-ups are even sold in small convenience stores like 7-Eleven. With a SIM card, you can enjoy unlimited 4G coverage practically anywhere in the country.

Internet

Apart from remote and rural areas, Thailand enjoys excellent wired and Wi-Fi connections, especially in tourist spots. Inexpensive internet services are starting to become part of the daily routine for Thais. Cybercafés are found almost everywhere, even in small towns. Generally, owners set the rate at 30 baht per hour. The majority of Thai tourist establishments, such as shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels, offer free Wi-Fi connections. The government reserves the right to block certain pages that incite rebellion or hatred towards the royal family, although there is freedom of expression.

Postal service

In Thailand, postal services remain operational despite the expansion of new technologies like the Internet. They are still very efficient and cheaper than in France. Each post office has a service for sending mail by land, sea, or air. Normally, mail arrives in France within 8 to 10 days after being sent. However, you can use EMS Speed Post services if you need to send an urgent parcel or document. The delivery time for this service is a maximum of 3 days for European countries, but expect to pay more for the service: around 1,100 baht for the first kilo.