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Telephone

Thailand’s country code is 66. Thailand phone numbers have a 3-digit area code, plus 7-digit local number in the form 123-4567. When you are dialling from within the local calling area, it is not necessary to dial the 3-digit area code.

Dialling a Mobile number in Thailand

The domestic access code for Thailand mobile numbers is 08. When in Thailand, dial a mobile number thus: 08 1234 5678. Overseas calls to Thailand mobile numbers should be dialled thus: + 66 8 1234 5678. Replace the + mark with the international access code needed in the country you are calling from, such as 001 (Singapore), 0011 (Australia), 011 (USA), 00 (UK, India). For example, when you call from Singapore, you dial 001 66 8 1234 5678.

Making International Calls

All major hotels and most guesthouses offer international dialling services but will add a surcharge of 30-40 percent. Business centres in small towns offer fax and phone services which are accompanied by high surcharges.

Bangkok Central Post Office on Charoen Krung Road and some major post offices around the country have a CAT centre which can arrange reverse-charge and credit card calls. In Bangkok these are open from 7 a.m. to midnight, with reduced hours in the provinces.

To dial directly from a hotel room, either contact reception, or dial 001 (for an international line) followed by the country code and telephone number. Alternatively, dial the international operator on 100. Full rates are charged from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a 30 percent discount between midnight and 5 a.m., and 20 percent discount at other times.

Public Phone Booth

There are two types of public phones in Thailand, categorized based upon the type of calls that can be made using them.

For making International calls

The phones for making international calls are usually the bright yellow Lenso payphones. They can be found on the street, in shopping malls and at airports. A Lenso payphone accepts a special phone card. Some even accept international credit card. You can buy a prepaid card available at many convenience stores, post offices, guesthouses and other shops displaying the Lenso logo. The international access code is 001.

For making Local calls

The phones for making local calls and domestic long distance calls are available in a variety of colors. Look at the signs on the phone to determine the type. These phones accept either coins or cards. All coin-operated phones accept 1 baht and 5 baht coins. Some even accept 10 baht coins. Local calls (within the same area code) cost one baht a minute. The long-distance domestic service covers Malaysia and Laos as well as regional Thai calls. These countries can be dialled directly using the appropriate area code.

Mobile Phone

Thailand has a good mobile network with several international players operating their network here. Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. There is good coverage, especially around main cities.

Thailand has three GSM mobile service providers - AIS, DTAC and Truemove. If you have a compatible mobile phone, you may buy a pre-paid SIM card locally and use it with your phone. Check the GSM operators’ websites and also check your phone specification to find out if your phone is compatible to work in Thailand or not. Also check that you do not own a mobile that has a locked SIM card. Most mobile providers lock the phone to their own SIM card when you first purchase the service, so if your phone refuses to work with another SIM card, the wizards at Bangkok's MBK shopping mall will be happy to solve this for less than 500 baht. Alternatively, you can buy a mobile phone at MBK which has a huge selection of cheap second-hand mobiles.

Mobile coverage is very good throughout the country. All cities and tourist destinations (including resort islands) are well covered, and even on most of the countryside you will get the network signal.

If you make frequent short visits to Thailand or even one visit every year even if it is a short one, you may be better off buying a SIM with minimal validity restrictions (usually one year from the last top up). You can re-use the SIM on subsequent trips, thus saving a bit and avoiding the hassles of buying a new one on every visit. Also, you have the advantage of keeping your Thai number the same.