Sim card for laptop use in Thailand?

[Gus 97]

I am thinking of taking a laptop to Thailand for my next trip so I am able to watch BBC Iplayer etc, already I have been advised to get a VPN Virtual private Network to help with that.

 

Now I am not too IT savvy but I know that you can get an internet connection where there is WiFi, but if there is no WiFi connection, is there a sim card that you can buy which doesn't work out ridiculously expensive?

TIA

[joseph1 6]

yes, there is a monthly fee to attasch your phone to the laptop and get wi-fi.

[LocalYokul 177]

unless you're logging into a 3G network, I don't think your speeds on 2G/GPRS would be good enough to support a VPN connection or stream video.

 

Just try and be sure to get your lodging at a place with reliable Wi-Fi.

 

USB data cable connections to your phone for access are called Tethering, not the same as Wi-Fi.

 

Another option is connecting via Bluetooth then using your phone as a modem, similar to Tethering, but you're subject to the speed of the mobile network which would be around 40 kpbs if it's not a 3G network.

 

There hopefully is a thread out there outlining which providers are 3G enable in Pattaya, good luck...

[Montydog 135]

Just book a place with good wi-fi as suggested or I know the China Garden also has wired internet as well. But unless you connect through a UK proxy server you wont get iPlayer though you can pick up all the radio stations.

[Grandpollo 366]

There is not a SIM card you put into the computer (there are a handful of computers that support 3G where you can put in a SIM card but practically speaking there are not).

 

You can buy a "dongle" which is a 3G "modem" on a little USB stick that adds a network adapter and 3G or slower (often) from a 3G provider. I assume AIS and DTAC will sell something like this.

 

For prepaid the dongles usually cost in the $30 to $50 range, and then you have to buy time on the SIM not unlike buying time on a SIM for a phone. They even have a phone number.

 

I thought Pattaya was still weak in terms of 3G coverage or 4G at all. If generally, coverage is slower than 3G forget it - 3G is not too shit hot for regular use, 2G is awful - as suggested stay somewhere with wi-fi which will be a lot more consistent and far faster.

[Gus 97]

Thanks for the help guys.

[sailingbill 1,012]

I have been talking with a girl in the sticks, outside Roi Et. She uses an ipad with True 3g. .I think she pays 800 baht month

Skype video calls work well.

[LocalYokul 177]

TrueMove has pretty good coverage in Pattaya, according to their own map :

 

http://www.truemove.com/3g/en/wifi_area_pattaya.html

[jacko 8,775]

While in the UK I used a dongle to get internet via the mobile phone network.(3G)

 

In Thailand I can just connect my mobile phone to the laptop (via USB or bluetooth) and get onto the internet, I suppose a dongle can be bought too if you must. That is always GPRS or Edge and not very fast. I doubt my ADSL is good enough for video streaming.

[MM 6,562]

I have DTAC 3G and did a speed test. Both upstream and downstream were about 3 megabits. That's definitely fast enough for video streaming.

[biggles 509]

"You can buy a "dongle" which is a 3G "modem" on a little USB stick that adds a network adapter and 3G or slower (often) from a 3G provider. I assume AIS and DTAC will sell something like this."

 

I use this system with a Vodaphone dongle which cost me 990 baht and a DTAC card from Happy which costs me 220 baht for 70 hours a month. It is really no use for downloading anything large. its ok to check email and the boards but anything requiring a large download is a waste of time. even downloading a post with a lot of pics is slow

Mate is in a GH that has broadband in house and its very quick in comparison.

[jimmac 66]

I have used True 3G on my iPad in Pattaya and the speed and service are fine. You can buy pre-paid time from True so no need for monthly charges if you're just visiting.

[Grandpollo 366]

The average non techie will do better with a dongle than trying to figure out tethering which is not that easy and requires a 3G smartphone on the same network which if not already owned might be too much of an investment over the simpler dongle method. Most of the dongles will self install and self configure and adding time is not that difficult.

[lovingrv 0]

yes there is a postpaid service is available

[Grandpollo 366]

Many cell companies won't provide postpaid to itinerant tourists as they often subsidize the cost (free dongle, lower rates, free phones) and for someone there for 2, 3,4 weeks who then makes tracks they can't get the postpaid money. So it may be only reasonable if you do not live there, to expect prepaid, which all in all may not be that bad a deal anyway.

[MM 6,562]

Many cell companies won't provide postpaid to itinerant tourists as they often subsidize the cost (free dongle, lower rates, free phones) and for someone there for 2, 3,4 weeks who then makes tracks they can't get the postpaid money. So it may be only reasonable if you do not live there, to expect prepaid, which all in all may not be that bad a deal anyway.

I had to provide a work permit for post paid for both TRUE and DTAC. Not sure what they would have done if I didn't have one.

[Grandpollo 366]

They would have said, "let us show you our nice prepaid plans, sir".

 

I have been all over the planet and one thing is constant - non residents do not get postpaid cell accounts, maybe if you prepaid the bill for 2 years, which makes it prepaid.

 

All in all other than phone subsidies the prices were not bad on prepaid anyway and I do like not giving out a real name etc., for a SIM card.