Buying a sim card in Thailand to use in my iPad and iPhone
In Bangkok, people popularly unlock their phones at shops on the 4th floor of MBK Centre on Phayathai Road (BTS: National Stadium).
Q: Hi, I will be in Thailand and would like to know about buying a sim card in Thailand to use in my iPad and iPhone. I want to be able to access the Internet while travelling in Thailand? Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot, Hana
A: It’s very easy to buy a Thai sim card here. Several countries sell iPhones unlocked, meaning the smart phone is not tied to just one mobile company. In Bangkok, people popularly unlock their phones at shops on the 4th floor of MBK Centre on Phayathai Road (BTS: National Stadium). Once your phone is unlocked, there are three main service providers from which to choose: DTAC, AIS and True Move. All offer attractive promotions for customers, and it’s best to check and compare the deals to suit your usage via each company’s website. Then, when you arrive in Thailand, you’ll know what you want. You can buy your sim at any 7-Eleven convenience store – branches can be found all over the country. If you are landing in Bangkok first, you’ll find service centres of each of the phone operators in Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Arrival Hall.
Q: We are a family looking for a hotel near Suvarnabhumi Airport to stay for a night before catching our flight back home next week. We had originally planned to overnight in town but with the risk of flooding, I’d prefer to be near the airport. Thank you for your help, RJ
A: There are many hotels near the airport but if you want to be as near as possible, I’d suggest booking now at Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel from where you can walk to the airport in 10 minutes or use the hotel’s free shuttle. It’s the most convenient place to stay in the current unpredictable situation. Within a short distance of the airport, there are also many places at a wide range of prices while waiting for your onward connection. Among them are BS Residence Suvarnabhumi, which is located five kilometres from the airport and provides 24-hour free shuttle service, Convenient Resort and the Cottage Suvarnabhumi, Floral Shire Resort, Great Residence Hotel, Lilac Relax Residence, Mariya Boutique Residence and many others in the Lat Krabang area. However, many people don’t really trust the situation especially to east of Bangkok including Lat Krabang. I think it’s better to err on the side of caution and opt for Novotel. That said, I also Bangkok city centre may be safer than those areas near the airport, so if you can’t book the airport hotel, take the Airport Rail Link to the centre and stay at a hotel near Phaya Thai or Makkasan stations instead. Don’t panic about the flood risk, but do plan for the worst case scenario. Also don’t forget to keep your eye on the Bangkok flood news.
