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How can I avoid overpaying for a SIM card in Thailand?

SIM card Thailandoverpayingvisaexpats
Jan 20, 2022
3 years ago
James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
For the newbs - DO NOT pay more than a few dollars for a sim card. A friend of mine paid $200US for one due to sheer ignorance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses a friend's experience of overpaying $200 for a SIM card in Thailand, highlighting common pitfalls for inexperienced travelers. It emphasizes the importance of not paying excessively for basic necessities like SIM cards and suggests that travelers should seek out inexpensive options available at local stores, such as 7-11, where prices can be as low as 50 Baht for basic plans. Comments include various anecdotes about SIM card prices, experiences of being overcharged, and the importance of knowledge and research to avoid scams while traveling.
Alvin ******
Damn! Did you at least get a reach around?
3 years ago
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Albert ********
Whaat??????
3 years ago
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Gabriel ******
Ahhh the memories of MBK.
3 years ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gabriel *****
 Wanna share?
3 years ago
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James *********
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Psiley *******
so what’s the best deal for a sim card + real unlimited mobile internet data for a month?
3 years ago
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Robert **********
Ive paid $50 in a few European countries, but $200, did it even work?
3 years ago
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Carl ********
Ignorance? You would have to be mentally incompetent or brain dead to spend that much on a sim card !! I feel no pity .
3 years ago
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Dwayne *******
Does he need a phone? I have special price just for him 555
3 years ago
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Paul *******
Sounds more like sheer stupidity. It's Thailand, not Myanmar, where SIM cards ACTUALLY used to cost US$250, until about 10 years ago.

I have a Myanmar SIM in my phone and received a message saying that for new SIM registrations, there is a 20,000 Kyat charge (about USD 12) and 15% tax on internet from now on.
3 years ago
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Филипп **********
@Paul ******
 why u still have it?
3 years ago
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Paul *******
@Филипп *********
 The message says new SIM registrations. I've had mine for many years now. I think since 2013.
3 years ago
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Paul *******
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Osama ************
Maybe he got unlimited calling + unlimited high speed data for one year?
3 years ago
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John **********
I piad that in may for 100gigs of internet per month for a year. Not a bad deal if you ask me
3 years ago
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Brett **********
@John *********
 you got ripped off as well. The same cost me 1500 baht
3 years ago
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John **********
@Brett *********
 for the whole year?
3 years ago
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Brett **********
Dtac one I bought on 12.12.sale
3 years ago
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Brett **********
That was with AIS. Then got an even better deal with dtac with unlimited data at 20mbps that i use for my 4g router. Speed is more than enough for hd streaming
3 years ago
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Brett **********
@John *********
 yep
3 years ago
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John **********
@Brett *********
 jfc Teach me
3 years ago
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Brett **********
@John *********
 you just need to look on Lazada. They only seem to be able to be purchased online. Not offered to foreigners on their apps. Lots of outlets seem to do them through. When it arrives you register online, scan your passport and you're good to go
3 years ago
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Brett **********
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Dallas ******
Do you have his details... I sell information, and my prices are really really good 😉
3 years ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dallas *****
 Read the comments - that's where I mention that he is dead.
3 years ago
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Dallas ******
@James ********
 I'm sorry... I did not read that he is now dead? 🙏
3 years ago
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Dallas ******
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Dallas ******
I have an unlimited data package for 200B/month....AIS
3 years ago
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Keef ********
What did they get for 200 bucks?
3 years ago
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James ***********
I love all these Anthony Bourdain wannabe heroes, every time they must compulsively post to flex how much of a DOPE TRAVELER they are - even to post about how cheaply they can purchase a fkn SIM card. It was an fyi for noobs christ
3 years ago
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Traceys *********
@James **********
 perhaps but sharing is caring
3 years ago
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James ***********
@Tra****
 thoughtful contribution! Sharing can be caring - but in this instance it is the subtly different activity of shitting on the dead, whether inexperienced or dumb. 🥴
3 years ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James **********
 Which instance is "shitting on the dead"?
3 years ago
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James ***********
@Ja***
 people replying to your post and calling him an idiot etc. you’re alright mate!!!
3 years ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James **********
 When he told me what he'd done - I thought he was an idiot, as well. But I thought - since he did it (he was a fairly intelligent guy), I thought I would warn others to not follow. I'm really surprised how much activity is on this post
3 years ago
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James *********
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Robert *********
Was using DTAC but dumped it in favor of AIS. AIS has much wider service area, they are fully-bilingual support for non-Thai and the service is just awesome! 50 baht for SIM and 200 for 30 days unlimited. No brainer!
3 years ago
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Steve **********
@Robert ********
 I

went the route: DTAC for 5 years,

Switched to AIS for another 5, after lot of frustration, now with True.

We'll see.
3 years ago
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Robert *********
@Steve *********
 was using True Home years ago with my ex. Now with AIS at home and mobile and current relationship. Guess I’m a little biased since she gets discounts as an ex-AIS employee! 😬Even so, AIS has my vote.👍
3 years ago
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Steve **********
@Robert ********
 All depends on the person across desk. Most are indifferent, and certainly overcharge farang.
3 years ago
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Steve **********
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Phill ***********
if you have money they will all be youre best friend here
3 years ago
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Ben *******
Depends if it has 12 months calls, net etc.... What did he get with it? Otherwise massive ripoff.
3 years ago
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Peter ***********
Saw this advertised on line for e-sim card. Idk anything about it.

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3 years ago
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Jorge ****
Dorothy... I thought we were still in Kansas... 🤣
3 years ago
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Jeff *******
This is the sort of thing one Googles before traveling.
3 years ago
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Danny *************
Your friend is completely stupid. Ignorance is not the reason lol
3 years ago
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Kevin ***********
Did he get a free phone?
3 years ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No
3 years ago
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James *********
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David *******
Live and learn. If paying 200 bucks for a phone card is the worst he’ll experience , he’s very fortunate. There are many stories about The LOS turning into The WOS.
3 years ago
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Steve **********
@David ******
 Yes, we all have our stories, each year a new scam,

gotta give credit, we're naive.
3 years ago
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David *******
And of course this just doesn’t apply to The LOS.

It happens everywhere.
3 years ago
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David *******
Watch the movie”Return to Paradise”.
3 years ago
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David *******
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Marc ********
The friend clearly is an idiot. Period
3 years ago
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Mickael ********
I paid 200 but Thai Bath not USD 🤪🤪🤪
3 years ago
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Nick ************
Did he get a free phone and free internet and calls for life thrown in?
3 years ago
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Donna **********
We paid 800 baht each in Phuket in October.
3 years ago
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Robert *********
Sounds scammy!
3 years ago
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Robert *********
Doh!
3 years ago
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Harry ********
Buy at a shop that will register it, as self-registation cannot be very frustrating.

If AIS, from the AIS shop ฿50 all in...
3 years ago
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Carlos *********
Amazing Thailand
3 years ago
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ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ *******
If you get google fi. You wouldn't have to worry about a sim card haha
3 years ago
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ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ *******
When my plane landing in bkk. I got a welcome message lol
3 years ago
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ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ *******
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Matthew ********
Wow what an unlucky guy. I’ve overpaid by a couple hundred baht probably once somewhere along the way but a couple hundred dollars? Jeeze. I hope he’s going to be way more careful now.
3 years ago
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Ross ********
Did he buy a buffalo yet?
3 years ago
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Steve **********
@Ross *******
 we all have. But have an extra if anyone's interested

She will deliver.
3 years ago
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Stan *******
@Steve *********
 what, in 9 month’s time? 😊
3 years ago
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Stan *******
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Steve *******
Sim cards are 49bt.
3 years ago
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Steven *********
Just go to a 7-11 to get a sim card. Easy and cheap.
3 years ago
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Sammy *******
@Steven ********
 do they require you to provide id to purchase the sim card?
3 years ago
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Bryce ********
@Sammy ******
 yes
3 years ago
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Bryce ********
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Marinus ******************
They have also a nice app. But with wifi 20 GB is enough for one month.
3 years ago
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Marinus ******************
Works already 3 month with no problem
3 years ago
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Marinus ******************
True
3 years ago
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Marinus ******************
@Steven ********
 20 Gb one month including SIM card 100 Baht.
3 years ago
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Joakim ********
@Marinus *****************
 I think 300 bath unlimited 10mb/s 30 days
3 years ago
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Joakim ********
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Burnard ************
Bought at the airport?
3 years ago
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Jenni ******
Sheer ignorance is a bit rough. I'd say it would have been his first time and we all get taken before we learn. Part of travelling
3 years ago
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Linda **********
@Jenni *****
 in Buddhist world ignorance is the absence of truth
3 years ago
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Steve *******
@Jenni *****
 you just described ignorance.
3 years ago
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Jenni ******
@Steve ******
 why do you people find it so necessary to be so rude
3 years ago
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Steve *******
@Jenni *****
 I think it's social media. I'm not rude, but it's so easy to bash people for maning mistakes or being st*pid on Facebook, because it's so..well..easy.

Blame smartphones and apps.

Have a nice day.
3 years ago
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Jenni ******
@Steve ******
 smartphones and apps don't type. People do
3 years ago
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Steve *******
@Jenni *****
 well you don't know what ignorant means, so maybe go read a book.
3 years ago
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Jenni ******
@Steve ******
 see being rude once again
3 years ago
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Danny *************
@Jenni *****
 you're getting some banter because you were incorrectly criticsing the OP's choice of words, and in fact it is you that got the meaning of the word wrong. Grow an extra layer of skin, or get off the internet. We've all been wrong and been mocked. It's the same in every country I've lived in. Learning to laugh at one self is important in life ...
3 years ago
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Danny *************
@Jenni *****
3 years ago
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Steve *******
@Jenni *****
 I like pizza with tuna on it.
3 years ago
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Steve *******
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Jenni ******
@Steve ******
 some things just don't warrant a reply 🙄
3 years ago
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Danny *************
@Steve ******
 Jenni Vs English. Who's your money on???
3 years ago
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Steve *******
@Danny ************
 gambling is illegal in Thailand. I know that because I'm not ignorant.
3 years ago
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Steve *******
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Danny *************
@Jenni *****
 Do you know what ignorant means hahahaha? I think not
3 years ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jenni *****
 He had no reference - I think it was his first time out of the US. Like none of the people in here making comments have ever been ripped off. I been traveling Asia for over 15 years now and have been ripped off PLENTY (at least not robbed yet). We all learn from our mistakes - otherwise, it would be too easy.
3 years ago
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Jenni ******
@James ********
 I agree, it happens and you learn especially trying to convert money that you understand into local currency
3 years ago
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David *******
@James ********
 -It happens and it pisses me off .But the Pen is mightier than the sword.But!He’s gotta wait until he gets back stateside before he posts a scathing review.There are defamation laws in Thailand followed by lawsuits and other legal procedures that would make $200 look like tip money.
3 years ago
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Andy *********
Ignorance is seeing Thailand as a poor, developing country without easy, cheap and wide access to phones. Getting conned out of 50 baht in a taxi for a meter not running is not the same as paying 200 dollars for a sim.
3 years ago
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Andy *********
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David ********
@Jenni *****
 More like "pure stupidity" Lol
3 years ago
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Olivier *********
@Je***
, being conned is NOT part of travelling.
3 years ago
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David *******
@Olivier ********
 -Oh yeah?
3 years ago
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David *******
Unless you never leave the nest, being conned is part of life.

And getting revenge is sweet.

But payback is a motherfucker.
3 years ago
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David *******
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Olivier ********
 Yes, it is - especially in Asia.
3 years ago
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Jenni ******
@Olivier ********
 it pretty much is lol
3 years ago
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Jenni ******
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Charles ********
Can I have his number?
3 years ago
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Brett **********
Jesus, you can get a 12 month pre paid for $50. Please tell me it at least had some minutes and data included?
3 years ago
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Istvan *********
I can help him and will just cost $100 😂
3 years ago
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Oliver **********
Maybe they meant sin card. It gets you into heaven even if you're a piece of garbage
3 years ago
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Steven ******
But you wouldn't even pay that in your own country...... 🤷‍♂️
3 years ago
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Jonas *************
Often you're better off buying a simcard with 1 month data outside of usa. . To use in USA ...
3 years ago
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Jonas *************
Simcards in usa are expensive...
3 years ago
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Delvonte ********
@Jonas ************
 not that expensive. Let’s not make An excuse for retardation
3 years ago
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David *******
@Jonas ************
 -Every thing in the USA is expensive.When I return there I will become an unrepentent and avowed miser.
3 years ago
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David *******
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Garrett ***********
7000 baht for a sim card? Wtf
3 years ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 He was as green as they get.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
James Mancusi. THAT is GREEN! Most people would get a couple of long times for that! (So I've been told 🤣)
3 years ago
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Thai ******
Seriously 😂
3 years ago
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Thai ******
@Bobby *******
 or 7 short times haha
3 years ago
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Thai ******
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