Answered6 years ago
How can I get a local Thai cell phone number while living in the US to receive international calls and texts?
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I live in US. How do I get a local Thai cell phone number in US to receive international phone calls and text messages, with top up value? Thanks
Answer summary
To obtain a local Thai cell phone number while living in the US, you can either have someone mail you a SIM card that you activate in Thailand prior to your departure or purchase one from a Thai supermarket or provision store in your area if available. You may also consider using VoIP services like WhatsApp, Line, or Skype for communication. Note that while Thai SIM cards may only work in Thailand under normal circumstances, some plans do offer international use if activated properly. If you wish to keep your number active for services like banking, consider changing to a postpaid plan with roaming options, though prepaid plans can also work with proper management.
20 repliesnewest first
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Ron ******************
Get a Skype number.
Ida **************
Use WhatsApp
John ********
Line is best
Lisa ********************
Use WhatsApp, Line or Skype
Dlonra ********
Why using a Thai local number if you are in U.S ? They have many option paid or free in internet ?
Ray ******
I've a DTAC one, can recharge via internet but you need to have it to receive the SMS DTAC sends with a log in password.
Ray ******
I would go to your local Thai Area, if there's any Thai's in your town they is bound to be a Thai supermarket or provision store. They probably have registered Thai Sim Cards they will sell you, I use DTAC so I know how it works, for the first 2 or 3 recharges it adds progressively longer validity times, till you end up with about 12 months each recharge, you can recharge via their website but you need the phone to be active to receive the Passcode via SMS to log into your account.
Terence *******
OP@Ray *****
where can I buy one? Any online link for purchase ?🙏
George *********
Local Thai cell numbers only work in Thailand i would imagine.
Rudolph ***********
@George ********
I have a Thai mobile pho. bought in Bkk. The phone service provider is AIS. My phone is a Samsung A70. Works here in USA, (Hawaii). FYI AIS is partner w/T-Mobile. When my A70 does not work, I ask my girlfriend to check my phone and she puts money(minutes) into my phone in Bkk. It's all "GOOD"🤣🙂
Margot ********
@George ********
Not exactly, my one works in France but you have to ask the operator before leaving Thailand Christopher ******
I don't have an answer but would be interested in a solution! I have a DTAC prepaid number that doesn't receive any signal in the USA but that is the number tied to my Bangkok bank account notifications as an example I can't do some transactions since I can't receive a one-time password etc. I planned ahead when I left Thailand end of September but for some of the replies "just use Line, why would you have that, etc" I just wanted to share an example as to why you might want to have a Thai sim/cell in the USA received international calls/texts.
Garrett ***********
@Chris******
Have you paid your service? Do you use the DTAC app? If your service is still valid you should be able to recover OTP sms messages anywhere in the world.Christopher ******
@Garrett **********
it's prepaid top-up number but with a balance displayed on the DTAC app. I would imagine a post-paid subscription would have more options and might work, in fact, I could try to change to post-paid while in the USA (DTAC app advertises that), but it's not that urgent for me and not sure if that would solve it, probably would have a second step of subscribing to a roaming service. Terence *******
OP@Christopher *****
exactly, I have the same problem with my Bangkok bank as well.Garrett ***********
The visa application asking for your Thai number, just fill it in with 0s. Its the same for flights and hotel booking, you can put your anticipated flight and hotel, you do NOT need to book a flight ahead of time for the visa.
Andrew **********
Line app. Or just use fb messenger. Call my girl from the US everyday. Free
Dominik **********
Why would you use a Thai cell phone number in the USA while you’re living in the USA? What should be the purpose of it?
Kathy ****************
What's app, we use for calls, texts and video...
Paul *******
Have someone mail you one. Might want to activate it here just in case. Pretty sure no matter where you are if it's activated here you'll be good. Might not even need to be activated here , but just in case . Atelast once it's in the mail you'll know it's a working sim card
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