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How can I get phone service and a driver's license in Thailand with a NON O visa?

NON-O VisaThailand Mobile PlansThailand Internet ServicesDriver's License in ThailandExpat AssistanceAIS Mobile ServicesTrue Mobile ServicesDTAC Mobile ServicesResidency CertificateExpat Living in Thailand
Dec 14, 2024
a year ago
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I arrived in Thailand on NON O 90 day retirement visa yesterday. Today i went to AIS for phone and wifi service. They told me they don’t offer long term package including locally priced phone plans and wifi, Non O doesn’t qualify. I also need something else — like a Thailand Drivers Licence. Not even planning on getting a vehicle. Is there an easier way? I hv passport + Non O and will have lease shortly. How else can I do this?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, who recently arrived in Thailand on a NON-O 90-day retirement visa, is seeking guidance on acquiring mobile and internet services, as well as a driver's license, without significant hassle. Responses from the community suggest that other mobile service providers like DTAC and True might offer better options compared to AIS, which reportedly denied service based on visa type. Additionally, users shared various strategies for obtaining a Thai driver's license, emphasizing the need for a residency certificate and suggesting that it can be accomplished without hiring an agent for those willing to complete the required steps on their own.
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Lim ***********
I got a True broadband and a basic cable TV package and a free mobile SIM came with it (Udon Thani Central Plaza) . I pay THB 680+/month. You will need your condo lease and passport.
a year ago
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Dhyana ******
They lied. We have long term contract with them. All you need is your passport and your lease.
a year ago
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Dadderbob **********
Go to
****
no pronlem. AIS sim
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Mark *******
 strange as pay as you go is available to you. I use 6mbps unlimited 360 days. Works well. Think you were looking at postpaid plans which you can't get unless working.
a year ago
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Andy ********
Go to a phone Kiosk and get the plan set up there. Nearly always cheaper too for AIS packages
a year ago
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Cathryn *****************
Get a tourist sim from and
****
, I have had the same one for almost 2 year and recharge online when the data runs out. I chose TRUE. Oh remember to take your passport with you.
a year ago
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Asokā **********
You easily take a dtac prepaid card - i hv that since 2008!
a year ago
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Otis ******
@Asokā *********
 dtac was best 10-'18 likely unchanged as Norge owned
a year ago
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Otis ******
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Frangipani *******
Another option is to buy a tourist SIM and just keep topping it up to keep the same number.
a year ago
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Res *****
Just go to different office.its works)
a year ago
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Philip **********
I went to the ais www store and got an esim. Got to upload passport page.
a year ago
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John ********
Maybe things have changed since the 60 day +30 visa excempt came into play . Ais gave me a 90 day 10 mgb deal 1990 baht ... 3 months £45.00 ish . Not too bad eh ?
a year ago
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Darrel *********
try a different true/ais. You might have to wait for a 1-year extension.

Here is what I did. I first went on Lazda got a 1 year pre-plan (usually a really good deal)

the following year I asked true to convert it to a post-pay and supplied them with my non o. I want to say I didn't need a work permit but I cannot remember.
a year ago
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George *************
I got a 90 days package by ais at the airport fir 1900 bath and I also got a Non I visa.
a year ago
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Radost **************************
No problems at all, just get WiFi and sim card, I am getting every month 10 sim cards for customers on my name and I have 3 fiber connectingd on my name too
a year ago
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Kenny ***********
And reload with credit card
a year ago
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Kenny ***********
Dtac at 7-11
a year ago
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Stu *********
Doesn't make any sense they won't sell you a sim card and service. If you leave Thailand the next day they aren't out anything since you already paid. They don't reuse sim cards.
a year ago
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Bob ********
@Stu ********
 I think the number gets reused after a period of inactivity, I have a number on AIS that is prepaid, I have it on a minimal plan and just top it up as I visit 2-3 times a year, however on Some of the Apps, Lazada, Shopee, someone elses photo pops up, being the previous owner of the number. Can't seem to change it.
a year ago
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Bob ********
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Simon ********
Doesn't sound right
a year ago
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Tony **********
Just pre pay for 3 months. Then when close to expiration, sign up for a year. I got year's service before I got DL.
a year ago
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Andy ************
Go with True. That's what I did, had no problem
a year ago
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Ian ********
My ais phone and internet was done 3 months ago with passport only . Ho to anouther shop
a year ago
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J ******************
There are many AIS outlets maybe try another bit like trying to open bank accounts. Outlets in larger shopping malls maybe are better, failing that other providers
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
@J *****************
 I tried 2 at different shopping malls, they both said no and I had a driving licence. I gave up and went to the 3BB shop a few metres away and they set it up in a few minutes. It's very strange, I think it might depend if you live in an expat area, as they will deal with foreigners living here more often.
a year ago
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John **********
@Stuart **********
 It's just normal, some companies or branches go to the advanced school of how to make things difficult 😂 for ferang. They seem to be full of their own self importance.
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
@John *********
 🤣 yes, that's why I decided to forget AIS and go a few metres down the mall to another provider. It seems very strange refusing business like that, but TiT.

Brandon made a good suggestion of offering 6 months payment in advance, but at the time I never thought of that idea.
a year ago
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John **********
@Stuart **********
 Great to hear. If the screw won't fit in the hole.... drill another hole. Save yourself the frustration 🙏
a year ago
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John **********
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Brook ********
I don’t think you went to a AIS company store. Maybe you went to an authorized agent or didn’t understand them.

Hundreds of people do this successfully every day.

Try again or hire an agent.
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
@Brook *******
 I tried 2 at different shopping malls, they both said no and I had a driving licence. I gave up and went to the 3BB shop a few metres away and they set it up in a few minutes. It's very strange, I think it might depend if you live in an expat area, as they will deal with foreigners living here more often.
a year ago
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Brook ********
@Stuart **********
 you need a passport, not a drivers license.
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
@Brook *******
 naturally I had that as well.
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
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Alan ******
Big C. Only need your passport, mobile and internet, did it last week
a year ago
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Wylie *******
Use someone other than AIS. I have a longterm package with true.
a year ago
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Bob **********
Pay for the full year
a year ago
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Kool *******
When you get any plan with True you are locked into that price for as long as you have it. It doesn't change in price, or services. My internet speed has increased over the years at no additional cost.
a year ago
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Alex *******
You can have your driver license by your self , 220, thb

-You need the residency certificate from immigration

- make appointment ( watching video)30 minutes online get the code , make appointment with transportation office ,

and quick test (2 minutes)

Easy ,, Good Luck
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Alex ******
 that isn’t so cut and dry. 220 baht? Ok
a year ago
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Alex *******
@Steve *******
 this is how much I paid in the transportation office in Krabi Town,,
a year ago
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Alex *******
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Dane ******
@Alex ******
 u mean with license conversion?
a year ago
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Alex *******
@Dane *****
 yes correct
a year ago
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Dane ******
@Alex ******
 could i message you directly for a little bit more info, id like to convert my us drivers license
a year ago
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Alex *******
@Dane *****
 you don’t have to convert , you can keep your original, but you need the international driver license from home country, and than you can have 2 years temporarily

I’m not sure you can if you have tourist visa!
a year ago
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Alex *******
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Marcel ***********
I tried dtac they came but could not hook up the the condo said ais building only 4 days later as hook me up no problems
a year ago
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Mark *******
AIS are talking nonsense, I was offered SIM on an annual plan either prepaid or postpaid, try going another AIS shop.
a year ago
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Janelle *****
That’s just not true.

Just go to the one at emsphere they’ll set you up without all that

I got the long term package just fine on a dtv all I neeeed was my passport they didn’t even check my visa
a year ago
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Peter ********
@Janelle ****
 They probably did check your visa when you handed over the passport for them to copy. Haven't you noticed how much time Thais spend looking at your passport?
a year ago
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Peter ********
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Ian **********
Sounds like they want you to prove your address
a year ago
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Eddie ******
Use agent for drivers licence 1500 baht less hassle
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Eddie *****
 yeah that isn’t cut and dry and it’s not 1500 baht.
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
@Eddie *****
 or do it yourself easily and legally in a few minutes for a couple of hundred baht.
a year ago
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Thomas *******
@Eddie *****
 I got a Thai driver's license in Nong Khai for 205 baht, no agent. Did paperwork at transport office, went to immigration, waited 1 week and had certificate of residency from immigration, back to transport office, quick couple of tests and now I am a proud owner of a Thai DL.
a year ago
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Thomas *******
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Leigh ************
You need to be registered living there to get a driving liscence ... try 7 eleven for sim card and just top up each month
a year ago
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Brandon ************
Ask if you can pre-pay for 6 months in order to establish service. When I got DTAC for fiber internet that was the condition they gave for me.
a year ago
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Phil *******
Get a mobile router and sim card, easy.
a year ago
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Alain ***************
I had my condo agent help me with fiber but did dtac myself. They requested a work permit but at the end accepted my offer to setup automatic payment with my wise account in front of their eyes lol
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
I had the same problem with AIS, so I chose a different provider.

Very strange, it seems to depend on the city you live as other people seem to be able to use AIS.
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
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