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Is it better to use a travel router or a VPN for internet connectivity in Thailand?
Travel RouterVPNThailandInternet ConnectivityMobile HotspotSim CardPublic WiFiSecurityVPN ProvidersExpressVPNNordVPNCyberGhostAstrillProtonVPN
Apr 27, 2024
2 years ago
Jayla ********
ORIGINAL POSTERQuestion: I am planning to purchase a travel router or VPN for my upcoming trip to Thailand. Which one is better?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around whether to purchase a travel router or use a VPN for internet access in Thailand. Community members suggest various options and share their experiences with cellular data, mobile hotspots, and the use of specific VPN services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Recommendations include buying a local SIM card, using mobile WiFi, and considerations for online security when using public WiFi networks in Thailand. Some users express concerns about accessing their bank accounts while using a VPN, while others mention the use of specific VPN services to bypass geographic restrictions on content.
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Raymond ******
Remity is a transfer based company that charges $1.99 to send money from your American bank account to wherever you need it, but it takes time like 10 days. This is how I send money back to Thailand.
Robert *****
@Raymond *****
its REMITLY. my transfers from the USA to Thailand take maybe 14 seconds.Raymond ******
@Robert ****
wtf? 14 seconds? Mine take like a week to 10 daysReply to
Raymond ******
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Christopher ******
CyberGhost is a good cheap VPN works in Thailand but as noted some things don’t work with VPN on like ChatGPT
William *******
Express VPN
Danny ******
I live in Thailand VPN is great if you’re trying to watch something that is restricting your access to watch something in a different country
Todd *********
@Danny *****
many of us live in Thailand. But what are you finding restricted in Thailand? And why?Robert *****
@Todd ********
things like Gun related sites. My favorite Japanese Porn sites.Danny ******
@Todd ********
I use Express VPN. I’m able to get things that are blocked in Thailand adult entertainment. The main thing is some of the apps like Hulu and Netflix won’t work or they’ll change the region by your language.Reply to
Danny ******
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Terary **********
I think those are two different things
travel router - I think you mean mobile hotspot, use wifi for internet access across several devices?
VPN - encrypt connection between two computers (routers, etc). Used often to hide your current location.
I think you want the mobile hotspot. If you are using a US phone than you will want one of these. Or, buy a cheap phone - does the same thing but then you have an international phone. Mobile wifi will get you better quality internet probably.
travel router - I think you mean mobile hotspot, use wifi for internet access across several devices?
VPN - encrypt connection between two computers (routers, etc). Used often to hide your current location.
I think you want the mobile hotspot. If you are using a US phone than you will want one of these. Or, buy a cheap phone - does the same thing but then you have an international phone. Mobile wifi will get you better quality internet probably.
Kerry *********
We use Astrill. Never had an issue. Used it for several years in China and continue to use it in Thailand.
Chris ********
gl.inet has very nice travel routers with good VPN performance. Running OpenWRT so you have lots of options with it
Jayla ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kerry ********
definitely going to check it outReply to
Jayla ********
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Brian *********
VPN use Proton the most secure in the world
Brian *********
@Brian ********
an encrypted tunnel is an encrypted tunnel, the security level is more dependent on the vendor, not the technology (in this case VPN).Brian *********
💤
Reply to
Brian *********
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Robert *****
My Bank in the USA won’t let me access my account with a VPN. From Thailand.
Brian *********
@Robert ****
Did you try without the VPN? Many simply will not allow a VPN these days as it's used for hack attempts a lot!I have 4 US based banks and 3 will not work with a VPN but work fine from Thailand without the VPN.
Chris ********
Use the VPN to make them think your somewhere else. How can they know?
Brian *********
@Chris *******
It's called Geofencing! Though VPN masks or assigns different IP Addresses, it cannot mask the routing table (where the request originated) and a company (many do this) can restrict that access attempt based on its geographic origin. My experience has been in Thailand this renders VPN pretty much pointless most of the time.Chris ********
@Brian ********
Maybe they can see that you're using an IP from a known VPN provider. I run VPN on both my home router in US and home router in Thailand and never seem to have any problems. I have seen a few sites block Surfshark VPNJayla ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris *******
really. Can you enlighten me on how you ran a vpn on your home router and your rltravel router. I'm looking to do the sameChris ********
@Jayla *******
I use gl.inet routers on both devices, but other brands probably do ok as well. The VPN software is pre-installed on their devices. I prefer using Wireguard however both OpenVPN and Wireguard are there. On the routers, you create public and private keys but you only share the public keys between them. You can also create a QR code public key which you can scan with your phone or laptop. Use the standard Wireguard app for your phone. The default key setup will make your clients appear to be in the LAN at home whenever you enable the VPN.Jayla ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris *******
that's amazing, thanks so much for the helpBrian *********
@Chris *******
Yes, certainly this is one way! But the end run to all the above can be ignored by using routing traces. Most often using flat tables of preidentified device origins. Though VPNs can impersonate a regions IP address it cannot mask the routing coming from outside of a designated area.I used to restrict access to infrastructure, sites and services to only the US 48 contagious states for an entire organization, VPN or not. Tools used would not only allow for restriction based on IP and subnets, they would identify the geographic origin of the request. Frankly pretty slick stuff!
Reply to
Brian *********
Reply
Jayla ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ****
that my biggest worry is one day my bank would need to send me a security code and it won't go thur because my IP/VPN says I'm in ThailandBrian *********
@Jayla *******
what I did to get around this is retained my home phone number, ported it over to Google Voice which is VOIP and it works fine! 😉Jayla ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brian ********
perfect, I'm try thatReply to
Jayla ********
Reply
Todd *********
Why
Naj *************
@Todd ********
no idea how the internet works? There are plenty reasons to use a VPN… you can check more here. Www.giybf.comTodd *********
@Naj ************
another one sucked in… 🤷♂️Naj *************
@Todd ********
in what? Basic education? Yeah guilty as charged…Todd *********
@Naj ************
you can't even figure out how to get a driver's license. It must be hard to function with your head jammed so far up your arse.Naj *************
@Todd ********
at least you can read… use it to educate your self…. Instead of stalking profiles… old creepTodd *********
@Naj ************
it’s in the posts log lol. But how would you know that? You basic education has failed you. Nobody is likely to stalk your profile lol. You sound uselessNaj *************
@Todd ********
yeah… not as useless as a retired Canadian who only came to Thailand to find a women to buy🤣 hard to find someone in your country low enough to take you…Reply to
Naj *************
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Owen ********
@Todd ********
that's the best answer exactly, why do you think you need either. What's the business case?Todd *********
@Owen *******
exactly. No idea what people are thinking here 🤷♂️Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Tony **********
Wifi everywhere
John *********
@Tony *********
I would always use a VPN on public wifi - no exceptionsTony **********
@John ********
okay, but the question was about connectivity.....Ruth *******
@Tony *********
where do you see that? I see a question about a VPN router.John *********
@Ruth ******
A VPN router is any router that has a VPN installed on it. ExpressVPN software on your router can provide full VPN benefits to all devices connected to the router, including encryption and location changes, protecting your whole home.Ruth *******
@John ********
I didn’t need that explanation. 🤣🤣🤣 talk to Tony, maybe.John *********
@Ruth ******
do you want a complete answer or an incomplete one?Ruth *******
@John ********
an "answer" to a question that was not asked is not an answer ("complete" or not) at all.🤣🤣🤣I'm done following this thread now...you can instruct into the wind if you'd like.
John *********
@Tony *********
I have had excellent results with ExpressVPN so far.Reply to
John *********
Reply
Ed *****
Use a mobile wifi, with a high speed sim card.
Paul ********
Nord vpn works well plenty of connections
John *********
@Paul *******
ExpressVPN works greatDavid ******
@Paul *******
I have nord as well but have been told express vpn is faster in Thailand.Steve **********
@David *****
yes, I have both, the Nord servers in Thailand are horrible. ExpressVPN servers in Thailand are really good.Reply to
Steve **********
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Pascal ********
Buy a simcard and use your cellphone as a hotspot. Works great.
Reply to
Pascal ********
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