What are the best ways to stay connected with friends in the US while living in Thailand?

Question

Moving there in Jan. looking for thoughts on best way to keep in touch with friends in the states. I have an iphone with sprint. should i keep sprint and add international? add a sim card to existing? buy a thai phone and plan with international? Utilize messenger? appreciate ideas and experience out there

Ask Thailand · Answer

When moving to Thailand, there are several effective ways to keep in touch with friends in the U.S. using WiFi-based apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Line, which are commonly used in Thailand. It's advisable to consider getting a local Thai SIM card, as U.S. carriers like Sprint may not provide good service in Thailand. Many recommend dropping Sprint in favor of a Thai plan, which can be very affordable (less than $20/month). Alternatively, Google Voice can be utilized as a regular phone number for calls and texts. Overall, utilizing internet services through reliable local SIMs appears to be the most cost-effective and efficient method.

Terary ********** · Answer

I use google voice.  You can get a free phone number. Call to the USA like normal.  Friends can call you like normal.  It's a regular 10 digit phone number.

There are a couple of minor glitches.

You will need to associate the google phone number with one your friends/parents phones.  You and they will need to get text message and put it in the phone every 6 months or so.

Also  you will want to do this before you leave the US - it's just easier.

David ********* · Answer

LINE app , you will need in Thai anyhow / Facebook messenger or Whatsapp , or WeChat , all of these work well , plenty of WiFi around .

Wayne ******** · Answer

write letters are u that dumb x

Werner ******* · Answer

There's no reason to have Sprint or any other US carrier if you live here. You can get a Thai sim card and pay less than $20/month for phone and internet service if you want. It's SOOOO much cheaper here. As for talking with friends back home, install Line or WhatsApp, then tell your friends to do the same. Line is the big app here, really, and if you meet new people here in Thailand, you'll likely be exchanging Line contacts...

Robert ********** · Answer

Google voice has to be assigned to a USA cell but my workaround was to assign it to MagicJack/MagicApp, a voip service. Didn’t satisfy the bank though

Neil ********** · Answer

Get rid of sprint I had sprint when o moved here big rip off! Get a SIM card here it’s easy! And easy to call the states use 006 then 1 800 then rest of phone number. And can use messenger f/b   Viber many ways

Ryan *********** · Answer

We used our iPhones from Verizon, canceled our plans and got a plan and SIM with TrueMove. 320B / month unlimited . Using WhatsApp and Fb Messenger for videos. Or Google Hangout. No problems! 😁

Justin ********* · Answer

And while you’re at it, a Charles Schwab bank account. No fees for atm usage and fair conversions.

Justin ********* · Answer

Get a google voice number, not so much for talking to people but it’s super helpful when filling out applications and verifying phone numbers and such.

Keith ************* · Answer

Buy a oppo phone cheap and good Thai friendly .

Jason ******** · Answer

Sprint and Verizon, At&T don't work here. Different frequency, or something like that. I keep my Tmobile phone active to receive texts needed for verifications to log in to online accounts. Also, as back up data service when I need it.

What are the best ways to stay connected with friends in the US while living in Thailand?

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