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

communicationexpat lifestaying connectedmobile plans in ThailandSIM cardssmartphone usagesocial mediaVoIP services
Nov 21, 2019
5 years ago
Ernie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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
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TLDR : Answer Summary
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 **********
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.
5 years ago
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David *********
LINE app , you will need in Thai anyhow / Facebook messenger or Whatsapp , or WeChat , all of these work well , plenty of WiFi around .
5 years ago
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Wayne ********
write letters are u that dumb x
5 years ago
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Werner *******
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...
5 years ago
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Robert **********
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
5 years ago
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Neil **********
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
5 years ago
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Ryan ***********
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! 😁
5 years ago
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Justin *********
And while you’re at it, a Charles Schwab bank account. No fees for atm usage and fair conversions.
5 years ago
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Robert **********
@Justin ****
 I got that (open from USA, they have a fit if you call/log in from overseas), but the best deal is capital one, if you live overseas. I have debit and credit cards, no foreign transaction fees and normal exchange rate. Make sure they ring up purchases in thai baht, ATMs still charge ฿200 (by thai banks). I have a thai bank account which I top up with TransferWise.
5 years ago
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Robert **********
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Justin *********
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.
5 years ago
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Keith *************
Buy a oppo phone cheap and good Thai friendly .
5 years ago
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Jason ********
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.
5 years ago
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Robert **********
@Jason *******
 sprint and Verizon work in CDMA, which is technologically different then GSM, used by T-Mobile, ATT, and all Thai carriers. However, iPhones have modems for both, so you can get a thai SIM card. Then you can have Google Maps, Facebook, etc, and use you line or Whatsapp. That being said, make sure your phone is unlocked. Especially many T-Mobile’s are locked. If you are staying in Thailand permanently, think carefully about giving up your USA cell phone account. I put mine on a Google Voice so I can get the texts from banks and credit cards, but recently they’ve started a thing where you have to have a real, American working cell phone, they verify with your carrier, not just have you enter the code.
5 years ago
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Robert **********
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Keith *********
Use facebk or "Line". Both have free mess. and free call/video call.
5 years ago
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Stéfan ********
Facebook/messenger and stick to the internet
5 years ago
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Roy ***********
I believe normal phone companies are not the best or cheapest way to communicate.

With good internet, which is all around, Messenger and Whatsapp are fine. I use Skype also to make a few calls. I am not sure if Messenger and Whatsapp can call landlines, that is why I use Skype. Very cheap, I am too lazy to look for an alternative.
5 years ago
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Shauno *******
Use Facebook messenger or WhatsApp use wifi
5 years ago
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Matthew *******
Messenger

WiFi everywhere you go
5 years ago
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Matthew *******
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