I directed him to http://www.mobile-broadband.ie/ where he is able to get a mobile broadband or wifi dongle on pay as you go. This is ideal for working as a parcel courier giving him internet access on the go via his laptop. If he goes for he wif option he will be able to connect any other wifi device he many have such as a mobile phone or music player to the web. The site also has information on all sim cards available in Ireland from each of the mobile phone providers. They are also on twitter @mb_ie always willing to answer questions on mobile broadband, sims and phone plans making them an ideal resorce and one I would recommend for anyone in the same position.

I have added him to my personal twitter account and it has been very interesting keeping an eye to his tweets and getting his view of europe. If there is anyone else traveling west I would be interested in hearing your story also!

Thailand Topup

So your in Thailand or Bangkok and want to top up a phone. There is lots of options but a network I wold recomend is AIS one 2 call. This is probably the best for value, coverage and customer services. In adition they have the maximum way for you when toping up a phone in Thailand.

Like every network you can have a prepay top up card and load credit onto this. You can also use ATM Bank points, Online Banking and Phnoe Banking if you have a smart phone. You can also top up directly from your phone via your credit card.

There is also Mpay, refil on your mobile, etop up (online), and SMS top up.

24 Hour Top Ups

You can top up your thailand mobile phone 24 hours a day by the following methods.

• Etop Up
• SMS
• ATM
• Phone Banking
• Online Banking

More info can be found here http://www.ais.co.th/12call/en/topup.html

Mobiles in thailand

If you got an unlocked mobile phone it is possible this will work for you in thailand provided you have the correct sim card when you get there. Telecoms are one of the more expensive things in Thailand so it is essential to prepare.

If however, you feel your mobile phone is too expensive to take traveling and you just want something cheap it is worth while exploring your options before you travel. Mobiles in Thailand as I have mentioned are on the costly side. However, if you visit companies such as carphone warehouse it is possible to get a basic pay go mobile phone from just £2.95. There is a small catch with this phone and that is you need to add a Tenner top up before you can own it! The reason why I suggest carphone warehouse is because all their mobile phones are unlocked and this makes placing a sim card for thailand within them a simple process as you dont have to find an unlocking code.

One point you will need to remember is that I do suggest getting a cheap mobile, but you do need to be aware that this needs to be a worldwide usable phone. How you will know if this phone will be suited is by checking its specification and see if it is a QuadBand Phone. If it is then your all systems go!

The phone in the picture above is the actual style of handset available for just £2.95!

Using A Tablet PC in Thailand

If you are going backpacking or traveling to Thailand a fantastic way of keeping in touch is with a Tablet PC. They are light, easy to use and tablets such as the Ipad have fantastic battery life. You can email, surf the web and much more instantly. The only draw back to using a tablet pc in Thailand is that using a tablet sim can prove very costly. But, do not despair the tablet pc is still a fantastic option!

In Thailand there is lots of wifi hotspots that will enable you to get online for free! There are many thailand wifi hotspots for you to use combinde with free producs such as skype meaning you can stay in touch with people back home for free.

I was on thailand a few weeks back and my tablet ipad was amazing, there was many local cafes and bars that I used to get on their wifi all for the price of a coffee. The hotel I stayed in had free wifi, this enabled my to skype friends and family back home at no extra cost. I did use my 3G on a few occasions but I would not recomend this unless it is only for an emergancy or you need to send important emails etc. My Tablet sim data plan was a pay per day option, this ment on a day I sent one email I was charged the full days data and being on the other side of the world it was £20 for 250MB data!

Quickly I started checking out all the free wifi hotspots and was online up to several hours per day for free in Thailand! The Ipad enabled me to save on broadband costs, mobile calling and incoming call and text charges! I feel the tablet pc is the future now!

Related to Post

• Tablet Sim Card
• Wifi Hotspots Thailand

Sim From 0044

A good offer is the sim from 0044 which can give you calls from just 6p and no roaming charges! You will be on the 12call network. This is a Pay As You Go Option.

Price – £34.99
Credit -£6.00
Local Calls – 6p per minute
Same Network Calls – 6p per minute
Other Networks – 14 pence per minute
Local Text Message – 14 pence per minute
Calls to UK & Ireland From Thailand – 30 pence per minute
Call to America – 40 pence per minute
Call to Asia- 40 pence per minute
Call to Africa – 40 pence per minute
Incoming Texts – 16p

The Sim From 0044 offers a fantastic option for people to call you if you select this sim. From the UK They can call you for 1p per minute, and this is free for you to receive. The Number they call is 0844 869 0044. There is no registration required!

Incoming Calls – ‘FREE’
VOICE MAIL – FREE

Contact Info

• email info@0044.co.uk
• website www.0044.co.uk

This story sim card is free to receive calls in over 80 countries. Check out the story telecom coverage for receiving calls and making calls while in Thailand.

Again this is a pay as you go sim and not one of the sim contracts that are more popular in the UK. If you want you can set the story sim card to auto topup. This is a great idea and you can set this that it will auto top up when you credit reaches £3, ensuring you dont run out!

If this is not for you check out what we feel is the best sim for thailand.

A global sim in Thailand is better optained prior to leaving the UK. It will set you back £19.99 and you will get £10 credit. The tru membership is £19.99 gives you 1 month access to local services. This is the best sim for thailand as it is pay as you go and not a contract sim. You can also set the tru sim for thailandto auto top up so you never run out of credit. Do keep this in mind if you loose your phone, ensuring you cancel auto top up.

Another reason why the tru sim the best sim for thailand is you get to keep your UK phone number, this saves you of having to remember more numbers. The beat kept secret of this sim card is you dont pay anything for receiving calls in thailand!