Mobile or cellular phone services are of excellent standard in the cities and suburbs of Thailand especially around Bangkok. They are also quite satisfactory in Phuket, Phi Phi and their adjacent islands. Thailand’s cellular communications include tri-band or GSM 900/1800/1900 network communications. Available network operators in Thailand are Total Access Communications Co (DTAC), Digital Phone Company Ltd (GSM 1800), Advanced Info Services (TH AIS) and True Move (formerly Orange).

If you need to remain in touch with your friends, families or colleagues away from Phuket or Thailand, check to the availability of international roaming option with the package offered by your cellular operator. Remember that international roaming service could be very costly since they include tariffs for incoming calls from abroad (in this case from outside Thailand). A way around this costly option is diverting calls to send text messages or SMS. International SMS or text messaging services are cheap and they can convey the emergency/essential messages easily. This is a very affordable and easy option to keep in touch with your friends and family while you are enjoying your holiday trip to Phuket.

Pre-paid SIM cards are also available along with mobile phones in most of the phone shops in Phuket. They are useful when you have planned a long stay in Phuket. These SIM cards may cost you around 300 THB with an occasional unlocking charge when you want to use a different SIM card in your phone. Getting a pre-paid SIM card is easy – all you need is the cash and the copy of your passport.

Call rates within Thailand are very cheap. Local calls and nation-wide calls may cost you a maximum 5 THB/minute. Calls to international destinations are also priced very reasonably. Having a local SIM allows you to receive free incoming international calls.

Your post-paid cellular subscription in Thailand or Phuket for instance, would necessitate a work permit. Comparing to pre-paid, post-paid or subscribed options are far more affordable (as low as 2 THB/minute). These rates vary network to network and during seasonal/periodic promotional campaigns by the operators.