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[kliome]

I often make calls to Thailand when I'm in the UK and I thought I'd let my good people in on some of the tips, tricks and cheapest ways I have found to make these calls.

Using a landline:

The cheapest way I have found to call Thai mobile numbers from a UK landline is by using a BT line and dialing via a 'net server number' (e.g. www.planetcalling.com - there are many other such services)

These are usually 0844 numbers which then connect you to a phone line via an internet server. Basically you are paying to call a local internet call server and they are connecting your call via the internet, rather than you dialing Thailand directly (I'm probably making it sound more complicated than it is..).

Even more basically, you dial the 0844 number, wait for the connection message and then dial the Thai mobikle number, including international code (e,g, 00 66 8688....) and you'll only be charged for a local call.

Using a BT line these calls cost 2p or 3p a minute to Thaia mobile and landlines, which is amazing, making calls to Thailing cheaper than calls to your mate next door. (This usually works for making most international calls, although not always using the same numbers)

Some good numbers I use are ( 2p/3p per minute):
08449729700 (2p)
08449850011 (3p)
08445938900 (3p)
08700413488 (3p) (can also be used as a free call on some mobile networks - using free minutes!)

All work and the connection quality is equal to calling directly. The prices are using a BT landline, if you use a different service you should check the prices as they may be more.

Calling from a UK Mobile.

If you have free minutes on an exsiting contract you should be able to use 07744939700, thus giving you free calls to Thailand. If not this number should be charged as a call to a mobile on 'another network'.

The best alternative is purchasing a MOBILE WORLD 'pay as you go' sim card. This is a recent venture by carphone warehouse and can be bought at any of their stores for about £10, including £10 free credit. It's a card developed specifically for making international calls on a pay as you go basis.

Call prices to Thailand are 10p per minute (landline/mobile)It's also very useful for calls to most other major countries e.g..
USA 5p per min
AUS 6p
Most European Countries 7p
It's an amazing deal, almost too good to be true. And I think they use the TMobile network now, so coverage and signal is excellent.

All text messages are 15p to any country.
Calling UK landlines and mobiles as 15p per min (all calls/times) and 7p for messages.

It's definitely worth having if only to be used as a second sim.

Tesco Mobile also has very good rates for Thailand, but not quite as good. About 20p per min to call Thailand when using their 'Extra' sim (minimum £15 top up per week) when I last checked.