Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You have two hand-phone options: you can buy a mobile phone in Thailand at
one of the urban shopping malls or phone stores near the markets in provincial
towns. Or you can use an imported phone that isn't SIM-locked (and one that sup-
ports the GSM network). SIM cards and refill cards (usually sold in 300B to 500B
denominations) can be bought from 7-Elevens throughout the country.
There are various promotions but rates typically hover at around 1B to 2B per
minute anywhere in Thailand and between 5B and 9B for international calls. SMS is
usually 3B per message, making it the cheapest 'talk' option.
Mobile Broadband
Thailand's telecommunications companies and state-owned agencies have been
wrangling over the 3G (mobile broadband platform) for so many years that the new-gener-
ation technology has since been surpassed by 4G. Thailand is the only Asean country not
to have the service despite a huge number of smartphone users. In 2010 and 2011, con-
tracts to operate the services were awarded and then suspended by the courts, approval
to import equipment has been delayed and now it looks like 2012 might be the year of 3G,
maybe.
Time
Thailand's time zone is seven hours ahead of GMT/UTC (London). At government
offices and local cinemas, times are often expressed according to the 24-hour
clock, e.g. 11pm is written '23.00'.
Toilets
Increasingly, the Asian-style squat toilet is less of the norm in Thailand. There are
still specimens in rural places, provincial bus stations, older homes and modest res-
taurants, but the Western-style toilet is becoming more prevalent and appears
wherever foreign tourists can be found.
If you encounter a squat, here's what you should know. You should straddle the
two footpads and face the door. To flush, use the plastic bowl to scoop water out of
the adjacent basin and pour into the toilet bowl. Some places supply a small pack of
