Thailand Dialling Code: How to Make and Receive Cheap International Calls to and From a Thai Mobile Phone.

Do you want to save money calling to and from a Thai mobile phone? Here’s how. Outlined are some useful hints and tips about calling the UK (including many other countries) from Thailand, and vice versa. Further included is information about international calling codes and a step by step guide on how to make cheap calls to premium rate numbers from a Thai mobile phone.

There are a variety of international calling cards that can be bought in Thailand, but for now I will explain one good example, 'Thook Dee'.The beauty of this card is that it can be purchased pretty much anywhere in Thailand (stocked in every 7eleven). Perfect for when your on the move. The minimum amount is 100 baht, about £2/US $3.50 and receive about 80 minutes calling time to a UK land line as an example. Below is table containing a small list of international calling codes and rates when using this card. If you require any other codes/rates please feel free to get in touch.

One great thing about this card is that you can use it from your mobile phone in Thailand, assuming you already have a Thai SIM card installed. If you don’t have a Thai SIM card I would recommend Dtac as a provider. It’s inexpensive (50baht) and Prepay calling/text rates within Thailand are cheap. Once a Thai SIM is installed, purchase the Thook Dee calling card, follow the instructions and you’re ready to make cheap international calls.

Since living in Thailand I have discovered a very cheeky way of saving a potentially large amount of money when having to call premium rate UK services from a Thai mobile. As you may know, many companies you may find yourself having to call whilst abroad use premium numbers charging ridiculous rates. Banks, insurance companies and mobile phone companies are some of the culprits who use numbers beginning with 0845, 0844, 0870, and 0871 for example. The rates charged calling these numbers are expensive and unnecessary at home, let alone from your mobile phone overseas.

I’m sure there are many who have already had the pleasure, as have I, and ended up with an astronomical phone bill on returning home to compliment the holiday blues. There’s no point in being out of pocket just for making a telephone call.

Here I am sharing a clever method to avoid big bills and save you extra cash to spend on things that really matter, like cocktails and elephant trekking.

If you are not already aware, a very useful website exists in order to obtain standard UK landline numbers in replacement of extortionate premium rate numbers. The website is called Say No to 0870. It requires a straightforward process of simply entering a premium rate number and/or company name into the boxes provided. A standard UK landline number (masked and hidden from your knowledge by money grabbers) will then magically appear!

This number can now be used at the standard (normal) landline rate, and will cost only 1 baht a minute from your Thai mobile phone (using the Thook Dee calling card)!! Quid’s in. An absolutely brilliant find if I don’t mind saying so myself. Here’s a step by step to help you get started.

*Note. This only applies to the U.K.

** Toll free numbers (1800, 1866, 1877, 1888) to the U.S.A are charged at 1 baht a minute.

On the other side of the water is always good for family and friends to be able to contact you whilst overseas. After living abroad for nearly three years a phone call from home always makes my day. Having no fixed abode and constantly moving means my main form of communication is a mobile phone, especially when there's no internet around!

In the past calling a mobile phone from a landline wouldn’t have been a feasible way of contact. However, nowadays in a seemingly shrinking globe with many people living abroad, prices for such luxuries have been driven low by fierce competition. Calling from the UK to Thailand (from landline to mobile) can now cost as little as 1p a minute. Not exactly breaking the bank is it.

One such company that many of my family members use when calling Thailand is discount dial. Call quality is generally good however sometimes a call back is needed due to line interference. But for these prices, who cares? I’m aware there are many more companies that provide such services which I aim to research and discuss here at a later date.

If you are unfamiliar with calling abroad you always need to dial international calling codes before entering the entire number. The Thailand dialling code is +66. When making and international call always drop the first digit of the number you are trying to call. In this case Thai mobile phones begin with 0. Simply drop the 0 then enter the rest of the number and dial.

Remember:

+ (country code)> (drop the 0)> (phone number)

+ 66 (0) 881 284 884

*Note. Thai mobile numbers have 10 and landlines have 9 digits as opposed English numbers which both have 11.

*Please note. I am aware that many people use Skype these days, and yes this is one of the most convenient and cost effective ways of communication worldwide. However, the author has highlighted techniques resulting from experience as a backpacker, whose grandparents aren't quite up to speed with technology (sorry grandma) and prefer to use traditional methods of communication telephoning. I hope found something of use here and and ultimately saved yourself some pennies.

Thanks for stopping by. If you are interested about Thailand, you may find my other hubs useful.

Information About Asia: Riding a Motorbike in Asia.

Thai Language: Basic Phrases and Thai Words.

Thai Culture and Customs.

Thai Culture and Customs: The 'Wai' Greeting. Sawas Dee Krap!

Information about Southeast Asia.

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