Phone

TELEPHONES: Public pay phones are everywhere and straightforward enough. For local calls, use most public phones, except where indicated as ‘international’. Pay phones take B1-5 coins. Many are somewhat unreliable, best buy a phonecard (B25-1,000) for use in pay phones labeled ‘card phone’. Available from hotels, Thailand Post and convenience stores. Area codes have recently been incorporated into the local telephone number so even when calling from the same city, the entire number, including area code, must be dialed. As implied by the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT), phone numbers nationwide begin with ‘0’ (zero), followed by 2 groups of 4 digits each (0-2611-3213). CAT has a list of country codes and info on making int’l calls from Thailand (www.cattelecom.com).

The international country dialing code for Thailand is +66. The outgoing code is 001, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00144 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. Bangkok is (0)2 and Chiang Mai is (0)53. International direct dial facilities are available throughout most of the country.

MOBILE / CELLULAR PHONES : Inexpensive and easily accessible to visitors. GSM 900 or 1800 mobile phones are compatible with prepaid SIM cards sold at local phone shops; refillable calling cards sold department stores, supermarket and convenience stores.