Trip to BKK/SIN

[tuapekastar]

A couple of questions for the panel:

1. MH apparently now uses the 'Louis Tavern' at BKK, after having previously used the TG lounge. I have heard some not-so-great reports re the LT. Should the QF lounge be open at the right time for me (1105 departure - and it looks like it probably will be) is it located not-too-distant from MH gates? (may be a YMMV question I guess). And can anyone tell me what the LT is like and whether it is worth using. I know there are CX and BA lounges (possibly closed ATM for reconstruction) and a JL lounge somewhere too, all of which I imagine I would have access to if they are open. Any advice much appreciated (won't be a huge deal, but may as well be as comfy as possible).

2. Have had a couple of good suggestions elsewhere for SIMs (BKK and SIN - only spending a few days in each and would like a little data and some local calls), and am googling my way through a few others - anything else to throw into the pot?

Thanks

 

[Happy Trails]

When are you travelling?
The new CX lounge was supposed to be opening later this month.
The QF lounge will likely be heaving with BA pax at your departure time.

 

[Austman]

A couple of questions for the panel:

1. MH apparently now uses the 'Louis Tavern' at BKK, after having previously used the TG lounge. I have heard some not-so-great reports re the LT. Should the QF lounge be open at the right time for me (1105 departure - and it looks like it probably will be) is it located not-too-distant from MH gates? (may be a YMMV question I guess). And can anyone tell me what the LT is like and whether it is worth using. I know there are CX and BA lounges (possibly closed ATM for reconstruction) and a JL lounge somewhere too, all of which I imagine I would have access to if they are open. Any advice much appreciated (won't be a huge deal, but may as well be as comfy as possible).

I was on MH a few weeks ago at BKK.

The LT lounge is actually not that bad at all. The CX reno had not been completed - so they were crowded in the single CX lounge that was open. CX said it's better to go to the QF lounge. The QF lounge was the best and was nearly empty at 11:00am to 1:45pm.

All 3 lounges are near each other and were close to the MH gate that my flight used on that day. But on another day all 3 lounges were quite far from the gate!

 

[tuapekastar]

When are you travelling?
The new CX lounge was supposed to be opening later this month.
The QF lounge will likely be heaving with BA pax at your departure time.

Cheers, flying out of BKK on Friday, so I guess chances are slim of new CX being open.

I was on MH a few weeks ago at BKK.

The LT lounge is actually not that bad at all. The CX reno had not been completed - so they were crowded in the single CX lounge that was open. CX said it's better to go to the QF lounge. The QF lounge was the best and was nearly empty at 11:00am to 1:45pm.

All 3 lounges are near each other and were close to the MH gate that my flight used on that day. But on another day all 3 lounges were quite far from the gate!

Thanks, I'm guessing it will be a summing up on the day situation. A positive note re LT lounge.

 

[JohnK]

And can anyone tell me what the LT is like and whether it is worth using.

Ordinary would be the best way to describe the Louis Tavern lounges.

I used the one in Concourse C a few months back and they had beers in the fridge but any spirits were poured by a lady behind a counter who looked extremely bored as I was interrupting her socialising. Went back a second time and if looks could kill.

The lounge in Concourse F was OK but still nothing special. Drinks are not under lock and key and you can serve yourself but they ran out of Gin and when I asked for a replacement bottle the lady staff member looked like she was going to have to go to SevenEleven to get it and pay for it out of her own pocket.

If the Qantas lounge is open then that is the best option.

 

[Archphoto]

A couple of questions for the panel:

1. MH apparently now uses the 'Louis Tavern' at BKK, after having previously used the TG lounge. I have heard some not-so-great reports re the LT. Should the QF lounge be open at the right time for me (1105 departure - and it looks like it probably will be) is it located not-too-distant from MH gates? (may be a YMMV question I guess). And can anyone tell me what the LT is like and whether it is worth using. I know there are CX and BA lounges (possibly closed ATM for reconstruction) and a JL lounge somewhere too, all of which I imagine I would have access to if they are open. Any advice much appreciated (won't be a huge deal, but may as well be as comfy as possible).

2. Have had a couple of good suggestions elsewhere for SIMs (BKK and SIN - only spending a few days in each and would like a little data and some local calls), and am googling my way through a few others - anything else to throw into the pot?

Thanks

AIS & True have sims at around $USD10; they both have signs in the terminal upon arrival in BKK which give the data on offer (along with calls).

I've used both, (AIS is my main provider) and unless you're heading to Koh Samui, either will be fine. AIS has wider TH coverage (99.9%), True has 4G (but Koh Samui seems to be a *huge* dead spot for them).

Both have "hotspots" around the city as well, that allow you to login to their "free wifi" - usually you get an sms that gives you the password to use these instead of your data allowance if you like.

 

[Archipelago]

Have used all providers in Thailand at one time or other, but I am on AIS (prepaid is called 12Call)
If you can get out to a 7-11/Family Mart, grab a sim card for 50 baht, and load up a couple of hundred baht credit.

Crash course in AIS prepaid sim

Either get a Thai staff member to activate it for you and ask them to change the SSID language into English (default is Thai)
OR - dial *700# then send 9, then 9, then 5, and finally 1 to change the language into English.

To top up, purchase the voucher at any 7-11/Family Mart etc. It will have a 12 digit code. Dial *120* <12 digit code> # to top up

*121# gets you your remaining credit and validity expiry.
Dial 9, then 3, then 2 to check your remaining data package

For short trips, there is a daily data package for only 49 baht. Dial *138*49# to activate

If you want other package options (7 days, a month etc) let me know, I am a code boffin (I don't get out much)

 

[tuapekastar]

Have used all providers in Thailand at one time or other, but I am on AIS (prepaid is called 12Call)
If you can get out to a 7-11/Family Mart, grab a sim card for 50 baht, and load up a couple of hundred baht credit.

Crash course in AIS prepaid sim

Either get a Thai staff member to activate it for you and ask them to change the SSID language into English (default is Thai)
OR - dial *700# then send 9, then 9, then 5, and finally 1 to change the language into English.

To top up, purchase the voucher at any 7-11/Family Mart etc. It will have a 12 digit code. Dial *120* <12 digit code> # to top up

*121# gets you your remaining credit and validity expiry.
Dial 9, then 3, then 2 to check your remaining data package

For short trips, there is a daily data package for only 49 baht. Dial *138*49# to activate

If you want other package options (7 days, a month etc) let me know, I am a code boffin (I don't get out much)

Cheers, afraid I'm back to this thread having already purchased a 'True' sim at the airport today for 299 baht. 1.5 GB (plenty) and some calls though I've had a couple of issues with that. Live and learn.

 

[Archipelago]

Cheers, afraid I'm back to this thread having already purchased a 'True' sim at the airport today for 299 baht. 1.5 GB (plenty) and some calls though I've had a couple of issues with that. Live and learn.

No worries, all the providers are pretty good in Thailand, True is no exception. Each have their pros and cons, but they all have more pros than cons.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[JohnK]

Cheers, afraid I'm back to this thread having already purchased a 'True' sim at the airport today for 299 baht. 1.5 GB (plenty) and some calls though I've had a couple of issues with that. Live and learn.

That's interesting. Didn't realise it was that cheap. I thought there was an initial setup cost. How long does the data last? I guess top-ups are cheaper? And if you have existing number you can keep that number?

So many questions. I don't need it but looking at options for my fiancée when she returns to Thailand next week. Feeling a little guilty pilfering her neighbours wifi. Not really. She's worried the password has changed.

 

[Archipelago]

That's interesting. Didn't realise it was that cheap. I thought there was an initial setup cost. How long does the data last? I guess top-ups are cheaper? And if you have existing number you can keep that number?

So many questions. I don't need it but looking at options for my fiancée when she returns to Thailand next week. Feeling a little guilty pilfering her neighbours wifi. Not really. She's worried the password has changed.

Sim cards are cheap to buy, free to set up, and the packages are very generous here.
Sim cards cost 50 baht, although you can pay more for premium numbers.

My current preferred data package is 399 baht + VAT which gives 1.5 Gb data, along with a further bonus of 3GB (total 4.5 Gb), 30 days validity, and free access to the AIS wifi hotspots country wide. DTAC & True have identical packages.

Across all the major Thai telcos, data packages last 30 days, with no roll over.
Many of them can be set up for auto-renewal, ie if you have sufficient credit balance on the day the package expires it will automatically deduct the amount and activate the same package for another 30 days.

Validity: For each top up/recharge you apply to your prepaid sim, your account validity extends by another 30 days up to a maximum of 12 months. You can also purchase 'validity extensions' for a small amount to keep your number alive. For example - for 12Call, a 20 baht top-up extends the validity by a month, so recharging up to 12 x 20 baht gives you peace of mind for a year, and you keep your number. Useful for infrequent trips or usage.

Important note: From 1st July 2015, all Thailand sim cards must be registered with the respective providers (using photo ID, ID card, D/L or passport)
After that date, unregistered sims will be restricted, and eventually de-registered if they are not subsequently registered.

For visiting friends/relatives/colleagues etc who come to Thailand infrequently, I usually keep their numbers alive for them with small recharges as needed, and then I throw a few hundred baht and a new data package just before they arrive so they are straight off the plane and good to go.
I also keep several spare sims active to loan to visitors who don't have a Thai number and come to visit.

 

[Archipelago]

...Both have "hotspots" around the city as well, that allow you to login to their "free wifi" - usually you get an sms that gives you the password to use these instead of your data allowance if you like.

Just a note on this - not all packages include free access to the wifi hotspots, only packages above a certain amount. If you have no package, or one that doesn't include free wifi access - you invariably get a charge deducted from your account balance when you first apply for the wifi password by sms.

 

[JohnK]

My current preferred data package is 399 baht + VAT which gives 1.5 Gb data, along with a further bonus of 3GB (total 4.5 Gb), 30 days validity, and free access to the AIS wifi hotspots country wide. DTAC & True have identical packages.

That is the one I was aware of and is a little too expensive for my liking.

Across all the major Thai telcos, data packages last 30 days, with no roll over.
Many of them can be set up for auto-renewal, ie if you have sufficient credit balance on the day the package expires it will automatically deduct the amount and activate the same package for another 30 days.

The 30 days expiry gets me. 1.5GB is way too much data and when one pays for it should be able to use it.

Important note: From 1st July 2015, all Thailand sim cards must be registered with the respective providers (using photo ID, ID card, D/L or passport)
After that date, unregistered sims will be restricted, and eventually de-registered if they are not subsequently registered.

For visiting friends/relatives/colleagues etc who come to Thailand infrequently, I usually keep their numbers alive for them with small recharges as needed, and then I throw a few hundred baht and a new data package just before they arrive so they are straight off the plane and good to go.
I also keep several spare sims active to loan to visitors who don't have a Thai number and come to visit.

Thanks for reminding me. My fiancee mentioned that we need to register my sim card but we forgot to do it.

Each trip I top up 2-3 times and it extends the validity of my sim card to 12 months which is the maximum.

 

[Archipelago]

Hi JohnK

There are other packages if 1.5Gb is too much - on months where I am not here that much I often change to a more suitable package.
There are also time based packages too which are far more economical.

Examples
150 baht for 150 mb, 30 days
149 baht for 30 hours to be used over 30 days.
69 baht for 7 days - shaped package, but just for browsing and emails its fantastic (one of my preferred short term packages)
49 baht for a 24 hour unlimited package
10 baht for a shaped 24 hour package

Let me know if you want more details. There are so many different options, so it won't be hard to find one that fits the bill

 

[JohnK]

Let me know if you want more details. There are so many different options, so it won't be hard to find one that fits the bill

Thanks. My fiancee uses Facebook and we chat using Gmail. Yes email back and forth I find the easiest because then I can pick it up at home, work or on mobile phone.

Very difficult to get her to research these things. I was going to ask around when I am there again in 3 weeks.

I was thinking somewhere around the 500MB should be enough but the 150MB package could be worth a try when she goes back next week. I am guessing we can use existing sim card and then tether the phone to her laptop. Need to get her another phone as the current one is not that good. It was good for a while but now it is not good.

 

[tuapekastar]

I cannot offer details as offered by the previous (very helpful) posters. I just wanted to get something and get on my way. I think my data validity was 7 days, no idea on voice/sim though I think it may be a month? Every time I make a local it tells me 'please top up , your remaining credit is zero baht', then connects me. I'm only here 3 or 4 days, just wanted to be able to use data when I needed it and make a few calls. I will read the fine print they gave me when I get a chance. I will plan a bit more if (when) I return.

 

[Archipelago]

I cannot offer details as offered by the previous (very helpful) posters. I just wanted to get something and get on my way. I think my data validity was 7 days, no idea on voice/sim though I think it may be a month? Every time I make a local it tells me 'please top up , your remaining credit is zero baht', then connects me. I'm only here 3 or 4 days, just wanted to be able to use data when I needed it and make a few calls. I will read the fine print they gave me when I get a chance. I will plan a bit more if (when) I return.

Hi tuapekastar

This link will be more than helpful for you, contains shortcodes and links for the major Thai carriers, including the True sim you got.

Keypress Codes for DTAC, 1-2 Call and True Move - ThaiPrepaidCard

 

[AdMEL]

Along similar lines to the OP, I'll be in Thailand (Krabi and coughet and possibly one of the nearby islands) for 10 days in two weeks' time and may require a data sim for my iPad Air 2 - I'm thinking 500mb will be plenty. Any suggestions?