Using a new SIM in Thailand

[RyanDavison1]

Hi, you kindly unlocked my phone for me so I can use a SIM from another carrier. I am travelling abroad in Thailand. I bought a SIM and entered it into my device going through the activation phase, however, I got no connection to enable me to use my phone, I had to hotspot from my girlfriends phone. Do you have any ideas why I can’t use the SIM? R 

[BandOfBrothers]

If Vodafone Uk agrees to unlock a phone then it'll accept any countries network sim card @RyanDavison1 

Did the Thailand Network's name show in tne phone's status bar or did it say something else ?

I'm wondering if the Thailand Sim Card was faulty or not activated or their network was experiencing issues.

Can you try another activated network sim card in your phone.

The other option is your phone does not have the bands and frequencies to work on the Thailand Network. Google for your make and model of phone and look for the gsmarena site which shows a phone bands and frequencies and then Google what the Thailand networks frequencies and bands are.

However that said as you've posted in the iOS boards an iPhone should have no issues as they usually have all the bands and frequencies required for use across the globe.

Or another reason is your phone is glitching.

Take out the sim and give the chips wipe with a soft cloth and reinsert it then try manually closing the various networks that are available if applicable.

🌈 Stay Safe  🌈 

[AnnS]

Hi @RyanDavison1 

I thought Thai borders were still closed to incoming tourists.

If the phone has been unlocked there is no valid reason to be unable to use a local prepaid SIM.

When you purchase a SIM in Thailand it is mandatory that the SIM is registered and you would have needed to provide your passport for identity purposes at the point of purchase, this would have then been photogaphed and uploaded to servers. I am wondering if this is connected with you being unable to use the local Thai network.

[RyanDavison1]

Thanks,

Yes they still are but I arrived in October last year. 

i purchased the SIM at a local 7-Eleven using my passport and had my photo taken, so it should have been registered. I haven’t yet paid for a pay as you go package on the phone with this SIM, I simply bought the SIM at 49 Baht but with that it should still register with the TRUE network, next to the signal bar, once the SIM is inserted, instead of reading NO Service? Or could the fact I haven’t selected my pay as you go package be the problem do you think?

R

[AnnS]

Definitely @RyanDavison1 

Try selecting the PAYG package and you should have a connection to the Thai network. If you have any problems the Thai network should be able to help.