Thailand - Connectivity, VPN and living

[natkejs]

Hello world,

Looks like I'll be spending some time in Thailand this winter and could be using some help from you guys that have experience working out of there.

Tips regarding locations with broadband and ISP's to use would be appreciated as well as the best VPN services to use.

Also any tips for dealing with the estate market. I plan to rent a condo, how much can I expect them trying to rip me off? Are we talking double the price, or 5x the price. Basically, how much room is there to negotiate as a foreigner?

Thanks,
Dario

[AdultKing]

I use True for Intenet, costs very little speed is good and reliability is no issue. You need a phone and adsl connection, you just go to a True shop with your pasport and visa and you'll be right.

I dont know about renting , I own a house in Bangkok. It worked out at around $200k Australian for a gorgeous place in a soi off Sukhumvit road. You need a company to do this, contact Sunbelt Asia and they will help you out.

Edit: In Thailand most things are negotiable, even tea money that the police demand from you when you're riding past a traffic check on your scooter

[DWB]

Originally Posted by natkejs

Hello world,

Looks like I'll be spending some time in Thailand this winter and could be using some help from you guys that have experience working out of there.

Tips regarding locations with broadband and ISP's to use would be appreciated as well as the best VPN services to use.

What city?

Most people working here use a VPN, which slows the already slow net down even more. I use StrongVPN.com. I don't know if it's the best, but it works well for me.

Originally Posted by natkejs

Also any tips for dealing with the estate market. I plan to rent a condo, how much can I expect them trying to rip me off? Are we talking double the price, or 5x the price. Basically, how much room is there to negotiate as a foreigner?

If you are renting, the biggest issue is if you get to pay the electric and water company direct or not. Many landlords want you to pay THEM directly, and they double and sometimes triple your bill. This can add up very fast.

Example, the government rate for 1 unit of power is around 3baht. That is what you will pay if you deal directly with the electric company. It is not uncommon for landlords (especially Chinese/Thai landlords) to charge you 5, 7, 10, and even 12baht for 1 unit of power. So an electric bill that should normally only cost you $100, now costs, $230, $330 and so on. They do the same with water. So knowing who you pay for power and water is important unless you just want to throw money around.

It is also not uncommon for some condo buildings to have special deals with internet companies, which means you are stuck using whatever they have. So you need to find out if you are allowed to install your own internet, from a provider of your choice.

Room rate can be negotiated sometimes. A few thousand baht maybe, or more if you are willing to pay them more in advance. However, you really have to be careful doing that here because until you've slept a full night or two in the place, you really don't know the kind of noise or issues you may have. Example, there is a nearby club nearby with an outdoor band playing until 4am. Not a big deal unless you go to sleep at midnight. But if you get a nice condo in a good area, you shouldn't have this problem. Things to look out for when choosing one... night clubs, motorbike repair shops, karaoke bars, intersections, and anything else that may cause lots of noise.

[AdultKing]

I really think he should touch base with the guys at Sunbelt, they'll be able to help somewhat.

[sojproductions]

Sound advice from DWB above, regards the ISPs, true is ok as mentioned and TOT seem to be getting their act together lately, avoid 3bb internet. i use streamvia.com's vpn, it's pretty good.

[AdultKing]

Originally Posted by sojproductions

Sound advice from DWB above, regards the ISPs, true is ok as mentioned and TOT seem to be getting their act together lately, avoid 3bb internet. i use streamvia.com's vpn, it's pretty good.

The best thing about True is the deals they will do on pay tv if you have their internet.

[MaDalton]

dont know where you want to go but i made very good experiences with www.siamrealestate.com

they are based in Phuket and most of their offers are from there

[natkejs]

Originally Posted by AdultKing

I use True for Intenet, costs very little speed is good and reliability is no issue. You need a phone and adsl connection, you just go to a True shop with your pasport and visa and you'll be right.

I dont know about renting , I own a house in Bangkok. It worked out at around $200k Australian for a gorgeous place in a soi off Sukhumvit road. You need a company to do this, contact Sunbelt Asia and they will help you out.

Edit: In Thailand most things are negotiable, even tea money that the police demand from you when you're riding past a traffic check on your scooter

Thanks for the tip, I have contacted Sunbelt and will see about visiting their office when I arrive in Bangkok.

I am somewhat leaning towards just staying in hotels vs. renting a condo, gives me more freedom to move around, but will explore all options.

Regarding police I think they ripped me off last time, 400 bath for driving without a helmet lol

[natkejs]

Originally Posted by DWB

What city?

Most people working here use a VPN, which slows the already slow net down even more. I use StrongVPN.com. I don't know if it's the best, but it works well for me.




If you are renting, the biggest issue is if you get to pay the electric and water company direct or not. Many landlords want you to pay THEM directly, and they double and sometimes triple your bill. This can add up very fast.

Example, the government rate for 1 unit of power is around 3baht. That is what you will pay if you deal directly with the electric company. It is not uncommon for landlords (especially Chinese/Thai landlords) to charge you 5, 7, 10, and even 12baht for 1 unit of power. So an electric bill that should normally only cost you $100, now costs, $230, $330 and so on. They do the same with water. So knowing who you pay for power and water is important unless you just want to throw money around.

It is also not uncommon for some condo buildings to have special deals with internet companies, which means you are stuck using whatever they have. So you need to find out if you are allowed to install your own internet, from a provider of your choice.

Room rate can be negotiated sometimes. A few thousand baht maybe, or more if you are willing to pay them more in advance. However, you really have to be careful doing that here because until you've slept a full night or two in the place, you really don't know the kind of noise or issues you may have. Example, there is a nearby club nearby with an outdoor band playing until 4am. Not a big deal unless you go to sleep at midnight. But if you get a nice condo in a good area, you shouldn't have this problem. Things to look out for when choosing one... night clubs, motorbike repair shops, karaoke bars, intersections, and anything else that may cause lots of noise.

Great advice, will be keeping these things in mind.

I was thinking of staying in the south at first, have an event to attend on Koh Tao for new year. Then move towards Bangkok for a month or two and finally Chiang Mai, because I miss that place. Talking about a 6 months period.

In the end it may be a better idea to just go with hotels though, I know condos can be rented for shorter times if you pay more but may not be worth the hassle. Just thinking the internet situation would be better in a condo vs. a hotel.

Kind of wish there was a Wikipedia page with all the cities that has ADSL/broadband widely available. Unfortunately they only list the ISP's.

[natkejs]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

dont know where you want to go but i made very good experiences with www.siamrealestate.com

they are based in Phuket and most of their offers are from there

I think Phuket is a little bit off my path. Do want to spend time in the south but on the east coast, I'm one of those trance freaks and that's where the parties are at.

But who knows, plans may change so thanks for the link

[MaDalton]

why dont you get an android 2.3 phone and a data sim card? you can use the phone as hot spot and have internet everywhere. and according to the advertising i saw there you get like 6 or 8 mbit download via 3g for like 1000 baht per month (dont remember the numbers exactly)

[DWB]

Originally Posted by AdultKing

I really think he should touch base with the guys at Sunbelt, they'll be able to help somewhat.

Yea, they are a helpful group. They are pretty good at getting long term visas too.

Originally Posted by natkejs

Regarding police I think they ripped me off last time, 400 bath for driving without a helmet lol

I think it's usually 200b, but even at 400b it's a steal considering what fines are in your home country. I ended up with a $1000 jay walking ticket in California once, and here I literally drive my scooter on the sidewalk, as does everyone else.

Originally Posted by natkejs

In the end it may be a better idea to just go with hotels though, I know condos can be rented for shorter times if you pay more but may not be worth the hassle. Just thinking the internet situation would be better in a condo vs. a hotel.

If you're moving around so much, I'd just stay on hotels or guest houses. Most condos will want 30 days minimum. Use LateStays.com and you can find some great deals on nice hotels if that is how you like to travel. Otherwise, wing it. No shortages of hotels. Pack light, no obligations, no worries. Makes for a better vacation.

[AdultKing]

Originally Posted by natkejs

Thanks for the tip, I have contacted Sunbelt and will see about visiting their office when I arrive in Bangkok.

A close friend of mine works with Sunbelt, if you hit me up and let me know when you are planning to arrive I'd be glad to show you about. I am there irregularly but will be there in October.

[DWB]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

why dont you get an android 2.3 phone and a data sim card? you can use the phone as hot spot and have internet everywhere. and according to the advertising i saw there you get like 6 or 8 mbit download via 3g for like 1000 baht per month (dont remember the numbers exactly)

Thailand is still struggling with 3g. A couple of places have it but coverage is very limited.

It's embarrassing really. They have 3g in North Korea, Laos, and the top of Mount Everest, but Thailand can't get it together. They are still figuring out how to corrupt it. Once they figure that out, Thailand will have it everywhere but it will probably be broken and slower than it should be. I have faith they will screw it up somehow, as they do everything else.

Funny thing is, phone stores are now using a sales pitch of new phones having 4g. It's going to be 10+ years before Thailand moves to 4g.

[MaDalton]

Originally Posted by DWB

Thailand is still struggling with 3g. A couple of places have it but coverage is very limited.

It's embarrassing really. They have 3g in North Korea, Laos, and the top of Mount Everest, but Thailand can't get it together. They are still figuring out how to corrupt it. Once they figure that out, Thailand will have it everywhere but it will probably be broken and slower than it should be. I have faith they will screw it up somehow, as they do everything else.

Funny thing is, phone stores are now using a sales pitch of new phones having 4g. It's going to be 10+ years before Thailand moves to 4g.

[natkejs]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

why dont you get an android 2.3 phone and a data sim card? you can use the phone as hot spot and have internet everywhere. and according to the advertising i saw there you get like 6 or 8 mbit download via 3g for like 1000 baht per month (dont remember the numbers exactly)

Not a bad idea, it's actually supported in 2.2 and later

Originally Posted by DWB

Thailand is still struggling with 3g. A couple of places have it but coverage is very limited.

It's embarrassing really. They have 3g in North Korea, Laos, and the top of Mount Everest, but Thailand can't get it together. They are still figuring out how to corrupt it. Once they figure that out, Thailand will have it everywhere but it will probably be broken and slower than it should be. I have faith they will screw it up somehow, as they do everything else.

Funny thing is, phone stores are now using a sales pitch of new phones having 4g. It's going to be 10+ years before Thailand moves to 4g.

Just when I thought my internet issues was solved lol... but how limited is limited? Are we talking like downtown Bangkok only or would it work in most larger cities, on the tourist spots etc?

Originally Posted by AdultKing

A close friend of mine works with Sunbelt, if you hit me up and let me know when you are planning to arrive I'd be glad to show you about. I am there irregularly but will be there in October.

Thanks mate, will be spending a few days in Bangkok in mid November before heading down south.

What kind of fees does the agencies charge btw? From South America I'm used to them taking one month of rent as "finders fee". Not a good deal if you're just staying for a month or two in the condo.

[AdultKing]

Originally Posted by natkejs

Not a bad idea, it's actually supported in 2.2 and later



Just when I thought my internet issues was solved lol... but how limited is limited? Are we talking like downtown Bangkok only or would it work in most larger cities, on the tourist spots etc?


Thanks mate, will be spending a few days in Bangkok in mid November before heading down south.

What kind of fees does the agencies charge btw? From South America I'm used to them taking one month of rent as "finders fee". Not a good deal if you're just staying for a month or two in the condo.

Dont pay a finders fee to anyone. Hop over to a Century 21 office and someone will help you out. If they're really good to you buy them a bottle of wine or flowers as a gesture of goodwill.

[DWB]

Originally Posted by natkejs

Just when I thought my internet issues was solved lol... but how limited is limited? Are we talking like downtown Bangkok only or would it work in most larger cities, on the tourist spots etc?

Depends on what you need to do. If you're trying to upload and download videos, it's tragic. If you're just coding or checking email, it will be fine anywhere you go.

[Chosen]

I've heard they have 3g in parts of Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket & maybe few other places, however I'm not sure about the actual coverage...

[natkejs]

Originally Posted by AdultKing

Dont pay a finders fee to anyone. Hop over to a Century 21 office and someone will help you out. If they're really good to you buy them a bottle of wine or flowers as a gesture of goodwill.

In other words the agencies are getting paid by the land lords for setting up the deals and I have no obligation towards them? That's good to know.

Originally Posted by DWB

Depends on what you need to do. If you're trying to upload and download videos, it's tragic. If you're just coding or checking email, it will be fine anywhere you go.

I should be fine then.

One last Q on the subject, do you know which is the best cellphone carrier? I guess that may vary on where you are staying but crossing my fingers there is one what works good allover the place.




Again, thanks everyone for the tips! I know I could get a lot of this from Google and Wikipedia but you can't beat getting suggestions from people with actual experience

[shimmy2]

same deal here, always negociate the utilities in writing with your housing payment flat rate if possible they will rape you on the light bill (which can/will often exceed your housing payment) and also here the locals tap into your meter not sure if they do that in thailand

[mafia_man]

Originally Posted by AdultKing

I use True for Intenet, costs very little speed is good and reliability is no issue. You need a phone and adsl connection, you just go to a True shop with your pasport and visa and you'll be right.

I dont know about renting , I own a house in Bangkok. It worked out at around $200k Australian for a gorgeous place in a soi off Sukhumvit road. You need a company to do this, contact Sunbelt Asia and they will help you out.

Edit: In Thailand most things are negotiable, even tea money that the police demand from you when you're riding past a traffic check on your scooter

If you're thinking of buying real estate in Thailand I'd be very careful using the business loop-hole to buy property.

If the land office find out that the only purpose of the company is to hold your estate then your land will be seized.

Foreigners can't own land in Thailand. Use leases and ufustruct to be safe.