Originally Posted by natkejs (Post 18426322)

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.

Originally Posted by natkejs (Post 18426322)

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?

Originally Posted by sojproductions (Post 18426521)

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.

Originally Posted by AdultKing (Post 18426353)

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 :)

Originally Posted by DWB (Post 18426492)

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.

Originally Posted by MaDalton (Post 18426601)

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

Originally Posted by AdultKing (Post 18426519)

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

Originally Posted by natkejs (Post 18426631)

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

Originally Posted by natkejs (Post 18426698)

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.

Originally Posted by natkejs (Post 18426631)

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

Originally Posted by MaDalton (Post 18426727)

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)

Originally Posted by DWB (Post 18426856)

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. :1orglaugh It's going to be 10+ years before Thailand moves to 4g.

Originally Posted by MaDalton (Post 18426727)

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)

Originally Posted by DWB (Post 18426856)

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. :1orglaugh It's going to be 10+ years before Thailand moves to 4g.

Originally Posted by AdultKing (Post 18426840)

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.

Originally Posted by natkejs (Post 18429014)

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.

Originally Posted by natkejs (Post 18429014)

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 (Post 18429041)

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.

Originally Posted by DWB (Post 18429094)

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.

Originally Posted by AdultKing (Post 18426353)

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 :)