How to get WiFi Internet in Thailand for 99 baht a month
No surprises that Thailand has a half decent Internet infrastructure especially since Bangkok is known as the most Facebook connected city in the world with more people logging onto Facebook than any other city. But how do you think all those people are getting online if the average person makes less than $500 a month. They arn't all getting hardlined for 699 baht a month that's for sure! So how do people in Thailand get online and what do they pay?
Most everyone Thai person I know that makes less than 10,000 baht a month are connected in some way and most use air-cards or the alternative is WiFi. The 3bb network has a massive WiFi network that covers nearly every major city and outpost in Thailand with over 50,000 WiFi routers and chances are you are living right next to one.
Open up your network setting now and see if you can see the 3bb WiFi network like in the picture to the left, can you see it? If so that means you can get broadband internet albiet over a wireless network right to your phone, tablet and PC for just 99 baht a month! Well actually it'll cost 106 baht because of taxes but still that's a deal a year of this is only 1272 baht if you know of a better deal then please leave a comment below. One thing about the network is it auto resets itself ever 6-12 hours and your connection will become disconnected Don't worry because it soon comes back within a minute and you get back online.
As for speed well it's not exactly fast and if you paid for the hard lined network then you'll probably be frustrated by this. But this all depends on what you need the internet for as well. If you have the money then sure get something hooked up to your house but if you are travelling through Thailand then you can benefit from the WiFi Access. If your not downloading movies and only use the internet to update your Facebook and check your emails and surf a little bit then really the WiFi network is all you need.
How do I sign up?
Signing up is so simple but you will need a DTAC sim card to get online send the following message to the number provided and they will send you back a username and password that simple. In order to get the number and code you'll need to sign up as a standard or VIP member to this site.
You will then receive a text message with the username and password, it will cost exactly 106 baht so make sure you have enough credit on your phone.
Where Can I find more information about 3BB WiFi Internet?
3BB have a website dedicated to this massive WiFi network only problem is it's all in Thai. Not exactly my problem but if you don't read Thai then it's probably not going to help. In fact the website when you click on the link that says register for the network says you can't register at this time lol Thailand! But if you sign into my website (even as a stanard user) you'll see the number above and you can sign up for the network. If you'd like to know where all the Wifi locations are then click here or the follow city links in English below.
Random Internet service Frustrations
I went to 3BB when I got back from Pattaya and asked for the internet to be hooked up again for me. Firstly they said I had to pay for the whole year upfront because I'm a Farang. OK I said but I don't want it in my name I want it in my g/f's name she's used 3BB before. So the lady at the counter said it's still a 12 month contract but the g/f doesn't need to pay in advance. Wow, OK. Last time I didn't have to and she said the policies have since been changed. Totally frustrated at this point I asked her what other options there where and she said there were none. I don't want to pay 12 months if I don't even know if I'll be where i'm at in 12 months. She didn't once mention I could just hook up to the WiFi network without a contract for 99 baht a month. But then again she's Thai and she works at the company so I don't expect her to know anything about what they do there.
In Pattaya it is still 6 month contract for farangs and you pay the full 6 months in advance. I however chatted with the real estate company and said it either has to have high speed or I can get it without a contract. And thus, I am not on a contract because she had a line going to a room that was no longer needed. I paid 500b to have it moved to a new room. The speed was upped quite a bit and I am pretty happy. In thailand there is always something that can be done. 99baht wireless is a great idea. My “western” tastes though, require a much higher speed.
Great info.
If your in Bangkok or Pattaya you get way better speeds than what you get in Chiang Mai if your roaming around this is the best option for WiFi internet in Thailand
Thank U Chris for sharing all these info on your website.
I applaud U for your selflessness and willingness to share your experiences with us.
How I wish I had come upon your website earlier!
Still it is better to be late than never ^_*
Looking forward to more of your articles.
Cheers mate!
Your welcome thanks mate!
Its a pitty Chris but it does seem that this rule about qualifing for the pension wont be changed…they are changing 13 week rule about loosing your add ons to 6 weeks on 1/1/13, when you do get the pension the net amount will be $375 p/w and you can have almost $200,000 of investments without loosing any of your pension. If you have a house and then leave Aus to live and are on a pension your house becomes an asset and buggers up your net amount (not good)…watch out for selling your house and loosing your pension because assets, if you loose your pension for more then 13 weeks you might have to go through all the rigermarole all over again to get it back..I am comming to Chiang Mia for 7 weeks over Xmas from 17/12 to end of Jan 13…might catch up
1/5/2013 The text code did not work. Can you email me and help me out for the 99b net access?
Thanks and Happy New Year!!
What was the error I just did it then, didn’t have a problem. I might now have mentioneed you MUST have a DTAC sim card for it to work.
I’m wondering how this works can you get Internet only from you’re home and this is the actual price? Also will I be able to use Apple TV with this Internet to get you-tube and Netflix .. I’m leaving Thailand for this year but come every year and would be interested .