Bringing your 3G iPad to Bangkok? Get a local prepaid microSIM!
Bangkok is an excellent getaway destination for a long weekend, being only is a short hop away. During promotions, tickets can be purchased from budget airlines for less than the price of a good dinner.
If you want to avoid the exorbitant hundreds of dollars of data roaming charges (SingTel charges SGD $22 per MB), you will need to pick up a data plan. I went with the carrier DTAC after getting positive feedback from friends on the coverage and price (Disclosure: I was not paid by DTAC nor did I receive anything from anyone for this post or any other post on this site).
Prepaid data plans are their Happy card, which cost THB 69 for 300 minutes of surfing time. There are 2 options for your 3G iPad, either pick up a regular prepaid data SIM and cut it, or get a prepaid data microSIM.
IMPORTANT: Switch your 3G off when not in use. Leaving your 3G on while connected to the internet in the background will consume your credits.
Option A – Cut a prepaid data SIM (regular SIM):
1. At the airport, go to the DTAC booth after you pick up your luggage & clear customs.
2. Get the regular Happy SIM card with data plan (THB 69). English speaking staff.
2. Cut it to microSIM size
3. Insert into iPad, done!
Option B – Get a prepaid microSIM with data plan:
1. Go to the DTAC store in Siam Paragon, 3rd floor
2. Purchase a prepaid regular SIM data card (Happy Card) from the counter on your right
3. At the counter on the left, request for a swap for your regular data SIM to a microSIM, and ask them to activate it. This is because activation requires dialling a number that you cannot do from your iPad.
3. Insert into iPad, done!
Service at both the airport and Siam Paragon was efficient and excellent, with several staff able to speak English.
Some further observations: You will not need any APN settings under your Carrier tab. Just leave everything blank. Also, there is apparently little to no 3G coverage in Bangkok. Connection is EDGE with download speeds around 100-120 kbps according to the test I ran on SpeedTestX. If you require more minutes, you can ask them to top up on the spot. However, if you buy e.g. 500 additional minutes, you will only be able to use your initial 300 minutes after you finish using the 500.