For Belgium and Netherlands BM's

[domifletch]

If you need to call to Thailand from belgium or Netherlands, I can recommand a pre-paid phone card from www.pangea-telecom.com

I use it for a long time to call my gf and it's far cheaper than other com.
2 days ago, I had the good surprise to hear that for 5 euro, I could call 86 min (if I call a free number in Belgium) or 104 min (if I call a local number) ... It's almost half the rate than before, so +/- 5 or 6 euro cents for 1 minute.

Just check for Maxi Call. But I have not seen yet on their website the new rates. Anyway, good news
From belgium, it's possible to pay more than 1 euro for one minute if you use the national operator, and 20 times less wit a phone card... God!
Obviously, the connection is not always so good as they use Internet, so it's local call from Belgium to their platform, then Internet (probably something like Skype), then a local call again in Thailand, but for the difference of price, i don't care

I remember some phone invoice of 300-400 euro before ... I see the difference on my bank account.

I must precise that I am absolutely not involved in this company, so don't take it as an advertising, but just an friendly advice ... just because national operators take us too often for ATM machines too... and more than BG's, believe me

[Burg]

With the fast upcoming of ADSL on the island (I have it now for 8 months) there is only one cheap solution for calls: Skype. Just ended a 1 1/2 hour Skype session to Holland. The quality is far better than the traditonal phone lines. Ok, I have to pay my monthly fee for ADSL, 1000 Baht. It could be a lot cheaper to buy your Thai girlfriend a ADSL connection here on the island so she can Skype with you unlimited.

[domifletch]

I totally agree with you, Burg ... but to use Skype, both people need to be connected and it's not always the case. Messenger also offers an audio solution ad it's rather good, but this time again, both people need to be connected on Internet too.
I am always on Internet at work, but if want to call my GF, i do prefer to go outside because I wouldn't like my colleagues hear my conversation.

The solution I suggested above is from phone to phone. Obviously, if you can only use Internet, it's free.

The only matter with my GF is that she lives in an area of Phuket Town where there is not ADSL yet, I guess it will come within 1 year, but right now she uses a modem connection. It's slow. I have tried the audio system on messenger, there is maybe 2 or 3 seconds delay... A bit boring.
Anyway, thanks for your advice

[Thai Kwan Do]

thanks domi . ill give this site to a mate of mine , who gets the 300euro phone bills!!!!!

[Hep]

Originally Posted by domifletch

... but to use Skype, both people need to be connected and it's not always the case.

Hey Domi,

That's not correct. You can use Skype from a PC to call a normal landline or mobile phone and the prices are very competitive.
The feature is called SkypeOut and basically you buy credits online which get put in your Skype account and then your all set to go.

If you call one of these countries you get the SkypeOut Global Rate, which is 1.7 Eurocent per minute.

Argentina (Buenos Aires), Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Canada (mobiles), Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico (Mexico City, Monterrey), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg), Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States (except Alaska and Hawaii), United States (mobiles) and last but not least: Vatican.

Now I guess the most interesting place to call is Thailand so here are the rates per minute

Thailand (general rate) € 0.106
Thailand - Mobile € 0.107
Thailand-Bangkok € 0.057

You can see all the rates here:
http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/rates/


I can only recommend using Skype. I have it installed on my laptop so when I travel I just use that to call home. When I was in Thailand last time I had better sound and connection through the laptop with Skype than on my ordinary cellphone.

I recommend that if you regularly call Thailand you at least try out Skype to see if it fits your needs. I cant see why it wouldn't to be honest.

P.S.. Naturally you need a headset with a microphone for you PC as well but that is all.

[LivinLOS]

You actually dont 'need' a headset.. Many laptops have a built in mic and always have speakers.. I actually have a tiny libretto PC about as big as a video casette which I have used on occasion for Skype..

To make it easy for my dad I bought him a USB handset thats like a phone... it works with skype seamlessly in that it rings when skype rings and you can set speed dial buttons on it so that it calls skype contacts..

I have even read about people using edge equipped smart phones to use the edge data service and skype to eliminate the long distance calling charges..