Cheap calls from the UK to a Thailand Landline

[raphoedon]

I recently asked the question here about find a number or service to call Thailand cheaply, several people did respond however all of the suggestions were outdated.
I needed to call the Bangkok Bank to release the block on my PIN as I had entered the wrong pin 3 times. In the end I I bit the bullet and called them from my Virgin Media UK landline. £18 was the resulting charge for that one phone call.
I've since found a service that works, I had to create an account with them and deposit a sum minimum £5 and I was good to go. On the £5 into my account I have now called Thailand twice (landlines) and Ireland landline three times, my balance is is £2.96 in credit from the initial £5. It's called planet Numbers, I hope this is of some help to some of you who may have relatives in the UK who need to call you.

Derek

[Dannie Boy]

I recently asked the question here about find a number or service to call Thailand cheaply, several people did respond however all of the suggestions were outdated.
I needed to call the Bangkok Bank to release the block on my PIN as I had entered the wrong pin 3 times. In the end I I bit the bullet and called them from my Virgin Media UK landline. £18 was the resulting charge for that one phone call.
I've since found a service that works, I had to create an account with them and deposit a sum minimum £5 and I was good to go. On the £5 into my account I have now called Thailand twice (landlines) and Ireland landline three times, my balance is is £2.96 in credit from the initial £5. It's called planet Numbers, I hope this is of some help to some of you who may have relatives in the UK who need to call you.

Derek

One of the suggestions was to use Skype at about 5p a minute - did you not consider that?

[raphoedon]

Not good for calling the bank landline, which was the issue I had at the time.
For mobile calls and video calling I regularly use WhatsApp, line and and Facebook Messenger.

Thanks for your feedback then and now.

Derek

[Dannie Boy]

Not good for calling the bank landline, which was the issue I had at the time.
For mobile calls and video calling I regularly use WhatsApp, line and and Facebook Messenger.

Thanks for your feedback then and now.

Derek

That’s a surprise - I’ve used Skype many times to call landlines (albeit from Thailand to the UK) and never experienced a problem.

[HHTel]

If you have one of the old cards with a 4 digit pin you won't be able to get it unblocked. Bangkok Bank cancelled all those cards on the 15th. I got caught in the same way. I had to purchase one of the new 6 digit pin cards (400 baht!). Hopefully, that's not the problem with you as being in the UK, you won't be able to resolve that until you come to Thailand.

[joelle]

Not good for calling the bank landline, which was the issue I had at the time.
For mobile calls and video calling I regularly use WhatsApp, line and and Facebook Messenger.

Thanks for your feedback then and now.

Derek

That’s a surprise - I’ve used Skype many times to call landlines (albeit from Thailand to the UK) and never experienced a problem.

I second that, use Skype to many landlines in various countries as it is very cheap, never had any problems either
Also used it in Europe to different countries but never to Thailand but should also be ok

[Bluesky]

Not sure if this will help but I use two apps for calls from either OZ / Thailand /Korea when calling overseas. They do require an internet connection from the callers end however you can ring any mobile or landline in most countries. The first app is Viber which is free if the receiving number also has Viber. Viber Out is the paid component of this app which provides good quality calls to both landlines and mobiles that don't have Viber for a low rate calling cost. It also has an added feature of a local number in your country of choosing if you need to show a local call. Second app is Line which is a fairly common app used in Asia. Likewise free to other Line users but also has a paid component, Line Out to make paid calls to any number. Viber is definitely available from the UK.
Both apps have reasonable call rates but for set up and re charge Viber is easier. See links attached.

https://support.viber.com/customer/en/p ... iber-setup

https://account.viber.com/en/how-to-cal ... ed-kingdom

https://line.me/en/call

[raphoedon]

Thanks guys, I will revisit the Skype option and Bluesky I will look at these apps.

As for the Planet Numbers option, I still have credit from the £5 I deposited via PayPal and calling Thailand is 2p per min to landlines and 1p per minute for mobiles.

Thanks again

Derek

[caller]

I wouldn't use skype if it's 5p a minute, but it's a fraction of that. I set up a 10 pound debit to call the UK and after several calls to my bank, credit card company and others I still have over 9 pounds left in credit. I just use my laptop to call

[Dannie Boy]

I wouldn't use skype if it's 5p a minute, but it's a fraction of that. I set up a 10 pound debit to call the UK and after several calls to my bank, credit card company and others I still have over 9 pounds left in credit. I just use my laptop to call

I’m sure Skype used to be about 5p a minute but having just checked a number that I have called before, it shows a rate of 2p a minute - I doubt you will find anything much cheaper than that.

[caller]

I’m sure Skype used to be about 5p a minute but having just checked a number that I have called before, it shows a rate of 2p a minute - I doubt you will find anything much cheaper than that.

We must have different packages in mind.

My package is 10 pounds bought and paid for up front. Cumulative call time to the UK 160 minutes (actually more than that, but some may not have been charged), it says my fees to date on the package have been 42p and my balance is now 9.22, which doesn't make sense, as it should be 78p.

If it was 2p per minute, I would have been charged over 5 pounds by now.

[Dannie Boy]

I’m sure Skype used to be about 5p a minute but having just checked a number that I have called before, it shows a rate of 2p a minute - I doubt you will find anything much cheaper than that.

We must have different packages in mind.

My package is 10 pounds bought and paid for up front. Cumulative call time to the UK 160 minutes (actually more than that, but some may not have been charged), it says my fees to date on the package have been 42p and my balance is now 9.22, which doesn't make sense, as it should be 78p.

If it was 2p per minute, I would have been charged over 5 pounds by now.

I just top my account up when it gets below a certain amount, but as I rarely use the fee-paying element of Skype I can’t remember the last time I did the re-credit, anyway whatever my package is, if it’s 2p a minute when I make a call, I’m a happy bunny