BKK: Navigation for *Walking* on Mobile Phone -- Which SIM Card ?
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Nov 21, 2012 10:47 PM Last Post By: Henrik2000
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BKK: Navigation for *Walking* on Mobile Phone -- Which SIM Card ?
Hi, I would like to have map navigation on my mobile for walking in Bangkok and probably for general use in Central Thailand. The phones I could use are a Nokia Symbian Belle or a new Android 4.1 (not iOS and not WP8).Which map service is helpful to walk around without getting lost? Using Google Maps (online or offline/downloaded) sounds very interesting, but in the past I also liked Nokia's own maps. I would prefer to get directions by arrows on-screen instead by voice, but maybe that's not an option.
So which navigation for mobile phones do you recommend? It could also be a non-free map and I would need navigation later also for specific areas in Bangladesh and India.
On the same matter, which SIM card do you recommend for a few tourist weeks in Thailand, never in very remote areas? I do want to use internet on my mobile regularly, but not excessivly (will have laptop and wifi also); but as a tourist I only need a prepaid card. No need to find the very cheapest SIM, if other SIM cards are more comfortable or stable. In the past I used the DTAC booth at the airport to get a SIM card and credit right there; it was ok and seemed easier to use for a foreigner than some other offers, but I never used a SIM card in Thailand for data so far. I don't know if the providers in Thailand offer their own online maps and if yes, if they are helpful and with English instructions.
While at it you could tell me if you recommend any app especially for Thailand, for instance dictionary, restaurant finder or some such. I'd even pay money for a good app.
Thanks for all your suggestions!
1
I recommend Truemove SIM Card you ask mobile shop for 3G+Wifi for a prepaid card , see it on their website http://truemove.com/3g/en/package.html2
Google maps works very well in Bangkok. As for the SIM card, I recommend DTAC. The SIM is 80 baht, and they have internet 3G packages for 690 baht/month. Coverage is nationwide and reliable.3
I hope that truemove netsim really works now - I have a sim from them that works for internet in my aircard/dongle but if put in a phone I can make calls but internet is limited to gprs/edge speeds. At that time I was told that trumove has no prepaid sim that allows for 3G speed.Hope above changed by now!
I use AIS 1,2,call, the third of the large providers, pay 890 baht unlimited 3G internet, but they have cheaper packages as well.
Their helpline has been excellent so far, fast, competent and polite.
Can't help you with the directions arrows, I use maps with GPS position only and then figure out myself where I have to head to.
Google maps is quite good in Bangkok and elsewhere, hard to beat.
Nokia maps draws a blank when it comes to Bangladesh, not even a city map for Dakha (and Laos and Cambodia).
Google maps much better there.
I'm not aware of any really useful app for Thailand travel, everything I tried got deleted quickly so far.
I use my own database, much better...
:-)
4
Another vote for 1-2-call. I usually buy the 1GB/month plan for 350 baht, and top it up again if I need to. On an Android phone Google maps is excellent and you can download offline maps covering some areas. It also has turn by turn walking directions.1-2-call data packages here
5
Hi Rini, Ocean, Tools and Seaflux (in order of appearance), thanks for lots of useful hints. And now for the SIM card, 4 people recommend three different onces :)Well, it's not the worst situation like that. It would definitely be nice to get the SIM card straight at the airport where used-to-tourists staff will set it all up for me.
