Thread: Advice on getting a cheap mobile phone

I want to pick up a cheap, used mobile phone. The sole purpose of this phone would be for calls -- I don't need a camera, blinky lights, MP3s, games, GPS, flouroscope, disco ball, etcetera.

I would use said phone for incoming and outgoing calls in Thailand (Bangkok,Chiang Mai, and Chiang Khong -- on the Thai/Lao border). I am headed to Nepal so I would also use it there, but mostly just for incoming calls -- in case someone wanted to call me from the states or from Thailand.

I could see SMS being convenient if it were cheap to SMS people abroad.

Now, I have never had a mobile phone before so forgive me for my questions -- I am a complete newbie and the phone shops seem to be suited more towards people who already know all the ins-and-outs. Picture your grandmother going to buy a Linux box, that's me, but with a mobile phone instead.

Now, if I understand correctly, in order to use a phone in both Thailand and Nepal (I'll be in Kathmandu which has cell towers, I've seen 'em) I need either a GSM or a "tri-band" phone. Are GSM and tri-band just two names for the same thing?

Okay, so I buy a phone... then I need to buy a SIM card, right? The SIM card giving me my phone number and a way to store my numbers -- it's basically the "soul" for the phone's body.

I've heard something about phones that don't accept other cards or something. I'm guessing that these were phones sold/given away cheap by say, Orange, and modified so that they could only use Orange stuff. Is this something that I need to be aware of?

Okay, so I have my phone and I've dropped in my SIM card... now I need to buy some time. So I go and buy a prepaid DTAC card or a 1-2-Call card, right? This gives me X number of minutes but if I don't use them in a couple of months then not only do I lose them, but my SIM card dies... is that right?

Can I use any "prepaid minutes card" or am I stuck with a certain brand? If so, what decides this? Where I buy the phone? Is it somehow written to the SIM card? As in "You, Mister SIM card... you can only accept DTAC minutes..."

Okay, so I understand that when I go to Nepal I will need to buy a new SIM card and new minutes no doubt. That's fine as I hear SIM cards are only a couple of hundred baht (or Nepali rupees as the case will be).

Now, if someone calls me from, say, New York, I don't pay anything is that right? They, of course, are paying long distance rates to call me in Thailand or Nepal, but as far as I'm concerned, it's a free call... is that right?

Okay, and now recommendations for a phone. I want cheap and the Nokia 3315 seems to be a rather cheap (~2900 baht) basic phone. I'm thinking of getting one of these used, hoping to knock off a bit more baht. Anyone think of a "better" phone at the same general price?

Okay, so a lot of questions and flailing...

Any ideas? Comments? Advice?

Thanks in advance

- s

>Try looking in MBK, Mah Boon Krong. Near Siam Square.

Yeah, I know there's that whole floor of MBK and such... really there seem to be about three places in Thailand where you can't/ buy a mobile phone... but I was actually posting more for my questions...

Depending on the salesmen here in Chaing Mai it's a combination of "yes, whatever you want to hear to make you buy it... sure it will make juilane fries!" and the whole problem with specific questions in the second language thing.

EERRR! Walk into MBK with 1500 Baht and walk out with a new phone. Walk into 7-11 and buy a SIM. I would say Orange/TrueMove. Walk out and start making calls.

Phew! It took you longer to post that to buy the thing.