A global entrepreneur, travelling the world
If you travel through or live in Thailand for any significant period of time, chances are that you have a local SIM card for your phone. One of the most popular networks is One-2-Call from AIS. They have great coverage. I nearly always have phone signal and EDGE internet whether I am in the remote North-east of Thailand or on a tiny island in the South.
Now… One-2-Call do not publicise this very well, but it is possible to get unlimited EDGE and GPRS data for a monthly fee of 650 baht (approx $20) on your prepay sim card. Also a lesser known fact amongst casual users, is that you can use their online service to switch your calling plans, add SMS bundles, transfer balances, add special numbers and a variety of other goodies.
While this guide is all about the unlimited data option, you can also select lower cost hourly packages 20 hours (100 baht), 100 hours (350 baht) etc. However, if you are an iPhone user and Facebook/Twitter addict like me, then you’ll want your phone online permanently.
STEP 1) Make sure you have the relevant amount of credit available on your phone (i.e. at least 650 baht) and then visit https://12calleservice.ais.co.th/EPPWeb/index.html to access the eService. You can switch the language between Thai and English in the top right corner.
STEP 2) Enter your phone number. The system will then send you a one-time password via SMS to access the eService website. This password is valid for 15 mins. Once you receive your password you can proceed to login. Once you are in, you can view your call plan, value added services, remaining credit, validity period etc. Have a good browse because there are a load of goodies you can play with. I won’t go into it all in detail here.
STEP 3) In the left hand menu, select the option: Call plans > Call plan & value added service switch/signup. Once in this section, you can select a whole host of promotions, call plans, bolt-ons etc. The option we are after is under the tab “Value added service”. Select option 7 – “GPRS Package 650 Baht Monthly fee 650 Baht, You can use free EDGE/GPRS Unlimited”, and then click OK at the bottom of the page.
STEP 4) You will then be taken to a confirmation screen. Click OK and you should be good to go. Assuming you have 650 baht available on your phone, your credit will be charged and you should receive a confirmation SMS.
To check your remaining EDGE/GPRS usage, along with remaining SMS, MMS and other bolt on packages you might have added to your account, you can dial *139# SEND. Here is the response on my iPhone. Notice the lovely, juicy UNLIMITED text beside the EDGE/GPRS. Happy days.
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In: Bangkok
12 Jul 2010Following on from the recent post about the aftermath of the Bangkok protests, here are a few shots that show the positive side of the recent turmoil. From what I can see, the Thai people seem intent on getting back to normality as soon as they can and it is clear just how much the Thai people in Bangkok love their city and are heartbroken by what has happened.
^^ Probably the biggest and most prominent symbol of what has happened is the burnt-out Central World building. It seems that many people will not view Bangkok as normal until this landmark has been rebuilt.
^^ Rebuilding the Zen section @ Central World – Look carefully and you will see random workers scattered around the maze of scaffolding.
^^ Workers recoating the steps leading up to Central World
^^ Outside central world is a section for people to write their messages of support. Below are a couple of them.
^^ Most of the messages here are positive and show the love that people have for Central World and their overwhelming desire for things to return to ‘normal’ (as far as Bangkok goes).
^^ These boards are constantly monitored for hatred messages. Where they appear, they are quickly painted over.
^^ These signs are in numerous spots around the area. I’ve seen the ‘A’ symbol in many places. Does anyone know what it means?
So the overall impression I get is that, on the surface, Bangkok will be physically rebuilt quickly and the damage masked over. However, it is also very clear that Thailand has been left with deep wounds that will take a lot more work to heal. I don’t know what the solution will be but I hope that Thailand can reconcile its differences and move towards a prolonged period of stability and peace. The majority of Thai’s do not want conflict and further damage to the country. The Thai people deserve better.
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In: Bangkok
12 Jul 2010Here is a photograph taken from the outside balcony at Breeze restaurant, located in on the 52nd floor of Bangkok’s State Tower building.
Not to forget the obligatory group photo…
In: Bangkok
3 Jul 2010I’ve just spent a few days in Bangkok, meeting up with some friends whilst waiting to fly down to Koh Samui. Whilst wondering around the city, I took a few shots of the damage caused as a result of the recent political protests and subsequent riots.
Burnt Zen sign at Central World.
The main collapsed area of Central World.
Smashed sign in front of a closed-off entrance to the sky walk.
A burnt out MK restaurant next to a gutted mall in Siam.
Broken barrier near Siam Paragon
It’s extremely sad to see the destruction that was caused to some of my favourite parts of Bangkok but on a brighter note, it is also extremely heart-warming to see the response from the Thai people who seem intent on rebuilding and getting the city back on track as quickly as possible.
I’ll do a follow up post to this with some images of the rebuilding process.
Well, after a brief stint at Tiger Muay Thai and a little bit too much partying, I’m off to Bangkok to meet some friends and then off for a nice little holiday down the east coast of Thailand. We are planning to hit up Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao so if anyone is in that area over the next few weeks, let me know and we can hook up!
Here is a quick little photo of a hidden cove in the deep south of Phuket, right next to my favourite beach. In anyone can guess where it is, I will buy you a beer
In: Thailand
24 Jun 2010Check out this video for some crazy stunt action. Only in SE Asia. At one point the car wheel nearly goes over the top of the fence. Centrifugal force at its most exciting!
In: My Life
24 Jun 2010I thought I would pop up a quick post on a few things that I want to do at some point in life. This is not an exhaustive list by any means. I also admit that I borrowed a few of these ideas from other people’s lists (I’m lazy).
If anyone can help me do any of these things, or wants to join me, then just get in touch and we’ll get on it!
1. Cycle from Lands End to John O Groats
2. Raise £10,000 for a charity
3. Blag an upgrade to first or business class
4. Go to a World Cup final
5. Visit the Olympics
6. Dive with sharks(Reef sharks and bronze whalers)
7. Cage dive with Great White Sharks
8. See Humpback Whales(Saw a couple of these on the North Shore in Hawaii)
9. Go to the Superbowl
10. Go to a major UFC event
11. Study Shaolin Kung Fu in China
12. Volunteer after a natural disaster
13. Teach English abroad
14. Run a half marathon
15. Learn fire poi
16. Dog Sled across snow
17. See the northern Lights
18. Follow the path of Buddha, India, Nepal
19. Visit a meditation retreat
20. Climb an active volcano and look in the crater
21. Visit the Rio Carnival
22. Go to Glastonbury festival
23. Race in a dragon boat
24. Study Jiu Jitsu in Brazil
25. Learn Muay Thai in Thailand
26. Stay in an ice hotel
27. Stay in an underwater hotel
28. Sleep in a Japanese capsule hotel
29. Watch Thai boxing live(Loads of times)
30. Swim with Turtles(Loads of times)
31. Be in the audience of a major game show or contest show e.g. X factor
32. Go Snowboarding(Did this with @myeggnoodles in Japan earlier this year)
33. Walk the Great Wall of China
34. Swim with Dolphins
35. Climb to Everest Base Camp
36. Learn a new Language to conversational level
37. Become an Underwater Videographer
38. Learn to play the Guitar
39. Compile a book of Poetry
40. Take the Trans-Siberian train
41. Attend a major protest
42. See flowing lava(Hawaii)
43. Ride an ostrich
44. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
45. Learn to fly a plane or helicopter
46. Charter a boat round tropical islands
47. Drive route 66
48. Do a skydive
49. See the Grand Canyon
50. Bungy jump off a bridge
51. Go Paragliding
52. Do the Bognor Regis Birdman
53. Make “The Sultanas of Swing” video
54. Hot air balloon ride
55. Ride an Elephant
56. Ride the biggest roller coaster in the world
57. Visit the tallest building in the world (Dubai)
58. Weightless flight http://www.gozerog.com
59. Go to the airport and take the next plane to anywhere
60. Own a tailor made suit
61. Learn to Tango
62. See a total eclipse of the sun
63. See a west end show
64. Grow a handlebar moustache
65. Gallop a horse on a beach at sunset
66. Create a world record
67. Walk the Inca trail
68. See the Easter Island heads
69. Learn to Fence
70. Visit Tokyo
71. Trace my family tree
72. See the Sistine Chapel
73. See the Roman Colosseum
74. Visit Komodo Island
75. Go to an Anthony Robbins seminar
76. Become a member of MENSA
77. Lift 100kg in a bench press
78. Experience Nyepi on Bali(Did this and set fire to my room with a candle)
79. Visit the Galapagos Islands
80. See the Dali Lama speak.
81. Visit Angkor Wat Temples
In: Thinking
24 Jun 2010I snapped this on the wall while I was travelling round Koh Lanta in Thailand a couple years ago. Good food for thought and gives an excellent perspective on where we are in life as a human race.
I’ve just returned to Phuket, Thailand after a 2 month stint back in the UK and am currently training back at Tiger Muay Thai and MMA in an attempt to lose the 10kg I piled on whilst back in England!
I went back to the UK primarily for one of my best friends wedding, but while there I was able to catch up on all my book-keeping, year end accounts, tax and VAT returns for my businesses. I was also able to catch up most of my friends and family, which was awesome.
Surprisingly, I was fortunate enough to have some excellent weather and when the sun is shining, there is no better place to be in the UK than my hometown, which has some amazing sunsets. Managed to spend a few good days on the beach, keeping the tan topped up.
Here are some pictures of my hometown, Newquay.
Whilst I was home I even got to play in my friends classic E Type V12 Jaguar. This thing certainly turned some heads riding through town!
So… right now I’m back in Phuket and will be training for another week or so. After this, I plan to meet a couple of friends (one of them is in the sunset photo above) and head over to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao for a week or two of relaxing.
After that “the world is my oyster” so to speak!
I’m planning a visit to Bali and the Gilli Islands to see some friends at some point and I am also booked onto a dive safari in South Africa in November. Apart from this, I’m staying pretty flexible so if anyone wants to meet up or is off on any trips in SE Asia and wants a travel buddy, just let me know.
In: Newquay
9 Jun 2010I’m pretty lucky to live where I live when I am in England. While out for my evening run I was treated to this view.
This was taken from Great Western beach at low tide in Newquay, Cornwall.
The personal blog of Matt Goult. A young entrepreneur who is currently travelling the world, exploring life and making money online to pay for it all. I'm always keen to meet like-minded people, so please get in touch.