How to Call Thailand From the United States

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 3, 2021 References

Calling Thailand from the United States is not a complicated process. You can use a landline, cellphone, or internet calling service to make the call. Just start your call with the call code 011 when you begin.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Calling Thailand from the U.S.

1
Begin with 011. Every country has a different international call code. For the United States, the international call code to Thailand is 011. This is the first number you should input into the phone.
- International phone numbers are sometimes listed with a “+” symbol before the digits of the phone number. When dialing from a cell phone, you can use the “+” symbol, which is usually on the same key as the "0", instead of “011.” You can also just switch the “+” with “011” if you wish.^{[1]
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2
Dial the country access code. Type 66 into your phone. This is Thailand’s country access phone .^{[2]
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3
Dial the area code. This code will depend on both the place and phone in Thailand that you are calling. This code will be either a mobile or city code. The mobile code is for cellphones and the city code is for city landlines. Dial the 1 or 2 digit area code for the number you're calling in Thailand. This code will depend on what phone you are trying to reach. For example, if you want to speak to your friend in Bangkok, you wouldn’t use the Bangkok landline code if you were trying to reach her cell phone.
- Mobile codes generally start with an 8,9, or 6.^{[3]
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- Common city landline area codes for Thailand are:
  - 2 for Bangkok
  - 38 for Chon Buri
  - 74 for Hat Yai
  - 54 for Lampang
  - 2 for Nonthaburi
  - 2 for Samut Prakan
  - 42 for Udon Thani^{[4]
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4
Plug in your party's phone number. Dial the last seven digits of the number you're calling. For example, if you were calling Bangkok the final number would look like 011-66-2###-####.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Troubleshooting

1
Check the number. Verify that the number you are using has the correct amount of digits. You should make sure that the number you are calling is properly formatted. If the number has the wrong format, then you won't be able to place your call.
2
Consult your carrier. You may not have the ability to call internationally on your landline. Ask your carrier to find out whether they provide low-rate international calling plans, or offer lower rates for evening or weekend calls. Talk to your provider and ask them what their international rates are. There is the chance that international calling is included as part of your package. Some cell phone companies offer competitive international rates.
3
Buy a phone card. If you don’t have international calling as part of your plan, you will need to buy a phone card. Look for a phone card that will give you the most minutes for the cheapest price. A quick online search will provide you with a list of several different phone card companies.
- Check reviews of different phone card companies to make sure that they are legitimate.
4
Use an online phone-calling service. There are many different VoIP(Voice Over Internet Protocol) services on the internet that can be used for international phone calls. VoIP companies as Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber all have international calling services.
- These online phone-calling services are generally less expensive than phone cards. Also, if the person that you are calling has a smartphone, then you can potentially speak to them for free with apps like Viber or Google Hangouts. You both need to have the app installed for this to work.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Planning Holiday Phone Service

1
Check whether your phone will work in the United States. The top three Thai mobile phone networks use the GSM standard. If you live in the Thailand and are planning a trip to the United States, contact your phone provider and ask if your phone model will work in the United States.
2
Unlock your phone. If your mobile phone is "locked" to a specific carrier, it will not work with a United States SIM card. Ask your network carrier and if the phone can be unlocked. Once the phone is unlocked, you can insert a SIM card from a United States company and use the phone to make local and international calls.
- Before buying a SIM card, make sure it will fit your phone. Most standard cell phones will work with a standard SIM card, but iPhones and smartphones use special micro or nano SIM cards.^{[5]
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Purchase a mobile phone in United States. If you do not want to bring your own phone, buy a mobile phone once you arrive in the country. Look for an inexpensive phone if you are only staying a short time in the United States and get a pay-as-you-go SIM card plan so you can make international calls easily and cheaply.^{[6]
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- Be aware of the rates for international phone calls using your phone as well as the data usage rates.

Community Q&A

Question

What is the area code for Chiang Mai in Thailand?

Community Answer

011 is the international prefix used to dial somewhere outside of USA. 66 is the international code used to dial to Thailand. 53 is the local area or city code used to dial Chiang Mai. After that, you can type in the phone number.