When will iPhone 4 Come to Thailand?

Posted on August 19, 2010

For over a month now I have been eagerly scanning the newswires and Internet blogs for any reports about the release date for the iPhone 4 in Thailand. Back in June 2010 we predicted that the iPhone 4 would be released in Thailand in September 2010. We were pretty confident with that date even though others, wrongly as it turned out, predicted a date of mid-August. Now we are starting to be concerned that an earlier reported worldwide shortage of iPhone 4 units might delay our release date.

The iPhone 4 actually arrived in Thailand in the last week in June shortly after its American debut. The first "illegally" imported units at MBK, a popular downtown shopping mall in Bangkok, were reportedly sold for as much as 70,000 baht (US$2,258) in the grey market. However, this soon settled to an average price of 54,000 baht (US$1,741) per unit. As more shops started to sell the iPhone 4, and as we came nearer to an expected September release date, the price quickly dropped. The latest news is that the 16GB iPhone 4 unit is now selling for about 27,000 baht (US$870). This is much closer to the predicted official selling price.

The True Move website started advertising the iPhone 4 as "coming soon" since June 2010, about two months ago. Then in mid-July, the Apple's Thailand store started to heavily feature the iPhone 4. Not only did they have some information in Thai, but they also listed it in their shop. However, their link to "Find a Store" went to a "page not found". That is still the case now. Around the same time, TrueMove asked their customers to register their interest in buying an iPhone 4. Since that time, they have been sending out weekly emails. But nothing about release dates or prices.

The closer we get to September, the more likely it looks like our release date will be delayed. After all, they won't suddenly start selling it "the next day" after an announcement. Surely True and DTAC will take a leaf out of Apple's book and build up anticipation by having a countdown. If it was indeed going to come out in September, then we should be seeing them taking pre-orders about now. After all, that is what is happening this week in South Korea where they are expected to release the iPhone 4 in September 2010. They had over 100,000 pre-orders on the first day alone.

When can we expect to see the iPhone 4 officially released in Thailand? Will it come out before the end of September 2010? I don't know for certain, but I do know two things that make me think that it might be soon. First, in the Apple Thailand store they have changed the words "coming soon" to "iPhone 4 is available". Though, of course, it isn't yet. Secondly, the Thai language manual for the iPhone 4 has now been released. You can download it here. Hopefully we will be getting some good news soon. Like many other people here in Thailand, I am planning on upgrading to an iPhone 4 as soon as it is released. And, like them, I will be rushing to sell my iPhone 3GS unit. At the moment, you will only get something like 13,000 baht for a secondhand 3GS at MBK. I dread to think how little we will get when we all flood the market with unwanted iPhones.

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Ed
August 19th, 2010 - 21:13

“I dread to think how little we will get when we all flood the market with unwanted iPhones”

That is the question. How much will a new 3GS be in shops once the 4 is released? There will still be plenty of old stock and no one buying. And then the question will be if the new version is worth 30% over the old one? In Singapore next week and will see if it’s ubercheap there…
Yedian
August 19th, 2010 - 23:00

Thanks for the link to the iPhone manual in Thai. A quick scan of the manual shows only the standard English QWERTY keyboard. How does one type in Thai on an iPhone??
e1ia
August 20th, 2010 - 10:22

they have stock problem worldwide (u have to wait 3 weeks in HK a SG)

i think before October is very hard,

the funny thing is: in the apple store the already start to sell ipad and iphone 4 case
Jez
August 20th, 2010 - 12:25

Somewhere in settings there is an option to have extra languages. Choose Thai (obviously!) and in the app you will see a small ‘world’ graphic. Tap this to tab between languages.

Here in Chiang Mai, True, iStudio etc all have huge signs outside their shops promoting the 3gs like it’s the latest thing. No mention anywhere that I can see of iPhone 4 ‘coming soon’
Andrewp
August 21st, 2010 - 13:55

Richard

The Thai keyboard is a bit tricky to use, as you have to use the shift key to the upper left of the world symbol and the apostrophe key to right of the world symbol for full functionality. However, there are also 4-5 row keyboards available that are more complete.
Richard Barrow
August 21st, 2010 - 14:36

Yes, I would agree it is not easy to type in Thai on the iPhone.
BAU
August 22nd, 2010 - 14:57

Please excuse my ignorance, I’m not permantly living here in Thailand.
If MBK are selling them so close to the retail price of everywhere else in the world, why aren’t you guys buying that?
Is it because you want a genuine Thai released one?

Note the AUD prices are out now 16Gb $859 AUD & 32Gb $999 AUD.

I will try to pick one up (US model) from MBK before I leave early Sept.

Also note the Canadian prices which are all outright & CAD is nearly on par with AUD. 16Gb $659 CAD & 32Gb $779 CAD.

Importing from Canada would be the cheapest way to go. Possible with a Candian address which you can arrange from online sites specialising in this.
Andrewp
August 22nd, 2010 - 17:13

Anyone interested in selling their well-cared for 3gs, at a reasonable price, in Bangkok? Please let me know……….Andrew (asp0007@gmail.com)
Tookay
August 24th, 2010 - 07:33

e1ia: where did you see iPad and iPhone 4 cases available on the Apple Store Thailand site? They aren’t there now and I’ve never seen them on it.

BAU: be careful about buying a US model iPhone 4 at MBK. They are not factory unlocked (no US sold iPhones are factory unlocked, as they are in Thailand), but rather they have been hacked. Apple often blocks these hacks with software updates.

There is also the issue of warranty. Unlike other Apple products, the iPhone warranty is only valid in the country of purchase.
e1ia
August 25th, 2010 - 09:53

@Tookay
for sure in the gateway istudio (siam square)

all apple product with battery have a international warranty
Wayne
August 26th, 2010 - 18:25

I noticed today that the True Move shop in the ‘Airport Plaza’ mall in Chiang Mai is now displaying a large poster aying ‘iPhone 4 coming soon’ and giving the website adress to register your interest. No hint of actual date.
HA YEAP
August 30th, 2010 - 14:39

any interested iphone4 ready stock
singapore stock simfree
contact me,i will in chiang mai on 3-9-10
if ready need i can bring there ,meet and check before paid
msn :hayeap3@hotmail.com
miks.gpt
October 14th, 2010 - 18:40

is the iphone available in mbk mall original,,,someone selling at $280(usd)
Richard Barrow
October 14th, 2010 - 19:44

You will never know for sure. Some real and maybe some fakes.

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