Using an iPhone & iPad in Thailand Tips, App Reviews and News for the iPhone and iPad by Richard Barrow

Free Thai Cookbooks

Posted on September 30, 2010

Here are two more iPhone apps that teach you how to cook Thai food for free.

The first one is called iThaiCookBook and has five popular recipes. These are Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Soup with Prawn and Lemongrass), Kaeng Phed Ped Yang (Thai Red Curry Paste with Roasted Duck), Kaeng Khew Whan Kai (Thai Green Curry Paste with Chicken), Pad Thai Goong Sod (Thai Noodles with Prawn) and Gai Phat Met Mamuang Himmaphan (Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts).  In preferences you can change the language between Thai and English. In addition to the recipes, you get a shopping list for each dish. There are no pictures as such but there are plenty of illustrations. Obviously five recipes is not comprehensive, but as the price has just dropped from 99 cents to free then I would advise you to go and download this now.

The second free Thai cook book is called Thai Cooking and is released by The Nation.  They also have a HD version Thai Cooking for iPad. The file size is quite large at 320-350 MB. This one is a bit more comprehensive with 12 written recipes. They also have 13 videos, however only the first one will work. It says you have to buy the full app to access the rest of the videos but it is not clear where or how much it costs. What I like about this app is the section on Essential Ingredients which gives you a long list with pictures and a brief explanation. There is also a section on cooking utensils. If you bought the 8GB iPhone then you may want to skip this app.

The other free app for cooking Thai food that I reviewed before is Thai Cookbook by TAT.

Filed under: Thai Cooking 2 Comments

How to Read the Thai Alphabet

Posted on September 28, 2010

Reading Thai is the first app for the iPhone to give a complete introduction to the Thai script. If you want to actually start reading real words in Thai, then this is the app for you. Learn how syllables are constructed and learn how each component of a syllable affects it’s sound. You’ll learn over 350 vocabulary words and hear each word spoken by a native Thai.

Reading Thai is the most comprehensive app for the iPhone that I have found so far for people learning the Thai alphabet. Other apps just give you each letter of the alphabet, but this one goes a step further and actually helps you to read your first words as well. What you get is a page that gives you all 44 consonants. You can then choose to view them in alphabet order or jump to any letter you like. On each page you have a picture associated with that letter, the class it belongs to, and the sound it makes at the start and finish of a syllable. You can also listen to a native speaker. Another screen gives you all the vowels sorting them by long and short vowels.

The next two sections cover numbers and tone marks together with punctuation. Then comes the tone rules and letter combination rules. These seem to be both clear and comprehensive in their description which should help most beginners. What is nice here over a normal book course are the samples of words which help illustrate the rules. Again you can listen to a native speaker reading these words. The last section contains quite a few examples of multi-syllable words which are read by a native speaker. There are apparently 350 words here in total. I would say that Reading Thai has everything you would need to give you a good start in not only learning the Thai alphabet but also in learning to read your first Thai words. The price at present is $4.99.

UPDATE: There is now a free version of this app called Read Thai Alphabet if you want to try it out first. This only has the consonants and is supported by advertising.

Filed under: Learning Thai 7 Comments

Buying an iPad in Thailand

Posted on September 27, 2010
buyingipad

You can now buy an iPad as cheap as 18,000 baht in Thailand at shopping malls like MBK . The prices have come down by about 400 baht since last week. The cost of an iPad are comparable to prices in the USA (don't forget you need to add sales tax and recycle tax to Apple's prices) and it is in fact cheaper than the UK (where VAT is expensive). If you want to buy one and don't want to wait any longer for the official iPad launch in Thailand then I would advise to go ahead now. We are expecting the iPad to be released in Thailand as late as November 2010. This is when Apple will release their latest operating system for the iPad which will make it Thai enabled. I believe Apple cannot release the iPad in Thailand before November as it doesn't even have a Thai keyboard. Another reason I would suggest buying now and not wait for the official release is because of the recent iPod Touch fiasco. These sold out on the first day because of low supplies. It will be much easier to go MBK and buy it there now. That is what I did yesterday.

Here is a rough guide to iPad prices at MBK in Thailand:

WiFi: 16GB 18,000 baht, 32GB 21,500 baht, 64GB 24,500 baht
3G: 16GB 22,200 baht, 32GB 25,500 baht, 64GB 28,500 baht

Once you have decided to buy an iPad, you then have two choices. Whether to buy WiFi or 3G and which size. I'll tell you right here and now. Go for the 3G as it is only 4,000 baht more expensive. It is the kind of thing that you might regret not doing later and is something that you cannot upgrade to. Having 3G just gives you that freedom to use the iPad wherever you are and not just at a WiFi hotspot. In addition, the 3G version also has GPS which means you can use the Google Maps app to track your route in the car. Something that I find very useful on the iPhone and so much better on the bigger screen of the iPad.

When I bought my iPhone from TrueMove last week, they gave me a "double SIM" package. The idea is that I could use the second MicroSIM in an iPad. But, I wasn't keen on paying a second 599 baht monthly package. However, there is an alternative. This SIM by i-Kool is only 99 baht and it already includes 10 days of 3G service with a 1GB limit! That is pretty good. The best thing is that activation is simple. Just put it in. You don't need to call anyone. As you can see, it is a regular sized SIM and and as you might know, the iPad takes a MicroSIM. The solution to that is simple too. The shop where I bought the SIM card has a gadget that quickly cuts it down to size! See the picture picture below.

The second question you need to ask yourself is the size. Personally I think the 16GB is probably too small. Especially if you are planning to take it on trips and use the iPad to watch some movies. However, if you are going to synch it daily with your computer, then you don't necessarily need to keep everything on your iPad. Just load it as and when you need it. So, I would go for a compromise and buy the 32 GB iPad. However, if you plan to store a lot of pictures and video that you need for presentations, then maybe consider the bigger model. Don't forget, it is possible to buy a VGA connector to hook it up to projectors and TVs. You can also buy a camera adaptor so that you can download your photos from your DSLR. Then from there you can edit and upload onto the Internet. More on that later.

The only downside of buying now from MBK is the warranty. The iPad is not officially launched in Thailand and so Apple service center won't be interested in helping you until about November. If you do have a problem with your iPad you have two alternatives. One is to take it to one of the service shops at MBK, or do, like someone did, take your damaged iPad down to an Apple service center in Singapore where they will exchange it for a new one! I know people will want to know where I bought mine from. I will tell you but really they are all are really as good or bad as each other. The owner of where I bought mine seemed to be honest and he is also on Twitter a lot. The shop is called Blink7 and is in Zone C on the fourth floor of MBK. Now that I have an iPad I will be starting app reviews for this device as well.

OCTOBER 2010 UPDATE ON PRICES:

iPad 3G: 16GB 20,200 Baht /32GB 23,300 Baht /64GB 26,500 Baht
iPad WiFi: 16GB 16,000 Baht / 32GB 19,600 Baht / 64GB 22,300 Baht

Filed under: iPad 30 Comments

Thailand Official Guide for iPhone

Posted on September 27, 2010

“iThai - Thailand Official Guide” for iPhone and iPod Touch is the official guide to Thailand produced with the collaboration of The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). It is a source of travel information about the country, its culture and the activities it offers to the tourists.

This is now the fifth iPhone app that has been produced by the TAT. It follows hot on the heals of three dismal failures: Top 50 Amazing Experiences in Thailand, Eat and Drink in BKK and Thai Cookbook by TAT. However, I was impressed with their last one, Speak Thai (EN), which I think will be popular with tourists. This new app, called iThai - Thailand Official Guide, should prove to be useful as well for tourists. However, the question is, is it good enough to replace traditional guidebooks? The iPhone app certainly gives you a lot of background information to the country such as culture, history and religion. It then breaks the country down into regions where you can choose different destinations in that area. However, it isn't really comprehensive.

At present, they only have 7 destinations for the Central and East regions of Thailand. I would hope that they would add more in the future. If you choose Bangkok, for example, then you get a long list of categories which include restaurants, spas and attractions. The map option here doesn't work well. If you try to zoom into a map of Bangkok then the font becomes unreadable. It would be nice to have it interactive where you can see where you are and what attractions are near you. However, if you click through to one of the pages on a restaurant or attraction, there is another link for a map which marks the location on a Google map. However, be warned, each time you do that you are connecting to the Internet. Many a horror story about expensive data roaming charges.

Overall I liked it. There is certainly a lot of information already here which will prove useful for most tourists coming to Thailand on a holiday. But to be really useful, it does need to be more interactive. I have reviewed other iPhone guidebook apps that really put this one to shame.  I am not sure how much the TAT paid the developers to produce this app. I presume it was a lot of money. What we are getting is basically a brochure on your iPhone. Having said that, at present the iThai app is free and so it is worth downloading just to see if there is anything you may have missed. But, for myself, unless they make it more interactive and add GPS, I won't be using it on any of my trips. Another little complaint that I also personally have is that the developers have stolen at least one of my own pictures for this app. I see they have a "credits" tab but I didn't see my name there. I wonder how many other pictures were stolen without paying for it.

Filed under: Thailand 7 Comments

Top 10 iPhone Apps by Bill Hammerton

Posted on September 26, 2010

This is a weekly look at popular apps for the iPhone as suggested by people living and working in Thailand. This week we hear from Bill Hammerton who has been running Internet radio, based here in Thailand for the last 6 years, originally with the BBC travelling the world.  RadioBangkok does many things with the iPhone including all their HD video production - 3 iphones, 1 ipod touch and i iPad - Hi Quality recording via the Alesis pro unit and direct with the Mickey Blue.

Favourite apps on the iPhone (in no particular order)

1. Tom the Talking Cat - not really into games but this one is too cute- just extend this virtual reality a few years and what is already amazing will be unbelievable (also on iPad)

2. My Eyes Only - Just keeping track of all those passwords and logins - this makes it easy with a nice graphical interface and Mac or PC software option for backing it all up (also a free version)

3. Flip Time - the first app I ever bought, lives on my desk and just a very nice "old airport style" time board

4. Mobile Maps for SE Asia - a turn by turn gps navigation app with multiple languages and spoken voice, not bad, especially for the price

5. Apples own iBooks of course, but I still use Stanza sometimes and for PDF it has to Bookman (all free)

6. Skype - probably my most used app, every software release it just keeps getting better, more reliable and clearer than my home landline

7. WallCal Lite - the lite version does al I need - basically puts your calendar on the lock screen - Unfortunately a 2 step process if you have a phone that is not jailbroken but worth the little effort

8. Opera Min - much prefer it to Safari - altogether better for me

9. TuTune Me - playing music on the move in the car, fully configurable and very easy to control your music safely while driving

10. Awesome note - Does everything I need and synchonises too with all my 'cloud apps' There is a lite version but I upgraded - its a notes and a to-do application, again a very nice graphical interface and that's important for me

I have over 170 apps and use most of them

Every weekend we are featuring the favourite Top 10 iPhone Apps for Internet personalities living in Thailand. Please contact us if you wish to have your list featured on our blog.

Prices for iPhone 4 and Packages

Posted on September 24, 2010
iphone4nowout

The iPhone 4 was finally released in Thailand in the early hours of Friday 24th September 2010. We now know the price of the iPhone 4 and the data packages being offered by the three carriers: TrueMove, DTAC and AIS. I was at the launch party last night for TrueMove at Siam Paragon. I will be going back again this morning to queue up for my iPhone 4 handset. I will be sticking with True as I don't want to change my number as I want to use their 3G service. I normally use 3G all the time with my iPhone as it is widespread in Bangkok and my province of Samut Prakan. This is the main reason I chose True.

Here are the prices for the iPhone 4 handset only:
- 16GB Price 22,250 Baht (VAT included 23,807.50 Baht).
- 32GB Price 26,000 Baht (VAT included 27,820 Baht).

Prices for the iPhone 4 if you have a data package:
- 16GB Price 20,650 Baht (VAT included 22,095.50 Baht).
- 32GB Price 23,900 Baht (VAT included 25,573 Baht).

The following are the new data packages for the iPhone 4 at AIS:

Mini: 275 baht, 150 mins free call, 100 free SMS, 20 free MMS, 20 MB free internet
Medium: 519 baht, 250 mins free call, 250 free SMS, 30 free MMS, 500 MB internet
Max: 839 baht, 500 mins free call, 300 free SMS, 50 free MMS, unlimited internet

[link for their website]

The following are the new data packages for the iPhone 4 at DTAC:

1Phone S: 449 baht, 225 mins free call, 200 free SMS, 30 free MMS, 100 MB free DTAC internet
iPhone M: 580 baht, 250 mins free call, 300 free SMS, 50 free MMS, unlimited DTAC internet
iPhone L: 699 baht, 350 mins free call, 400 free SMS, 75 free MMS, unlimited DTAC internet

[link for their website]

The following are the new data packages for the iPhone 4 at TrueMove:

S: 399 baht, 100 mins free call, 50 free SMS, 20 free MMS, 200 MB free Edge, 200 MB 3G, 10 hours WiFi
M: 579 baht, 250 mins free call, 300 free SMS, 50 free MMS, unlimited Edge, 500 MB 3G, 20 hours WiFi
L: 799 baht, 450 mins free call, 400 free SMS, 100 free MMS, unlimited Edge, 1GB 3G, Unlimited WiFi

Free size: 599 baht, 300 mins free call, 300 free SMS, 50 free MMS, unlimited Edge, unlimited 3G, unlimited WiFi

The "Free Size" package is open to anyone with an iPhone no matter where the bought it.

True has a footnote for their "unlimited" 3G which says "subject to TrueMove fair usage policy".

[link for their website]

Filed under: Latest News 58 Comments

Pictures of the True iPhone 4 Launch

Posted on September 23, 2010

This evening I gate-crashed TrueMove's launch party for the iPhone 4 at Siam Paragon. Lot's of HiSo people, movie stars, pop stars and wannabies. The only person I know in this picture, far right, is @WoodyTalk as he follows me on Twitter. Apparently he is a talk show host.

Plenty of celebrities who seemed to already have an iPhone 4. I took pictures of a few of them but the free beer and food was more interesting! I had a play with an iPhone 4 for the first time and was impressed with the quality of pictures in low light conditions.

Outside the Paragon Hall, the "commoners" were all lined up to be escorted in to buy their iPhone 4 handsets. As you can see the queue is very long. Looked like about 500 people. I did ask but the staff were tight-lipped.

A picture of the first guy in the queue to buy an iPhone 4 handset.

He had his pictures taken dozens of times by the media.

I'll be going back to Siam Paragon tomorrow morning to collect my iPhone 4 handset. Looking forward to having a better quality camera and also a flash. Not sure yet if we can change our SIM here straight away or not for the MicroSIM. I would presume you can. I'll let you know tomorrow.

UPDATE: Number of people booking iPhone 4 in Thailand: AIS - 30,000 people, DTAC - 16,000 people, True - 53,000 people.

Filed under: Latest News 4 Comments

AIS Release Prices for iPhone 4

Posted on September 23, 2010

All three carriers in Thailand are selling the iPhone 4 at exactly the same price. The midnight launch is tonight and is already fully booked. AIS sold all their quota and now have none left. We expect the same to happen with DTAC and True. In the meantime, we now have the official prices from AIS for the iPhone 4 and their data packages.

Here are the prices for the iPhone 4 handset only:
- 16GB Price 22,250 Baht (VAT included 23,807.50 Baht).
- 32GB Price 26,000 Baht (VAT included 27,820 Baht).

Prices for the iPhone 4 if you have a data package with AIS:
- 16GB Price 20,650 Baht (VAT included 22,095.50 Baht).
- 32GB Price 23,900 Baht (VAT included 25,573 Baht).

As you can see, AIS are selling the iPhone at exactly the same price as TrueMove and DTAC as it is fixed by Apple. This is cheaper than expected and will obviously effect grey market prices at MBK. Last week they were selling the 32GB for 32,000 baht which is about 7,000 baht more expensive  that the official prices.

The following are the new data packages for the iPhone 4 at AIS:

Mini: 275 baht, 150 mins free call, 100 free SMS, 20 free MMS, 20 MB free internet
Medium: 519 baht, 250 mins free call, 250 free SMS, 30 free MMS, 500 MB internet
Max: 839 baht, 500 mins free call, 300 free SMS, 50 free MMS, unlimited internet

Click here to see package prices for DTAC.

Filed under: Latest News 8 Comments

DTAC Release Prices for iPhone 4

Posted on September 23, 2010

Despite the launch of the iPhone 4 tonight by DTAC, AIS and TrueMove, most customers do not yet know the price of the handset and the new data packages prices. Yesterday, we blogged the leaked prices from TrueMove, now we have just received a leak from the DTAC camp.

Here are the prices for the iPhone 4 handset only:
- 16GB Price 22,250 Baht (VAT included 23,807.50 Baht).
- 32GB Price 26,000 Baht (VAT included 27,820 Baht).

Prices for the iPhone 4 if you have a data package with DTAC:
- 16GB Price 20,650 Baht (VAT included 22,095.50 Baht).
- 32GB Price 23,900 Baht (VAT included 25,573 Baht).

As you can see, DTAC are selling the iPhone at exactly the same price as TrueMove as it is fixed by Apple. What will vary are the prices of the data packages.

The following are the new data packages for the iPhone 4 at DTAC:

1Phone S: 449 baht, 225 mins free call, 200 free SMS, 30 free MMS, 100 MB free DTAC internet
iPhone M: 580 baht, 250 mins free call, 300 free SMS, 50 free MMS, unlimited DTAC internet
iPhone L: 699 baht, 350 mins free call, 400 free SMS, 75 free MMS, unlimited DTAC internet

Filed under: Latest News 1 Comment

True Sends Invites for iPhone Launch

Posted on September 23, 2010

Late last night I finally received an email from TrueMove about the iPhone Launch. This is a result from registering on their website the other month. At the time they made a big thing about us being the first to know about release date and prices. As it turns out, TrueMove customers have been the LAST to receive their invites. (By the way, if you registered interest in an iPhone 4 with TrueMove but cannot see the email then please check your spam box straight away. Most people are reporting that is where theirs ended up.) I clicked on the link in the email to register and found out that the midnight launch tonight is already fully booked. The only other time slot with True is tomorrow 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Siam Paragon. But, that might go fast. That is what happened to the AIS launch. They are selling the iPhone over four days from 23-26 September. True is only doing two days, tonight and tomorrow.

As some of you know, I have already received an invitation from TrueMove (see here) to attend a seminar this afternoon at Siam Paragon. They said that if I attended that then I would be eligible to attend the official launch in the evening. But, that would mean going to a seminar from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., having a five hour wait and then going back at 10 p.m. for the midnight launch! I guess I'm getting old as midnight launches don't really excite me any more. So, I registered again using this new invite to reserve an iPhone 4 which I can apparently pick up tomorrow at a more civilized time of 10 a.m. At the moment, we still haven't been told an official price, despite the leak yesterday, and still no official word about the data packages. But, it would seem that when we buy the iPhone 4 tomorrow they will move us to the new iPhone package which we are presuming is going to be more expensive.

Is this how it worked during the release in America? Was everyone in the dark about the price of the handset even on the day of the launch?

Filed under: Latest News 8 Comments