I recently had two ex contract phones unlocked in BKK, as I was giving them to the wife brothers they both worked well until the unlocking, after that the batterys would not hold the charge for more than a couple of hours, leaving me to think the shop swapped the battery for old ones, if anyone else is thinking to do the same I would recommend you mark the battery

Think that is very good advice. In fact I would take the battery out yourself and just give the phone while you wait or return.

I can imagine with marking the battery and finding out it was swapped they would deny knowledge of it.

Derren

Never had a problem yet,always go to the same people in the MBK center. Had loads unlocked.There again,I never go myself,always send the wife,perhaps that is why!!

Funnily enough it was MBK where I had mine unlocked, and it was the wife who took them ,must have been my lucky day.

Talking of MBK and batteries - a bought a 'genuine' Nokia battery there last year - complete with Nokia packaging which included a hologram. Batttery struggled to last more then 3-4 hours after a full charge - nuff said!

Had a similar experience with some 'Sanyo' rechargeable batteries that I bought for a camera.

Buy most of my technology in Thailand especially mobiles. Always worked excellently throughout the world and at great value. Never dream of buying a locked mobile nor a contract in the UK for that matter.

How much do you guys normally pay for unlocking? I live in Tooting, South London and every other shop boasts an unlocking service! Most charge £5 - £10 so have usually used them. What's the usual cost in LOS? Heading out there next week..

i am not aware of any 3 mobile phones which can be unlocked in thailand though...... ok for other networks though

Well last year they charged me 100bt for a Nokia on orange, this time I had a 3 mobile which could not be unlocked in the UK, went to several shops in MBK they ask for 600bt the guy we used in the end charged 300bt, he probably made the rest up on my Batteries.

3 or any network, makes no difference to the unlocking, it's the phone model that counts. Everything is unlockable but the price of some makes it uneconomic.

Jack

I took a pair of Motorola V970 on the 3 Network to four different shops in Coventry, one said he could do it for £10 he gave up after 20 minutes , it took the Thai guy three minutes.
I would be very careful about buying a mobile in LOS I was told most were Chinese copies, and if you watched the Fake trade on TV you could well believe it, most mobile I seen were cheaper here on pay as u go anyway and don’t forget you have no warranty in LOS unless you buy from a genuine dealer.

On my recent holiday in Thailand I purchased a Nokia 6300 works great was already unlocked to any network the best thing about buying a Thai phone you can text in Thai or English the phone works great here no problems. Plus it was supplied with leather case and 20 pounds cheaper after some haggle.

Hi Bilbo so how much was it in BHT.

Quite a few models of Nokia can be unlocked for free here.

Packpao

I was quoted 700 in bkk and about 12 hours to do it. it involves a bit more than just punching in a code (so i,m told.)

My wife bought a mobile phone from Tesco's in the UK. A Nokia on a pay as you go contract with ten pounds worth of calls.I cannot remember the model but she said it was much cheaper than the same model in Thailand. On coming to Thailand she paid 400 Baht to have the phone unlocked and Thai script installed. She can now receive texts in Thai, but sending Thai texts is a problem because of course the phone keys have no Thai characters on them!

Hi

Just in case you've all forgotten me here ( probably two years since I last posted ) If anyone needs a Sony Ericsson, Samsung or Nokia language change ( Add Thai ) in the UK ...email me and I will do for FREE.. I am a phone engineer that has a repair / unlock shop in Redhill Surrey. ( mobyfix@hotmail.com )


However if you have bucket loads of phones to language change, unlock and take to Thai I will make a nominal charge for my time.

You would need to send to me Special Delivery to Caterham, Surrey and turnaround is about 48 hours. Any delivery costs will need to be paid for by you ( can't unlock, debrand for free and pay all postage !!! ) We unlock most Sony Ericsson Nokia Motorola and Samsung.

Regards

Duncan

Duncan,

Very kind offer, thanks!