Communication

Telephone

Country Code: 66
Area Code: 076
IDD Code: 001

When calling Phuket from overseas you need to leave out the ‘0’ at the beginning of the area code, so you would dial 66-76-...

To call overseas from Thailand, you first need to dial the international direct dial (IDD) access code, which is 001, followed by the relevant country code (001 + country code + area code + phone number), e.g. Australia (61), so you would dial 001-61-XXX XX

Payphones: There are a number of different types of public payphones in Phuket

Regular coin-operated phones: These can be used for local or long distance domestic calls and are found along busy streets.
Card-phones: These are orange and can usually be found next to the coin-operated pay phones. You can purchase a phone card from convenience stores, such as 7-Elevens, at a post office and Telephone Authority offices.
International phone booths: These are yellow and are found in popular tourist areas, such as Patong and Phuket City. You can purchase a pre-paid card from some mobile phone shops and convenience stores. Alternatively, they also accept credit cards. Call rates are reasonable; a call to the US is around 20 baht per minute
 

Mobiles

Thailand has GSM 900/1800/1900 networks. Network operators include Advanced Info Service (TH AIS), Digital Phone Company Ltd (GSM 1800), Total Access Comms Co (DTAC) and Truemove (formerly Orange).

Mobile phone coverage is generally good in Phuket, Phi Phi Island and neighbouring islands. Check with your service provider if you need to enable an international roaming option, and also what the call tariffs are as they can be expensive. You may also be charged for receiving calls, not just making them. One option is to divert your calls while you are away, and stick to text messages. International text messaging is very cheap and is a convenient way to keep in touch with friends and family while you are away.

An alternative, particularly if you plan to spend some time in Phuket, is to purchase a local pre-pay SIM card from the many mobile phone shops around the island. Local SIM cards start at about 300 baht, although you may need to pay to have your phone unlocked to be able to use a different SIM card. You will also need to take a long a copy of your passport in order to purchase a prepaid SIM card.

Local and national calls are very cheap, usually about 5 baht per min, while international call rates are reasonable. Having a local SIM also means you won't have to pay when someone calls you from back home

Internet Cafes

Internet cafes can be found all over Phuket which provide Internet access. Rates are very reasonable, with prices ranging between 30 - 150 Baht per hour, depending on the speed of connection and type of establishment. Generally, Internet cafes in Phuket City are cheaper than those near the beach. Some charge by the minute and have a minimum charge (usually between 10 - 15 minutes), while other establishments may charge by the hour.

Some hotels provide Internet connections in their rooms or WiFi  throughout the property. More common is a business centre or Internet cafe in the hotel which provides Internet access, at a premium of course.

There is a small Internet cafe at Phuket Airport in the departure hall. It is not cheap but is great for passing the time while waiting for your flight or sending a quick email home

WiFi

There are now a few WiFi hotspots in Phuket, which allow you to connect to the Internet if you have a notebook with a wireless network card.