Digital IDs, biometrics, and global surveillance systems are rolling out, and headlines suggest Thailand is next. In this video, I break down whether Thailand is truly becoming a police state like the West, or if this is just another case of the government saying one thing and doing another.

Here’s the clear technical summary of the recent change in Thailand’s telecom rules regarding prepaid SIM cards and why you’re seeing top-up validity no longer extend indefinitely for certain SIM types. What Changed with Thailand SIM/Telecom Rules Thailand’s telecom regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), updated rules that affect how long prepaid SIM cards (especially tourist SIMs) stay valid and whether you can extend them by topping up credit. Major telecom news outlets report that one of the new measures prohibits extending tourist SIM cards beyond a fixed maximum period by simply adding credit. Under the updated rules, tourist SIMs have a maximum validity of 60 days, and you cannot use a top-up to extend that beyond 60 days—even if you add more airtime or data. After that period you must re-register or buy a new SIM. nationthailand+1 This rule is part of a broader set of telecom and cybercrime counter-measure regulations that the NBTC has put in place to tighten control over SIM usage, partly to reduce fraud and unregistered or abandoned SIM cards. nationthailand How It Works in Practice Previously, Thai prepaid SIMs (especially non-tourist local SIMs) would renew validity each time you topped up with airtime or a data bundle: a 10–20 baht top-up often added a month of validity, and you could stack these to keep a number alive for a year or more. Under current NBTC rules for tourist SIMs, that no-extension cap means: - You get up to 60 days of service from activation. - No amount of top-ups will extend the SIM past 60 days. - To keep a number after 60 days you must purchase and register a new SIM. nationthailand Local prepaid SIMs (non-tourist plans bought with full ID rather than “tourist SIM” products) may still allow extension with top-ups, but the new tourist-specific rule is strict and commonly carried by operators. NBTC’s intent is to discourage long dormancy and improve traceability for security reasons.

Thought I’d share what apps I’m rocking on a daily out here in Thailand. Many of them you should download as soon as you get here. 🚗 Getting Around Grab - Basically the Uber of Thailand. Reliable taxis, food delivery and more. Bolt - Usually cheaper than Grab. I go to it if Grab is on a mad one and prices are stupidly high. inDrive - Not many people know about this but a lot of the Thais use it and it's really reliable and cheap! You can negotiate the price yourself too. 💸 Money Stuff Bangkok Bank - If you live here, you know. "Scan to pay" (PromptPay) is life. Wise - The best way to get money into your Thai bank account from a foreign account. 📦 Buying Stuff Lazada - Basically the Thai version of Amazon. Don't need a bank account either can pay cash on delivery. AliExpress - Good for cheap gadgets and random stuff I don't need immediately (shipping takes forever but it's cheap). Foodpanda - Good food delivery app. 🛠 The Essentials LINE - In Thailand people don't use WhatsApp much they use Line! Has cool stickers too (very asian) Google Translate - Don't forget you can live scan Thai and see it in English, think menus, etc. myAIS - If you want the best mobile plan, go into an AIS store and buy a 50 baht sim card with no plan on it. Download this app and buy a plan yourself. You can get unlimited internet for a year for around 1800 THB last time I checked. Skool - To hang out with you guys obviously! 😉 🫤 Honourable Mentions Sh**t! I Smoke - Kinda depressing but necessary up north. Tells you the air quality in "cigarettes smoked." 7-Eleven - Haven't had the patience to set it up yet but soon I too will become one of those annoying fuckers who holds up the line so I can get my points. If you live in Thailand let me know in the comments what I’m missing or what you guys are using!

I finally found enough signal to send this out! We’ve been spending Christmas week deep in my wife’s village where there is absolutely no cell service or internet. It’s been amazing to completely unplug, and I was even able to bring my mum along for the trip. I’m posting a few photos of our time off the grid below. Now that I’m reconnected... what is everyone doing for their Christmas?

Hi all. Any recommendations for a co-working space in chiang mai please. I'm there in a week or so