Its the OP here. We ended up finding WiFi often enough so we didn't need the data package as it turned out.
So your iPhone uses GSM (SIM card) obviously, not CDMA? Also, is your iPhone unlocked to use SIM cards from other providers?
Ok, sounds good! Any idea which (China Telecom or China Mobile) works best south of Kunming?
Also, are there many places offering wifi south of Kunming?
Thanks for the info!
If you are flexible, I'd recommend choosing any other beach destination other than Phuket. If you are stuck with Phuket, try to stay away from Patong...but then again, it depends what you are looking for in a beach resort. This is the most commercial, tasteless, corrupt, developed, etc resort places in Thailand or maybe SE Asia for that matter. The beach is big and beautiful but its crammed full of tourists, expensive and just so commercial and touristy. For me, its the opposite of what I like about going to a beach. The whole island seems to be fairly developed but Patong is by far the worst and seediest. If it were me, I would stay somewhere else on the island, and maybe just check out Patong if you wanna go party and see some action.
Also, ya, diving in Ko Tao sounds like a great idea. Small little island with a cool vibe. Not too built up aside from a few big diving resorts and not seedy at all. Ko Phangan is full of really private secluded gorgeous beaches if you don't stay on Haad Rin. If you stay in Samui at all (most developed of these 3 islands), then check out "New Hut" between the two main beaches. It offers cool simple little A-frame huts right on the beach and is one of the cheapest places you will find on the island. Not many places like this left on Samui.
As far as Bangkok, if you aren't staying around Khao San Rd, than you are likely to spend at least 1000b per night, easily more. So you can use that as a guideline if you are looking at prices online. Being near the skytrain or subway line is a huge convenience.
In Bangkok, avoid TukTuks altogether. Taxis are very cheap IF you use the meter. Don't allow them to bargain a price. Before sitting down, just make sure that they agree to use the meter and you'll have a shockingly cheap ride. Skytrain is even cheaper and way faster though but you need to be near a line of course.
These fees that I am referring to are nothing to do with my home bank which of course does not exist in China. As I said, my home bank charges $5 for each international ATM withdrawal.
To simplify the question, do any of the ATMs in China give you a message like, "You will be charged _?_RMB for this transaction. Would you like to continue?".
Again, when using any foreign ATM card in Thailand, some bank's ATMs give you this message and some don't, and you are charged accordingly.
On forums like these in TL, foreigners have determined which brand of bank offer no fees for foreign ATM cards so I thought it might also be common knowledge to foreigners in China. Not a big deal either way though.
I guess an even better question is, "Are there many places offering wifi in restaurants, bars, guesthouses, etc in this same area?"
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