Phone calls
Australia: to call Australia, the international access code is 00, followed by the country code 61, then the local area code (omitting the first 0), then the number.
New Zealand: to call New Zealand, the international access code is 00, followed by the country code 64, then the local area code (omitting the first 0), then the number.
International and national phone calls can be made from hotel rooms, or from central post offices for a charge. Phone sim cards bought at home or in Southeast Asia can be used in most public pay phones, but if you plan to use these to call from your room – always check the costs and procedure with hotel reception beforehand. If the hotel does enforce a call charge, you will be unable to refute it after making your call.
Mobile phones
Vietnam & Cambodia: These countries use the GSM mobile network – the same as Australia/New Zealand. You will find great coverage in both countries; however, SMS and call rates can be expensive. We recommend that you contact your mobile supplier if you intend to use international roaming during your holiday and ensure you investigate all associated costs
before you depart.
Laos: Mobile phone coverage is available in cities and towns, however is not reliable in mountain and rural areas.
Thailand: Mobile phones are very popular in Thailand and should have coverage as long as you have activated Global Roaming. You may need to speak to your mobile provider prior to travel to organise this.
Myanmar: The telecommunication system in Myanmar is still very poor in standards. Myanmar uses a GSM mobile phone network. If you choose to take your mobile with you, please be aware that international roaming will not function with your own number; although it is possible to purchase a prepaid SIM card in Rangoon. You may need to ask your guide for assistance in purchasing this. The cost for a SIM card is roughly 25,000 Kyat. It will cost approximately 90 cents a minute for an international call.
Malaysia/Borneo: Use the GSM mobile network – the same as Australia/ New Zealand. You will find great coverage in both countries; however, SMS and call rates can be expensive. We recommend that you contact your mobile supplier if you intend to use international roaming during your holiday and ensure you investigate all associated costs before you depart.
Postage
We recommend that you use the Post Offices, rather than your hotel to post items. There are no regulation envelope or package sizes in Southeast Asia; as long as you take it to the Post Office unsealed. All packages need to be inspected (also forms completed and fees paid) beforehand. Posting DVDs, CD ROMs, etc is not allowed. From capital cities or major towns, airmail letters and postcards take 10-20 working days to arrive and from smaller towns, they will take over a month. We advise you to use a courier service (e.g. E.M.S from Post Offices) to send anything valuable or important. In Myanmar, the postal service is considered unreliable and letters sometimes take months to arrive at their destination.
Internet and email
Most hotels have free Wi-Fi included in either the hotel lobby and/or rooms. The Wi-Fi connection will vary, with rural areas likely to have slower connection. Internet cafes can be found in all major cities and even in some small towns.