You are here: Home / Law & Politics / Best VPN for Thailand: Learn How to Protect Your Online Privacy (2022)

Best VPN for Thailand: Learn How to Protect Your Online Privacy (2022)

Everything you do online in Thailand is tracked and logged by Internet Service Providers and can be accessed by the government.

In a nutshell, you are being watched.

Moreover, hackers are getting smarter, particularly over public WIFI systems.

And that's why you need a VPN in Thailand: to protect your personal data and right to privacy.

The New Cyber Security Bill

In February 2019, Thailand’s government passed a controversial cybersecurity bill that has been criticized for its potential to enable sweeping access to internet user data.

It gives authorities the right to access emails, telephone records, computer data and even postal mail without court approval (1).

Then, in October 2019, Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta announced that coffee shops must keep WIFI user traffic data, known as a log file, for at least 90 days in line with Section 26 of the Computer Crime Act (2).

This sounds startling, but an increase in the monitoring of web traffic began a number of years back.

Since 2015, Seven major Thai online service providers have been working with the Thai government to tackle the spread of illegal content on the web such as pornography, terrorism, drugs, spam, phishing and copyright infringement.

A 2018 report by Privacy International concluded the following:

Privacy International has conducted previous investigations into the Thai government’s surveillance of social media as a tool of intimidation. This report demonstrates how the practice is not only expanding, but the government is also experimenting with other forms of surveillance.

Privacy International is concerned about the increasing monitoring of social media and other internet-based communications (3).

I must note that the government has strongly denied these allegations (4).

The PI report uncovered the use of fairly low-grade tech. The nature of these surveillance methods means you can safely say that using a VPN will help keep your privacy safe.

If you want quick recommendations for the best VPN for Thailand then see the two below.

I use both, interchangeably.

If you want to learn more about internet security in Thailand, and see a deep dive on these recommendations, read on.

best-vpn-thailand

A VPN protects you from ISP tracking, government snooping and hackers.

The “Snooping Initiative”

Thailand has cracked down heavily on dissidents in recent years. Anyone criticizing the country or leadership on social media or email is at risk of detention.

But Thailand is also getting tougher on spammers, lawbreakers and of all things, copyright infringers.

I know. Thailand is the last place on earth you’d expect to get in trouble for copyright infringement, particularly when this has always been the one place people come to get their yearly supply of fake handbags, bootleg DVDs and Polo shirts.

But Thailand has had to step up its game in this regard.

It had become a safe haven for internet spammers, web fraudsters, hackers, those selling prescription drugs online, torrent users and basically anyone doing any kind of online activity considered illegal in the Western world.

But under pressure from the international community, Thailand is getting tougher with online security. It wants to ensure that it is in favor when it comes to trade agreements and diplomacy with Europe and America.

Thailand & the NSA

To fall in with the big boys, Thailand is expected to start regulating online copyright infringement, and help the NSA gather information by invading the privacy of its citizens and guests by investigating their online activity and reporting back to big brother.

The “snooping initiative” began way back in 2013.

The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) began working with the PKI Association, the TISA (Thailand Information Security Association), THE Internet Foundation for the Development of Thailand, THE Thailand ISP Association, the Thai e-Commerce Association, Google Asia Pacific and eBay to create the country's first self-enforced code of conduct for preventing illegal content on the web.

The US National Security Agency uses computer servers in Thailand to help run a massive collection of information about internet users, and to store and analyze the data. ~ Bangkok Post (5).

Your Privacy at Risk

So what does this mean for you?

Thailand doesn’t mess around when it comes to enforcing the law, particularly where foreign nationals are concerned. Though Thai nationals are also under threat.

Consider Mr Karn Pongpraphapan, arrested in October 2019 by the Crime Suppression Division for having an inappropriate hashtag posted on a thread he started, which was deemed to be stirring up hatred (6).

But just how serious will this crackdown on online activity get?

I mean, we’ve heard the word “crackdown” bounded around in Thailand so many times over so many issues that it doesn’t really hold much weight in our minds anymore.

And what does “preventing illegal content on the web” actually mean?

Prosecution Cases

Well, remember the spate of ridiculous court cases brought by the RIAA in the US? (7)

Remember 12 year old Brianna LaHara who was fined $2,000, or Wisconsin grandfather Fred Lawrence who ended up smacked with a $60,000 lawsuit.

Or how about 66-year-old grandmother of three, Lola Scruse, who was fined $6,000 because her grandchildren downloaded songs onto her computer – she was on dialysis and lived off of Social Security checks at the time.

With the expanded reach of the Computer Crime Act and dedicated cyber police units, online privacy is now a concern for us all.

The last thing you want is the police to come to your apartment or hotel with a piece of paper from the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) that says you need to pay a fine or go to jail.

Thailand now has the internet snooping powers of the Western world. This means foreign nationals must abide by the laws.

What might seem like a harmless download of a movie, a visit to a naughty website, a silly #hashtag or joke about the government on Facebook may end up with your mug shot on a Thai Visa news piece.

arrested thailand online activity

Even powerful Pirate Bay owner & internet guru Hans Fredrik Lennart could not buy off the Thai police.

Censorship of Free Speech

It's not just about illegal content like downloading movies or music. It's about dissent.

The authorities want to get over the political problems of the past decade, and part of that means making sure people don't share negative media or write negatively about Thailand on social networking platforms.

It also means monitoring the sites people use.

A few years ago the Thai authorities banned access to The Daily Mail (7), and investigated the BBC for allegedly insulting the monarchy (8).

Those who oppose the authorities, and their friends are being monitored. So be careful who you're friends with on Twitter and Facebook, and what you watch, share and download.

It might sound a bit like I'm fear-mongering here, but this is the reality – not just in Thailand but the world over.

Instability and insecurity are making the powers that be very paranoid, and as such they need to see what we bad citizens are up to at all times.

Even if it sounds over the top, it doesn't hurt to protect yourself. You have a right to privacy.

Stay Anonymous – Get a VPN!

I don’t download music or films illegally, but I do enjoy my privacy. I believe every citizen has the right to privacy online.

That aside, work is my primary reason for using a VPN, because I need to access sites from US and European servers for particularly tasks.

Moreover, I have been hacked in the past, and it isn't a nice experience when all your personal banking information finds its way into the hands of fraudsters (beware open public WIFI connections).

Aside from protecting my data, these laws really concern me.

I don’t want to be accused of spending time on inappropriate sites after innocently clicking a link sent to me by a friend from the other side of the world, or in Thailand.

I don't want to accused of insulting Thailand for liking the “wrong post” on Facebook or Twitter.

A VPN helps prevent all of the above by keeping you anonymous.

thai internet law

Best VPN for Thailand: My Recommendations

1: VyprVPN

Based out of Switzerland, VyprVPN has a great reputation for security, particularly for the work it has done in defeating the great China firewall.

It boasts 700 servers, over 200,000 IP addresses, and handles data end-to-end with no reliance on third party infrastructure. This means the highest level of privacy and security are guaranteed.

Switzerland is notorious for being privacy conscious, and the fact Vypr is based there and not the US or UK means no log files will be shared with authorities.

Coverage & Ease of Use:

VyprVPN has solid coverage in Asia, with servers in Thailand, Singapore and Australia. The latter two I use regularly, as the speeds are very good.

Here's a screenshot of VyprVPN on my desktop/laptop:

vypr vpn dashboard

Now I'm in New York (hehe).

Can you see the kill switch? It automatically stops all traffic if Vypr becomes disconnected. And switching on the site blocker helps you avoid malicious sites.

Easy to use, self-explanatory, and very secure.

vyper-vpn-kill-switch

VyprVPN can be used across all your devices, and simultaneously too.

Here's some screenshots of the VyprVPN app on my iPhone (they cater for Android devices, too):

vyprvpn app Thailand

Pricing:

The new VyprVPN pricing for 2022 offers a monthly plan and an annual plan.

If you opt for a year you can almost half the price of a monthly subscription.

Both plans offer the following:

  • 30-day money back guarantee
  • 5 simultaneous connections
  • Unlimited high-speed bandwidth
  • Apps for all devices
  • 70+ global server locations
  • Chameleon Protocol
  • No bandwidth or data limits
  • No third-party infrastructure
  • Fully audited no-log service
  • Connection available to 46 streaming libraries (Netflix, etc).

If you're wondering what the Chameleon Protocol is: this technology uses scrambled metadata to prevent VPN blocking, which is something you may experience in China or countries that try to block the use of a VPN.

vypr-pricing-feb-2022

+ Click here to find out more

2: Nord VPN

Based in Panama, NordVPN uses military grade encryption to shield your internet activity from hackers and malware, protect you on public Wi-Fi networks, and even block annoying ads.

It basically does what Vypr does; the two are very much on a par.

There are no data retention laws in Panama and therefore Nord remains log-less and secure, though unlike Vypr Nord has not been officially audited and verified a No Log VPN.

Nord has over 5,763 servers across 65 countries, so you certainly aren't short of a place to connect to.

Coverage & Ease of Use:

You can secure up to 6 devices (simultaneously) with a single NordVPN account, and connect computers, smartphones, and routers. You can use the apps available for iPhone and Android.

Nord has 5 servers in Thailand and over 630 in Asia-Pacific. There are plenty of options to connect locally and enjoy a fast connection.

On desktop (seen below) Nord is really easy to use. Select a server or use ‘Quick Connect' for the fastest server.

nordvpn-desktop

With the Kill Switch on (seen below), if your VPN connection is interrupted your internet will cut out so that your location and browsing activity is not revealed.

NordVPN-mobile

Pricing:

The NordVPN 2022 pricing offers 3 plans: monthly, 1-year, and 2-year.

The Nord 1-year plan is $3 cheaper per month than Vypr, and the 2-year plan works out $1 cheaper than the 1-year. The 1-month plan is $3 cheaper than Vypr.

nord-pricing-feb-2022

  • Access 5,755 servers worldwide
  • No logs policy
  • No bandwidth or data limits
  • Connect 6 devices at the same time
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

+ Click here for the discounted price

Recommendations Comparison, In Summary

Nord Vs VyprVPN:

  1. Security: Both companies are based in secure locations. Neither company pass user data to the authorities like US and UK-based VPN companies may do.
  2. Logging: Neither company keep personal details or IP logs. They only keep your order information. However, Vypr has the advantage over Nord here because of being publicly audited and officially verified as logless.
  3. Third Party Infrastructure: This is where Vypr has the upper hand on most VPN services. They own all their own servers and hardware. Nord doesn't. This means Vypr can fix issues much faster, and can guarantee that they preside over and secure every single connection.
  4. Military Grade Encryption: Both companies protect your IP address and make sure that no one else can see which websites you visit or what files you download.
  5. Kill Switch: When activated this switch cuts off your internet connection if your VPN becomes disconnected. This protects your location being revealed over the connection. Both Vypr and Nord have kill switches.
  6. Excellent Coverage: Both work very well in Thailand and SE Asia due to the volume of available servers.
  7. Mobile & Desktop: You can connect on your laptop, tablet, phone, router, etc.
  8. Streaming Services: Vypr covers 46 services like Netflix, Amazon, Disney, HBO, Hulu, et al, whereas Nord covers fewer but still all the main ones.

Still Unsure What a VPN Does?

A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that secures your computer's internet connection to guarantee that all of the data you're sending and receiving is encrypted and secured from prying eyes.

Without a VPN in Thailand, your data can be logged, monitored, analyzed and stored by the authorities or your network administrator.

You're also at risk of being hacked or spied on by your network peers: those in your apartment complex, or at the café, airport or any other public place.

Your ISP or network administrator may also be limiting or restricting your access to certain websites and services. And then there’s the wider issue that sites you visit are probably collecting your personal data for advertising purposes.

Public Networks

The worrying thing about being in Thailand is living in a condo block and sharing a network with other residents. Such networks are sub-contracted to an amateur web guy who sells on the services of True, 3BB and alike to folks like you and I.

This means that your network administrator or condo building peers could be spying on your computer. I know this because I had someone in my building trying to connect to my Mac last month (“name wants to join your network” – no thank you!)

There are thousands of hackers living in Thailand, and your unsecured connection is easy fishing for them, especially if they have a deal going with the network manager which allows them backdoor access to the system.

And then there are those public places with free access to unsecured WiFi connections. These are prime hacking spots for hackers to gain access to your email account, online bank accounts and other confidential information.

A VPN is also an essential tool for writers, journalists, whistleblowers, forum users and anyone conducting online research. It's a very real possibility that writing, commenting on or viewing the wrong content online in Thailand will put you on the radar.

So for the sake of a few dollars a month, it’s an essential investment.

With a good VPN, you simply eliminate the risk or being spied on, hacked or having your data collected as you surf. You remain anonymous, closing the door on prying eyes. Period.

What's the Best VPN for Thailand?

If you’ve seen any of those review sites that list top 5 VPN’s for Thailand or similar, don’t bother.

These sites are just recommending their preferred VPNs in general. The reviews aren’t Thailand specific and they recommend pretty much the same services for each country.

I work online and I’ve used 6 VPN services since moving to Thailand, so I know what works well here inside the Land of Smiles.

Not all VPN’s are created equally, either: There are 4 key things you need to consider:

  1. Number of Servers: This determines how many countries you can pretend to be connected in. So, while you might be staying in Thailand, you can pretend to be in Italy, for example.
  2. Connection Speed: Some VPN’s take ages to boot up once you click on the software that you have to load once connected to the web. The better services take less than 10 seconds on average.
  3. Performance: Some just didn't work well for me in Thailand. One free service was in fact blocked by True internet.
  4. Security: Some VPN services store your browsing history and location details for lengthy periods of time. Some even share this data with government authorities. I won't use a VPN company that stores anything for more than 30 days (locally). I certainly wouldn't use one that shares my information with third parties.

VPN in a Nutshell

A VPN is essential for avoiding hackers, and for browsing and downloading files anonymously.

If you often access your bank accounts online while abroad, it will also provide an additional layer of security against the bad guys.

A VPN lets you conceal your personal information and your location (IP address) online from snooping by your internet service provider. This means they can't pass your information to local and foreign authorities.

Furthermore, you can also watch and read restricted content without it being blocked by the Thai authorities.

Additionally, you can bypass territorial restrictions on Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, etc., and stream movies and series from wherever you are.

> Click to visit VyprVPN <

> Click to visit NordVPN <

I know a fair bit about internet security and using VPNs. So if you have a question, pop it in the comments section below and I'll answer it for you.

The Thai Bites Newsletter
Receive my monthly roundup of posts with tips on living and traveling in Thailand.

Last Updated on

Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Joe C. says

    Hi. I am currently in the States and may have a need to work for my American based company for about a month while in Thailand. My company provides VPN; but will using one of suggested providers add an extra layer of protection?
    Reply

        • JamesE says

          Not a problem. If you're on Windows you can run VPNs in parallel as long as only one is connected at a time. So you could have Vypr and AnyConnect Client active at the same time as long as only one is connected. You'll have to disable auto-connect/reconnect and the kill switches but otherwise it's easy. I use two - Vypr and Surfshark, total cost is US$4/month - as many services like online banking and streaming are actively fighting VPN use so you'll find it helps to server hop or service hop to get connected sometime. I assume it would be the same with Nord (although at a slightly higher cost).
          Reply

  3. MLeaf says

    I use vypr and have it on now (kill switch and all) but what about getting taxis, looking up gps-based directions, food orders, etc? You'd have to disable it then, wouldn't you?

    Would you recommend always keeping it running except those instances? I don't always keep it running 24/7 but the more I read from you and others, the more I think I should....
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      If you manage location permission at the app level you can do both. (This is on my iPhone but I've done something similar on a previous Android phone.) You keep location services running on the device but go through your apps and either disable their access to location information, set the app's location setting to "only while running", or set the location setting for an app to use the imprecise location (I'm not sure if Android does this yet). App level settings allow you to turn off location where it might be detrimental - like trying to access an overseas bank, make it a wider area - if you're search for ATMs, restaurants, etc, or keep it precise for using Grab or navigation.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Like Tunnel Bear Vypr and Nord both have a UK server. All VPNs will. You'll also get many European countries too. I used to use Tunnelbear many years ago. I loved the little graphic of the bear tunneling around the world but it was unreliable at times. I'm sure it's better now tough. Research whether they use their own infrastructure though, because reliability issues come about when a company is using lots of shared third party infrastructure
      Reply

    • Phil Lowney says

      One thing to consider is jurisdiction, and whether the VPN company is based in a country where it could be mandated to hand over its data due to local legislation. It's a good idea to reconsider companies based in their of the 5 Eyes or 14 Eyes alliances. I chose Surfshark based in the British Virgin Islands. There are others in Romania and the like, and a company based in Panama like Nord is a good bet, and I can watch BBC iPlayer when connected to UK servers.
      Reply

  5. david mills says

    I'm 78, lived in Thailand 20 years. In my old age I like look BBC and a little gay porn without being blocked on most sites. I have Nord VPN now and currently using a server in Japan. When I look my Ip address on my pc it says Japan then a space and then my address location in Thailand. Do I need to worry about this?. My favorite gay sites are now not blocked so I know the Nord vpn works ok, also I just bought a new PC and the shop disconnected the pop ups for me. I don't do anything illegal just want peace of mind by bank details are safe. Thanks, hope you can help me. David
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi David, the IP address you made your comment on is based in Tokyo, Japan, so Nord is working just fine. Your location in Thailand was not revealed. I'm not sure what you were looking at on your computer but rest assured this IP does not reveal your location.
      Reply

      • JamesE says

        This is a two-part problem. First, the IP address is a network thing that is set by Nord. You have no control over that. Second, most new PCs - like most new phones - come with GPS. That's where your address location comes from. You can go into Settings and disable location services (look for the setting "Location Privacy"). That way apps you use won't be able to tell where they are and you've added a bit more privacy to your mix.
        Reply

  6. Captorx says

    Hi Peter,
    So would you advice from downloading music or movies when in Thailand also if using VPN? For example from Pirate Bay that you mentioned? I am currently using AirVPN based in Italy which is working fine. But they do not have servers in Thailand so maybe I need to change when I move there. Or not use any VPN at all when visiting normal sites (not torrent sites).
    I have tried Nord before but then I had problem to print when I was using it. Another I tried did not allow we to send and receive emails with my Outlook software. AirVPN is doing both that. Maybe I try out VyprVPN. Are they OK with printing or email when using their servers?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Your Airvpn might be fine, as they most likely have other local servers in neighboring countries.; you'd have to check. I often use US servers in Thailand anyway, and they are quick enough. It's just that sometimes for streaming movies and quicker download speeds it's useful to have a more local server, and also when booking hotels and stuff. I've never run into email or print issues with VYPR. I'm not sure why that would be. Sounds more like a router-VPN issue. I'm sure Nord have a fix for that if you ask them.
      Reply

      • JamesE says

        I've had some network print issues with VPN from time-to-time. I think some VPNs report themselves as being remote and the network printer wants you to be local. You can also try different protocols. I think Wireguard can be problematic. TTL's right, some websites work better if you're in Thailand but you can also use the VPN to see if things, like hotels and airfare, are cheaper in different places. Also, I've found that frequently it's faster to connect and download from a US server than through a Thai server. Thailand has a fast backbone but latency can be an issue (at least on the Vypr server).
        Reply

      • Captorx says

        Hi,
        Thanks for answering. I tried a lot with Nord to fix that but we failed. The other I tried was Express VPN I think. One of them had problem with printing and the other emails. OK but then I know about Vypr should be fine. I will look into that more when it is time to move. After Covid and when retire.
        What you think about movie and music downloading and sharing. Am I more at risk in Thailand then in Sweden? Maybe you can not answering on that one. But what is your general feeling? Is it No No No or more like same risk as in any western country?
        Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      P.S. Using any file sharing service that infringes intellectual property rights comes with a risk. If one was to engage in such activity one would assume it would be best to protect one's identity. :)
      Reply

  7. Michelle says

    Hello Peter,

    I am considering using Vyper here in Thailand to stream Netflix and to secure data when I am on an unsecured network. I just chatted with a Vyper agent and I feel they were not very straightforward, about streaming Netflix here in LOS. I take it I will need to use a US server when I stream US netflix. Which server seems to be the best and the least likely to be blocked by NF? Also, which server would I use in Thailand on an unsecured network? Would it be Thailand? I don't understand VPN use very well. Finally, I want to thank you for the help you gave me when I was trying to get into Thailand. I made it on an O-A visa and I am now in quarantine in Bangkok.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Michelle, I'm glad I was able to help you make it there. You'll definitely need Netflix to get you through quarantine! The reason they would be a bit cagey is probably because using a VPN to bypass the Netflix geo-restriction is against the Netflix terms of service. Of course everybody does it but VYPR would have to be careful about openly advising on this. You are correct. You would need to connect to one of the US servers.
      Reply

    • JamesE says

      When in Thailand I'll use the Seattle, San Francisco, or L.A. servers. The performance on the east coast/central servers always seems slower. The same server might not work all the time so you'll have to try server-hopping to refresh your IP address to one Netflix doesn't associate with a VPN. When you get a connection, download the content you want to watch as streaming doesn't do the best and you may not be able to connect again if you get disconnected. Enjoy quarantine!
      Reply

    • JamesE says

      Follow-up. If you've been with Vypr for a while you're not getting the best deal. My subscription renewed in June for US$80/yr. I contacted support and got the Holiday Special (US$60/3 yrs and an increase from 5 to 30 devices) and Vypr fully prorated my current subscription onto the new one. I ended up paying US$19 for three years of service. Can't. Be. Beat. Also, following my experiment with Surfshark, I have nothing good to say about them. Customer support promised that the Thailand server would be back up at least 6 times in the last two months. Most recently they promised it would be up by the end of the year. Still hasn't happened. On top of that, despite their dropping services that were in place when I started my subscription, they refuse to even partially refund my subscription fee. Avoid them.
      Reply

  9. Nick Hudson says

    Hello there,

    I want to buy a VPN for streaming and gaming. I have shortlisted these VPNs. What's your opinion about these:
    - Pure VPN 88% off on 10 devices for 5 years.
    - Nord VPN 68% off for 2 years.
    - Express VPN 49% off for 1 year only.

    TIA
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Good choice. I've never had a problem with the VYPR app. Always connects every time for me, and it's really easy to use. Often it is best just to tap on "fastest server" and it will automatically connect you to the best connection.
      Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          yes, you can leave on that normally unless you want to connect in a specific territory. There are many USA servers to choose from. If Macao is showing as fastest then that's currently fastest :). You can see in milliseconds how fast the servers are.
          Reply

    • JamesE says

      Just one heads-up. Vypr (and every other VPN I've used) may give you issues when you try to connect to a bank. I use Bank of America and sometimes I couldn't connect through the Seattle server but if I switch to Los Angeles it would work fine. I never had an issue with PayPal so that shouldn't cause any confusion. If you encounter a site that doesn't load or throws an error just switch servers. When I'm in Thailand I typically get best performance out of L.A. or San Francisco but as TTL says the US has a *lot* of choices.
      Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          Start a new session by closing your browser. Start your VPN first and then once connected open your browser. If this still happens, it is most likely because PayPal has stored cookies in your browser for your session and it is reading location based on that. In this is the case, clear your browsing history, or open a private browser window (go to file to select this). In Chrome this mode is called 'New Incognito Window'. In Safari it is called 'New Private Window'.
          Reply

                • TheThailandLife says

                  I don't know. Try it. I receive PayPal confirmations to my UK sim card when in Thailand, and to my Thai sim when in UK from Bangkok Bank. Why did you delete your other account? You can have two PayPal accounts, you just need a different email address to set up a new one.
                  Reply

                  • Noel says

                    Because I want to use my real email account and I don't see any point in having a Paypal account here. But I closed it so it's too late now.
                    Hopefully the important thing is my address , in which case I can use my sister's address.
                    Reply

                  • Noel says

                    Oh no, this is a nightmare. It won't allow any other international code, only the plus 1 for the U.S. .
                    Even if I had not closed the local one, wouldn't they still want an American phone number?
                    Now I don't know what the hell I can do. I don't understand.
                    Reply

                    • TheThailandLife says

                      If you are in contact with someone back home on messenger on your Thai phone, perhaps use their number and they can send you a code when you need to login. If not, just register another PP account in Thailand and use that for now. Then when you go back to the US you can set one up there before you return to Thailand.

                  • Noel says

                    Re{ " Then when you go back to the US you can set one up there before you return to Thailand." That doesn't even make sense.

                    The whole reason why I just bought the vpn yesterday and went through all this crap is because you people are saying I could avoid Paypal's fees by opening another account in the U.S. . But if They don't accept phone numbers from outside the U.S. then how can anyone outside the U. S. open an American account ?
                    Reply

                    • TheThailandLife says

                      It's been years since I set up a PayPal account so I don't know the exact steps. It used to be email verification, not phone verification. Anyway, can't you just put in your US number and then opt to verify by email and not phone? That might be an option. Or like I said , get someone back home to help you do it. I'll let James reply; hopefully he is still following this thread.But there was no need to delete your other account.If not, you'll have to just set up another PayPal account from where you are, and the next time you visit the US you can set one up there. And then when you return to Thailand make sure you bring your US sim in case you need to access a verification on your phone. Don't worry about the VPN; it's refundable if you want. And anyway it's a good thing to have to protect your online privacy when accessing your PayPal or bank accounts online.

                    • JamesE says

                      Noel, First - TTL's right. Closing your old account was premature. I understand you want to use a certain email address for the new account but it would have been better to switch to a secondary or tertiary email on your old account before closing it. That's water under the bridge, though. First thing I'd do is contact PayPal for your old account and see if that can be recovered. If not, as TTL suggests, open a new one just so you're covered. Second - We're all just giving advice based on our experience but things may have changed between when we did something 10 or 15 years ago and now. Third - it seems you have a somewhat different setup than most expats and did not keep a US phone number. Since you're using your sister's address perhaps you can borrow her phone number as well. At least to get it your account set up. I'm going to contact PayPal support and see if there's a way to use a foreign phone # when signing up for a new account. Also, If you want, ask TTL to give you my email address (Contact link at the bottom of the page) and send me yours. It might be easier to work through this by email. These messages are getting very skinny and harder to read.

  11. Phil Fletcher says

    This seems a bit like 'the dark net' to me; I've got Windows Defender on my PC at no cost to me, it's constantly scanning for viruses so it tells me. I'm also not that tech savvy and have no one on hand to help me out if I had a problem; and don't the Thai authorities disapprove of VPN's?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      VPNs are legitimately used to protect your identity and help you safely login to your bank account online, your Amazon account, or on any other site. They are particularly useful when traveling and using public WIFI connections in airports, shopping centers, hotels and even apartment blocks where multiple people are sharing a connection from one central router.
      Reply

    • JamesE says

      *Everybody* disapproves of VPNs - governments, service providers, social media, advertisers - because they block the ability to harvest some relevant data about you. VPNs are less of a security product - like Defender - than they are a privacy product. Very simply, they encrypt your traffic until it reaches the VPN server where it is assigned a new address so your actual location is only available to those who you want to give it to - it can't be deduced from your IP address. As far as support, the new ones like Vypr, Surfshark, etc. are pretty much set it and forget it. All of them that I've used have outstanding and fast online customer support. In the current data mining environment a VPN is an essential piece of software; plus you get the bonus of being able to look like you're somewhere other than where you are as needed.
      Reply

  13. TheThailandLife says

    Thanks for the insight. Surfshark have reached out to me a couple of times about their service but I just haven't the motivation to switch because VYPR and Nord have been so reliable. I've not experienced any issues connecting to sites and the security levels, as you note, are very high. I think there's a lot of options these days and the gap between good and bad has closed considerably.
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      Just an update on Surfshark. I've been using them for over three months and they work better for me than Vypr. BUT - they can't keep their Thai server up and running. It will go down for weeks at a time and the best their support reps can do is say is "It will be back up soon." So far - in three months - the Thai server has been down for at least 6 weeks. Avoid.
      Reply

  16. John Blake Jr. says

    I'm using Avast, offering a large variety of pretended residencies. The only problem is, that approx. 50% of Netflix content doesn't work when the VPN is active. All the rest of the internet, incl. so-called naughty stuff is unaffected. Generally, I'm satisfied and the costs don't break the bank.
    Reply

    • James E says

      I'm assuming you're going through a US server when trying to access Netflix? One thing to try is to switch servers. Many websites match IP addresses back to VPNs and then just assume you're trying to access geo-restricted content so block it. But they don't have all the IPs from all the servers so hopping around may help. (This works for me on Vypr).) I've also found that with some sites that give me problems logging on in the clear (no VPN active) and then immediately connecting the VPN also works. Not sure if that will work with Netflix but it's worth a try. Lastly, you could try other VPN services' free trials and see if you get better connection results with Netflix.
      Reply

  17. Robert W says

    Hello Peter I have just read through this info about VPN usage and was wondering if it is possible to add my girlfriends telephone to my list of devices?
    The billing address for the VPN would be the U.K. where I live and she lives in Khon Khan.
    I do not really see a reason for a problem but just thought I would ask.
    Thanks Robert W
    Reply

  18. Phil L says

    If I buy Vypr VPN, I take it having spent the for 2 year plan there won't be any further purchases necessary that we need to be aware of - like having to buy the Premium Plan to be able to use it with Windows or MAC operating systems (as most of us do)???
    Reply

    • James E says

      If you're watching on something with a GPS make sure you disable location services. Sometimes a VPN may not be enough. If your device is saying you're in Thailand but your VPN is saying you're in the US that discrepancy may cause issues. Also be aware that some servers (Thaipod101.com ironically) block known VPN IP addresses. So, if you get no response using one VPN server switch to another.
      Reply

        • James E says

          Yes, this is a known issue. But the blocking comes from outside their servers. I've also found that it can be only the initial contact. I'll disable the VPN if I can't get in, connect unprotected, and then resume using VYPR after I've logged it. That's the only 100% reliable way I've found. Oddly enough, one of the biggest problems I've had with this is to Microsoft's servers. Sometimes it seems they're just having a bad day...
          Reply

  20. TonyT says

    Peter, I am an expat from down under & continually get blocked from some very ordinary news items with the message that "You cannot access this item from your location" It happens often & is annoying. I guess a VPN would cure that. I also use a couple of Aussie bank accounts which I rely on & also TransferWise. Your advise is very compelling convincing me that I need to protect my internet traffic! Thank you for your article.
    Reply

  22. Zev says

    I currently am using ExpressVpn but my subscription services, HBO, Showtime, Prime & Starz are not working because of territorial restrictions. I spent hours chatting with ExpressVpn staff and they were very helpful but the problem has not been resolved. I've got a good internet connection and wondering which VPN you would recommend for viewing content from the USA? Thanks.
    Reply

    • James E says

      I use VYPR and it works fine for bypassing territorial content restrictions on subscription services. But any VPN should work if it can provide you with a "local" IP address in the country you want to stream from. I have noticed recently, however, that some websites are blocking access from known VPN IPs. So, for example, if I go through VYPR's server in Seattle a website may deny access but if I immediately switch to a different server, like Los Angeles, and hit refresh the website will load fine. Regardless of which VPN service you use you have to remember it's not plug and play, you'll have to play around with it to learn all the idiosyncrasies.
      Reply

  23. James E says

    A new reason to make sure you have a VPN active all the time... https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1767824/digital-economy-and-society-ministrys-wifi-demand-draws-flak There has already been one arrest made under the law for an FB post on Europe... The offending post - in edited form - ended up on Twitter so the original poster was arrested. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1767574/man-arrested-amid-royalmotorcade-controversy Be very careful.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      This is quite a development.Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said on Tuesday that coffee shops must keep the traffic data, known as a log file, for at least 90 days in line with Section 26 of the Computer Crime Act. The move is meant to allow authorities to track down those behind illicit acts or remarks on the internet.Interestingly, that guy was arrested over a hashtag and not charged with Les Majeste but under computer crime laws involving national security.
      Reply

  24. Patriko Gwapo says

    Hi Peter, I just send you the same message but in a wrong window. Thank you for your information about wills and inheritance matter. I already bookmark your page in my web browser one week ago (OPERA). Since one month I use PERSIPHON 3 VPN. What do you know about it? It is really protecting my connections? I use also free OPERA VPN, same question. You are right, it's not expensive but if we pay all the apps like AVAST CCleaner etc...how much it will cost? Thank you to answer, best regards, Patrick (french guy)
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Patriko, these free options are okay but you're limited to a small number of servers, and of course the speed is much slower. As far as I know with Persiphon you didn't used to be able to change your location, is that still the case?
      Reply

  26. Lou says

    Hi Peter,

    You have a great site and a nice way of writing.

    Talking VPN`s when I moved to Thailand in 2012 to be with my lovely Thai woman, I was concerned about internet security because I started to do a lot of work online at the time.

    I tried numerous VPN`s some free but most paying including IPVanish, HMA (Hide my Ass) Express, Strong, Vypr, and a couple of others I forgotten about, like you I had 2 on the go at once for a while when I was having trouble getting the BBC etc! till I found IC!

    I found out about Identity Cloaker by accident on youtube a couple of years ago when I was looking for a VPN that would get all the British tv channels and best security without all the bloody hassle of these companies I mentioned here not working properly or when the BBC or ITV and others started blocking their services to stop people getting the programs. I read there were hundreds of people complaining about their VPN services over the years.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl02NiuC3TU

    When you google VPN`s Identity Cloaker is nowhere to be seen you have to know about it.

    Military class encryption technique!

    All they can see is nothing but "gibberish". We use the extremely strong Rijndael AES-256 cypher to protect your transmitted data. This cypher is considered "military class" and is currently one of the best and strongest cyphers available in the world. Please note that the use of such a strong cypher may be unlawful in some countries.

    The Advanced Encryption Standard, also known by its original name Rijndael, is a specification for the encryption of electronic data established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2001.

    With all these Vpn`s I have used if the authorities want to check your isp for any reason, they Have to give them the details they require by law!

    But with Identity Cloaker that`s not the case, they operate out of the Czech republic!

    I have been using IC now over 2 years with great results especially with British TV which in my opinion is the best in the world.

    The thing I would like to mention is you need a very fast internet connection because using a VPN to watch TV, Video etc will slow down your speed considerably https://www.speedtest.net I use 50 MBTs and just tested the speed with Vpn on and got between 4.94 and 24.31mbts with encryption level off or strong which you can have off if you are only watching Video then back to strong or max with everything else.

    Don`t forget to unclick your ad blocker when testing if you use one!

    I lived In Bangkok for 5 years from 2012 till 2018 when I decided to come to Melbourne to live as I am dual nationality British/Australian, the reason the heat got to me, anyway I will be over there from 25 August till September 2 Bringing my Partner and her son back here to live now they have got their Australian Visa`s after a year of waiting and all the work I did online in the immi account!

    Regards,

    Lou

    PS I got a 404 on the Bangkok post article!
    PSS Don`t forget to turn off your location in Google also!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Lou, thanks for the overview.IC does have decent encryption but it's a bit dated now compared to newer services that have kept upgrading and expanding. They have a small amount of servers compared to others which means the service is more easily blocked by international media services, and there is limited infrastructure to rely on if a number of the servers are down. It's decent but price wise you can get a lot more for your money these days.Which Bangkok article was returning a 404? You mean in the newsletter? I checked all those links and I thought they were fine.Thanks for the heads up!
      Reply

  27. geoff sloman says

    Hi. I have three VPNs one being NORD.When not using a VPN my download speed (3BB fiber) is 92 mbps but when using a VPN its only 15 mbps so i dont use a VPN when downloading movies as it takes too long. Naughty i know. Also, when using a VPN to connect to ABC i view in Australia it blocks me and tells me not available as i am outside the country ??? Any views ? Also use PIA and free Private VPN.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I got this reply: NordVPN uses a hybrid model of server acquisition, where some servers are owned by us and other server equipment is rented. All servers are physical with a zero logs policy set-up. We do have specific requirements for network providers to ensure the highest service quality for our customers.
      Reply

  29. Wayne says

    Hi, great to find this review as I will be running my e-commerce business from Thailand soon. Also being from the UK I will want to watch English TV channels. I'm not sure how old this blog is, so is VYPR still the number 1 VPN you would recommend for Thailand in 2019?

    Thanks
    Reply

  30. Mary says

    I am wanting to move to Thailand soon but I work online. Should I be worried about Thailand’s online laws if I am using a VPN. Will they detect if I am streaming or doing other things? Will a VPN protect me from getting in trouble?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Generally I use my VPN as much as possible: for online banking, streaming football, etc. For me the legal side is a concern but not a huge one because I don't really visit naughty sites or get into online debates about sensitive subjects. Security is the biggest concern for me, particularly condo internet systems where everyone is sharing a central connection off the same router, and connections in public places like coffee shops. A VPN is inexpensive and totally worth having.
      Reply

  31. Colin Chepstow says

    I am a bit of a tech novice and surprisingly found VYPR very easy to use. I installed it on my desktop first and explore the settings on one side they mastered I installed it on my Android phone. I feel much better about checking my online bank accounts now. Best, Colin.
    Reply

  32. Andrew P says

    HI,I have just started to use a VPN similar I suppose to the VPN providers above but they cannot bypass the UK blockers at BBC iPlayer or Netflix UK. Have tried all the UK servers and they get blocked. Message from BBC says "You are using a VPN blocker or ..."So the UK are introducing restrictions.Do you know how to overcome these blockers?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Some VPN providers are unable to bypass the blocks, or occasionally the media companies find a way to detect the VPN and block it - only for the VPN company to tweak their infrastructure and bypass it again. One thing to consider is that nor all VPN companies own their own infrastructure. Many of them are using third-party infrastructure to run the service. So if one of the third parties they use is having a problem bypassing a service such as the BBC or Netflix, then they will be affected until the third parties able to solve the problem.this is why my top recommendation is VYPR. They own all their own infrastructure. For example, they are one of the few VPN providers that has repeatedly been able to overcome the China firewall system. Each time the Chinese implement a block, VYPR usually the quickest overcome it.Last night I watched the third episode of Better Call Saul on Netflix on my VPN, without an issue. I just tested BBC iPlayer no problem there either. I suggest you contact the provider and complain about this. If they can't fix the problem then switch providers.It may be the case that the platform you are using has different levels of security. For example, without getting too technical you may be able to switch between OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec. This may make a difference and solve the problem. I would contact them about this.
      Reply

  33. Simon says

    I recently signed up with HMA, and it seems to work well, however Netflix detects the VPN and blocks me streaming and the National lottery in the UK also detected I was on a VPN and blocked me buying a ticket. I have followed all the instructions on the HMA website and even contacted the online support but to no avail.
    Have you managed to use Netflix? I hadn't realised that the content visible changes with location, so some movies are not available in Thailand. I have connected to the recommended server in Long Island, cleared my cache, set my clock to NY time etc but it still detects the VPN.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Simon,I'm not currently using HMA but I still have it so I ran a test. It works.Try these steps:1. Clear cache and cookies from your browser. Delete browsing history. 2. Open a private browser tab (on Chrome it is called incognito) 3. If on mobile (tablet or smartphone) disable location services 4. Try using the Liberty Island servers, test both 1 and 2. 5. Try alternative servers. 6. If still no joy, click here to follow these steps to diagnose the issue. Select your operating system at the top of the page.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      It means that you can set the VPN to connect automatically when it detects that you have connected to an untrusted WIFI connection: so that could be in a cafe, airport or any public place. You can configure the places you trust by hovering over the ? sign and clicking on the configure link. Once this is set up, simply turn the button/switch on and it will connect automatically when it detects an unsecure connection that might be a potential security risk.
      Reply

    • James E says

      A VPN will protect emails but only until they come out of encryption at the VPN server you're using. Otherwise it depends on what email server you use. The big ones like outlook.com and gmail encrypt your emails from the source to their servers (using a VPN essentially double-encrypts them) but other servers may or may not by default. The best way to check is to look at your email setup in outlook and see if the parameters are using "SSL" to send and receive.

      Keep in mind that encryption is only sender to server. Google, et al will usually read your emails to expand your data graph and use the information to send you targeted advertising. If the recipient is not using an encrypted server then them downloading or reading your email will put it in the clear.
      Reply

      • James E says

        Using the router is convenient in terms of having an unlimited number of devices that can connect through it rather than the 2 or 5 or whatever number come with your VPN subscription. However, you will lose some flexibility when you need to appear as if you are someplace other than where you are. For example, my bank website prefers that I'm in North America so when in Thailand I connect to an NA server to do banking. But for day-to-day browsing, etc. I use the Thai server as it's local and the connection speed is a bit faster. The location spoofing can also help if you stream media content.

        That being said I'm not sure what would happen if you ran a VPN through a VPN on your router. I'm sure it would be slower but might still work.

        Lastly, VPN on a router is more complicated than on a PC or app. You have to manually set everything like server, protocol, and connection properties where on a PC or app it's just click and go.
        Reply

  40. Leslie Reilly says

    G'day mate, thanks for the great info. Signed up to Vypr and its up and running. I'm no tech head, but as long as it shows it's up and running, my search engines automatically get funneled through Vypr is that correct? Thanks again, Les.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The thing that puts me off them is that they are based in a the USA, or US-CI-A :). Orlando, FloridaTheir parent company is on the Caribbean island of Nevis. Though this still doesn't sit well with me considering its US relations. They keep billing records on file, but claim not to log any traffic data.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      PIA is not a bad service, though coverage is not as good as VYPR, and it's based in the US - which puts people off because of concerns over logging (though it claims to be logless). It doesn't have a server in Thailand, which I need. It has one in Japan and one in Singapore though. It's fairly priced
      Reply

  44. Icy says

    Hi I am not at all techy but wondering if you could help. I was given a fire stick in the UK which could give me access to all UK channels. It won't connect to our router. Do I need a VPN router or is there a way I can set it all up just with a VPN? If I need a VPN router any idea where I can get one? Thanks in advance.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      If it is a second generation Firestick running version 2.19 or more then you can install a VPN on it and connect to the UK. You can use VYPR VPN but I'd contact them about it because if you're not familiar with the process it might be a bit of a hassle.
      Reply

    • James says

      I also tried PureVPN. It's a bit less expensive and has the same number of connections but I ran into all sorts of instability issues so quit that and got on Vypr. From my experience the key things to look for are: Server locations - you want to be able to appear to be in the places you need to be, Stability - utmost importance - When Vypr runs into a problem it's lights out, warning up, and everything is safe. When I was using PureVPN it would crash but still appear that it was working regardless of the kill switch settings. And, who owns the servers. With the major companies, Vypr, Pure, etc, the people you give your money to also own and manage the servers your data runs through. With the free VPN services they are a network of dedicated volunteers providing the servers out of the goodness of their own hearts. Which is all well and good but with (2n+1) different operators and architectures and connections you won't get the same speed, stability, and security you're probably hoping for.
      Reply

  46. John Keast says

    Can both VPNs be configured into routers, so that when the router is turned-on, a vpn is automatically created for all devices connected to the router? I don't want to use a PC to login into the service. How is the default location determined in the vpns?

    Next, I have a yoka tv kb2 box running Kodi and other apps connected directly to an internet modem. Can it be auto-configured to automatically to connect to a correct country server, so that I get the content. For example hulu needs USA server but others need a UK server. Do have to manually use a PC to the select the server location?

    Have you tried unlocator from Thailand? Could you try it and let us know how it is?

    Have you tried IPvanish? does it work well in Thailand?
    Reply

  52. Paul says

    I read a review published in 2016 that suggested that vypr didn't work with BBC iPlayer or skyGo.. This would be a deal breaker for me. Do you have any experience accessing these services from Thailand over VPN?
    Thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Paul, I just tested my VYPR on BBC iPlayer with no issue. I have sent you an email with a screenshot. As for Sky Go, I don't use it, but it does work. They had an issue in late 2016 with Sky Go accounts in Italy and Switzerland I think it was. This was resolved. Occasionally these issues arise due to changes with the third party companies, but they tend to solve them very quickly.
      Reply

  56. Linda B says

    Love your blog/site, TTL!!!! Will be traveling to Thailand next July and am looking to retire there. I am now eagerly devouring all your valuable information here. Do you have any experience with Silent Circle and how would you compare it with your VPN recommendations?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Linda, from what I can see Silent Circle is not technically a VPN service. You can either buy their Blackphone with the software on it or run the software on your phone, as opposed to connecting to a VPN app as and when you need it. There's a number of upgrades available for business users too. It's certainly interesting though and I'm looking into it further.
      Reply

  57. Robert says

    I began using ExpressVPN as my first attempt at using VPN's, and noticed that my 3BB speed of 19mbps drops drastically. After I log in, which is very quick, my speed drops from 19 to a speed between 2 and 4mbps. I read your content above in the hopes to find a solution to my problem as I'm also in Thailand. I access servers in the USA to access my cable channels.

    When you use your VPN's, does this happen to you as well? I'm just curious...if it doesn't, then I'll definitely switch to the one's you recommended.

    Please let me know.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The drop off shouldn't be that drastic, but this is why it's important to have access to a lot of servers in different places, so that you can find the fastest one. I pretty much always use the fastest server available for minimal drop-off, unless I need to appear in a specific location for research purposes. VYPR has a really handy dashboard in that respect, which lets you choose the fastest server with one click. Great on mobile too through their app.
      Reply

    • Richard says

      I too started using ExpressVPN recently. I noticed a substantial drop in speed as well, but I suspect that many of the speed tests are not all that accurate as I sometimes get wildly different results from different tests at the same time.That said, I seem to get the best speeds by using servers in Singapore and Hong Kong for my regular surfing and only those in the US when I need to.
      Reply

  58. Daniel Morris says

    An American in Thailand says:
    VITAL INFORMATION.
    I thank you for passing this on.
    I was unaware of even the existence of VPNs...but am now a fervent convert and apostle of the importance of VPNs.
    Great and wonderful site!
    Reply

  59. Margo says

    Thanks for this great blog.
    I'm looking to install a VPN on my home wifi router so that all of our devices including internet TV, AppleTV etc can be connected.
    Are you able to point me to any guidelines on how to do this in Thailand, including whether I will likely need to buy a new router to replace the True device?
    Thanks in advance for your help.
    Reply

  60. Murph Ferguson says

    Great info,

    I would like to know how long 3BB keeps my browsing history. I'll start using a VPN tomorrow, so I'm good from now on. But how much previous browsing can the spooks sift through, using 3BB. Do they keep it for 1 year? 6 months? I hope with your contacts you can find this info out. I can't find it on the web.

    Thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      From what I know, those considered "a risk" or to be downloading illegal content may have been monitored since 2013 under the "snooping initiative. However, in 2015/2016 the internet companies are now required to keep efficient records on everyone. Over the last few months, the single gateway is being tested, particularly in Bangkok, which would explain many users experiencing strange connection behaviour such as certain websites taking ages to load and timing out, and in particular unreliable Facebook connectivity. Despite much opposition, it seems like this will be rolled out, though I don't know when. Even if it isn't, the record keeping is now much tighter due to international pressure.
      Reply

  62. Richard says

    I signed up for a month with HMA and installed the software on my Mac desktop, then spent the better part of the morning trying to log on to one of their servers. I finally contacted the help desk and they told me my brand-new router from CAT was not compatible with a VPN and that I would have to purchase a new router.

    I think your readers should be aware of this before going ahead with a VPN provider.

    I would also like to mention that one of the reasons I selected HMA is because of the good-looking interface you showed. Their dashboard really looks impressive. Well...on my Mac there is no such thing! Only a little window to turn on or off the VPN and select from a long list of countries. Not very helpful!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hey Richard, I've never experienced a problem with a router and I've used HMA all over Thailand on all kinds of connections. Router's are pretty inexpensive so shouldn't be a massive deal. Perhaps CAT are supplying a router with a block on VPNs as part of this initiative with the single gateway to track everyone's activity -- even more reason to get a new router in my opinion. This might actually have done you a favour long term.In terms of the dashboard, I use MAC too. It's the same dashboard on every MAC. Feel free to drop me an email with a screenshot of what you are seeing. info at thethailandlife.com. Cheers!
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Richard, this is one of the key differences in the better providers who continually work to optimize speeds, but also note that some VPN services just don't work well inside Thailand, which is why I've tested a fair few over the years. The difference on VYPR and HMA in speed to a standard connection is minimal. It might take longer to load on certain sites, but generally I don't even notice it is on. Of course, when on mobile there are certain areas in Thailand where connectivity is poor, and having the VPN on exacerbates this.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Yes, with a VPN, you boot it before you start browsing. Once connected, you are secure. If you tether from the connection that i encrypted by the VPN, the tethered device will also be secure because it is using that connection.
      Reply

  66. Paul says

    Hi I have been retired in Thailand now for 4 years and are using 3bb,have been having issues with paypal in north America ,they are saying that it is against there policy to be making purchases while being in thailand,after being a customer for 11 years,funny I have made over 300 transactions with ebay and they are now catching on,they have looked up my ip address,I am really considering getting hma,I am just uncertain and don't want to break any thai laws using this download,is this 100% within thai laws?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Sid, it's just a portable router. They can be handy if you are travelling in a group because you can connect to an Internet source and make it a WiFi hotspot, which allows multiple devices to connect at once. That said, if you have an unlimited 4G package, multiple devices could tether off that connection.
      Reply

  69. tom says

    Hi Keith,I'm glad I ran across your article - very informative. I'm relatively knew to Thailand (moved here 7 months ago) and am looking for security as well as a virtual phone for folks back in the USA to reach me through.There are a few differences between HMA & VyprVPN that I ran discovered while purchasing:1. VyprVPN allows more simultaneous connections - as long as everyone is in the same geographical location (the Terms of Service state otherwise). This means that when I travel outside Thailand, my wife and I can not enjoy VPN protection at the same time.HMA will allow 2 simultaneous connections regardless of where you are.2. VyprVPN 12 months, one shot payment is $120 USD, HMA is (as of tonight) is $78.66 USD. Interesting though, the link in this article brought me to a more expensive page. A search on HMA Pro took me to the 5.99 price.Hopefully, this information will be of use to those who travel outside the country. I went with HMA!Pro for that reason.Thanks again for the great information.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Tom, Glad the post could help. Just a couple of corrections to your comments:1. My friend was logged into my Vypr VPN account in China yesterday and talking to me on my Vypr connection in Thailand. He shares my login while on holiday there due to the great firewall they have.2. The current lowest HMA deal is not $5.99, it's $6.55 ( $78.66 for 12 months). I have just confirmed this with their support. The $5.99 deal was at Christmas.
      Reply

    • Tron78 says

      Google voice works well for a free phone service. I still have my account from when I lived in the states and I can now receive phone calls through hangouts on my cell phone. Free calls to an US or Canadian number and it works well enough for all my teleconference calls :)For VPN, I use AirVPN. They permit 3 connections from anywhere in the world. My daughter in TX uses one of my 3 connections and I use the other 2 here in Thailand. Loads of servers all around the world so you can appear anywhere you like.
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        AirVPN is not a bad shout, but I think the dashboard is a tad old school and somewhat techie for many of my readers; compared to Vypr's it looks ancient. I also found the connection inconsistent in Thailand. Good call on Google Voice (no pun intended!)
        Reply

  70. Ken says

    Great article! I have never really felt the need to bother with a VPN in the past here in the States, and only vaguely considered it in Thailand, but after reading this I will definitely be using one when back in Thailand. And I don’t even plan on doing anything online that would raise any red flags anywhere but the possible consequences of making an honest mistake just seem to severe to risk right now.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I think VPNs are fast becoming the norm in many countries anyway, simply because people value their privacy. Moreover, VPNs provide an extra layer of security when online in cafes and public areas. For example, I visited a cafe in a mall the other day. I asked for the WIFI password and was told there wasn't one. It was an open connection. It really wouldn't take much for the right person with the right know-how to exploit this opportunity.
      Reply

  71. sidney leonard says

    I am test-driving vyprVPN and so far find it easy to use and the customer support acceptable. Thank you for your input re: same. I am definitely not tech-savvy, so I will have questions to ask of you as I use it, if you please.

    Another topic on which I need help follows.

    My wife and I will soon be moving permanently to Thailand (Hua Hin) and will be taking unlocked dual sim smart phones with us. We will be purchasing dtac or some other company sim cards here in the US and activate our phones when we arrive in Thailand. We would like to use our phones as a wifi hotspot and to tether w/computer and tablet and need to know what sim cards to purchase in order to do. Please advise. - Also do you have an opinion as to the best ISP for Hua Hin?

    Thank you so much for your time and expertise,
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Sid, glad to hear you have your VPN working now.

      I use a DTAC sim card and generally have found it very good. I tether from my phone for internet and this often turns out faster than my home internet! If you have a DTAC sim you can also use DTAC WIFI when out and about, depending on your plan.

      In terms of ISP. I use my condo WIFI which I pay the office for monthly. I think it's 3BB. It's not bad but not great, but then they may have a cheap package. I am planning a post that covers all the ISPs soon so I will keep you posted.
      Reply

  72. Brian says

    I have been a happy user of ExpressVPN for some time, but recently it has stopped working. I can connect to a server outside Thailand, but I can not access the Internet after the connection has been established.. Some time back I changed ISP to AIS - do you know if AIS have blocked usage of VPN?
    If I connect through my 4G connection (True) there's no problems
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      This sounds like it could be a local server issue. Do you have WIFI installed in your home/condo or are you using shared WIFI in a condo? Does it work again when you restart your computer? I can't say for sure about AIS.
      Reply

  73. sidney leonard says

    TheThailandLife/Peter (I'm not sure who I should address my inqueries to.

    First, thank you for your very prompt reply. I'm liking this blog a lot.

    Before I subscribe to a VPN, I want to be as knowledgeable about VPN options is as possible for this novice. So, a few more questions, if you don't mind.

    1.) You said that you have more than one VPN installed on you computer at the same time, so I assume I could do the same. Would it be a good idea to install a Free VPN (please recommend one) and one for pay to see if the former would suffice for my computer use? 2.) You said that either HMA and Golden Frog (VyprVPN) are your favorites for use in Thailand; are they equally easy to install and uninstall and to unsubscribe to, and can they both be installed using Windows 10 VPN settings window? Please bear in mind that I am a not particularly tech-savvy senior citizen. 3.) Does GoldenFrog (VyprVPN) work as well as HMA on US servers?

    I'm sure that is enough questions for now. Later I will picking your tech-savvy brain on other matters of concern as my wife and I prepare for our move to Thailan - I greatly appreciate having you and your blog as a resource for my technical education; as a former school principal, it is my goal to be a little more tech-savvy each day; I thank you for your assistance in this endeavor. Sid Leonard
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Sidney,

      1. I use 2 VPNs because my work is based online and I travel around a lot. Having two ensures that wherever I am I can get the fastest VPN connection I can. I also do some consultancy work where I will connect multiple devices (more than 6) on a network to VPNs and therefore I will split this between the two.

      2. Both are easy to use and designed for non-tech-savvy users. The interfaces are intuitive. You can cancel at any time on a month-by-month plan, but the best deals are usually when you buy a 6-month or yearly package.

      As a standard web user, one VPN will be adequate for you. You can trial both for free. Vypr does a 3-day free trial.

      I don't know what the Windows 10 VPN setting is, but I think you can probably bypass it, or just switch it to on, if necessary. As mentioned in my post, when you get one of these services, you simply download the software (desktop) or the app (on mobile), choose the location you want to appear in and connect. I've added some extra screenshots today which will give you an overview of what the dashboard of each VPN looks like.

      3. As of today, Vypr is working well for me all around the world, including USA, as is HMA. I actually found that on my mobile phone (4G connection) both are giving me faster speeds than my home Internet connection. This is not unusual in Thailand though because often ISP speeds are weaker than mobile.

      I hope this helps, and glad to be of assistance.
      Reply

  74. sidney leonard says

    สวัสดีครับPeter,

    First, I should state that I am a not particularly tech-savvy computer novice, so please bear that in mind when you respond to my inquires. - My Thai wife of 23 years and I will be moving to Hua Hin within a year or so, and I am doing my due diligence in preparation for our move. I have bookmarked a number of blogs and just discovered yours which seems to have certain information I have not found on any of the others; also, you strike me as being a very knowledgeable, plain-talker. I like your style and would like to avail myself of your Thai expertise in a number of areas, the first of which is my concern about secure use of my computer while in Thailand, particularly my online banking (bill paying, transferring funds from US to our Thailand bank account, etc.). I have read all you have written here about VPN and have a couple of questions: 1. Can I install HMA on my Windows 10 OS using the built-in format in settings, or must I download the app from the HMA website? 2. Are you familiar with GoldenFrom VPN, and, if so, what is your opinion of same? 3. Is there a FREE VPN that you consider good enough for home use? 4. Can I install a VPN here in the US (CA) and use both here and in Hua Hin? - Thank you or any assistance you can give me in this matter. Sid Leonard
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Sid,

      Welcome to TTL.

      HMA provide a lightweight piece of software (program) that you download to your computer, and an app that you install on any mobile devices you have. When you want to connect to the VPN, you simply boot up the program or app, choose the location you want to appear (hide) in and click connect.

      Your message is very timely because this morning I have updated the post to include Goldenfrog (which is VyprVPN). I have been trialling the service for the last 3 months because they have great server coverage and offer some advanced privacy features. It's as good as HMA and I am using both going forward. I previously recommended Cyberghost for basic users but the service has become somewhat unreliable in the last 6 months, which is why I trialled alternatives.

      Lastly, yes, you can use the VPN wherever you are based. However, bear in mind that some VPNs just don't work that well (poor connectivity) in certain countries because they have limited coverage. Both of these work a treat inside Thailand, and will do so from the US too, where they have multiple servers in different states.

      All the best with your move to a Hua Hin. I have been there a number of times. It's a delightful town.
      Reply

  75. Jay says

    Great write up. i'm in the market of getting a VPN shortly. I've been using VyprVPN on their free plan for the last few weeks.

    I also tried Ghost after reading your review - although only on the free plan, it was horrid compared to VyprVPN on thier free plan.

    Have you tested VyprVPN? I'm curious to see the difference between VyprVPN and HMA.
    Reply

  76. Buck says

    I have been in Thailand for a few weeks now and am using ExpressVPN which seems to working ok. However, I just had a client contact me and there admin website was hacked and the password changed to Swaneeboomrxy123 so it's pretty easy to guess where the hack originated from. Are they using some type of key logger or something?
    I may or may not have had my VPN running (there were a couple times I turned it off when sending/receiving Outlook Mail). Are there any other security holes I should plug other than using a VPN? Thanks.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I can't see why they would hack your client's site. The gov will be monitoring use but not hacking in. It was most likely a coincidence and a hacker made easy work of a plugin security flaw in Wordpress, or was successful in a brute force attack because of a weak username and PW combination. There are a lot of hackers operating out of Thailand, so that could be the reason for the name used. Be careful when using open WIFI networks here, like those in many cafes. There are guys who hack the local router and then sit in the cafe all day accessing each person's computer that logs on. Run a test on your computer for a keylogger just in case.
      Reply

  77. Chris says

    Hi, I use Outlook to manage my mail on my computer and Expressdata services for my email address. I use a VPN but am now finding that I can't send emails out through Outlook though I receive them fine. When I called Expressdata to ask for help they said the problem lies with my ip address and that I should contact my ISP provider to sort the problem. The problem also occurs when my VPN is turned off. I'm not sure that if by contacting the ISP they can find out that I'm using a VPN and if so, whether they may have objections to that.
    Reply

  79. Jon says

    I use ProXPN, which offers a limited free service for trail, I pay about $10 a year and get about 30 locations (they just expanded it quite a bit) but lately found that all of them run really slowly and I'm wondering if this is because an ISP can notice when you are surfing anonymously and therefore throttle the bandwidth, I eventually managed to access the page I was looking for, it was a page that the govt definitely don't want me to see, and when I tried accessing other normal news sites it was slow and when I typed in dailymail.co.uk which is banned was surprisingly was taken to the ICT 'blocked' page even when using a VPN, what's that all about? So, to be sure, when using a VPN app to dial in, the ISP absolutely can't see the url I was accessing, right?
    Reply

  80. Matthew says

    I am looking at moving to TH and I need to work online via VPN and remote desktop back to the US. Once the VPN is fired up, how is your connectivity back to the states?
    In the EU the infrastructure is pretty solid in most places but I have heard to many horror stories about the quality of service in TH...

    BTW, thanks for the post :)
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The majority of connections are slower than I experience back home, but still fast enough and some as good. I go to a few co-working spaces where the internet is super fast and download speeds second to none. Sure, occasionally you get a cafe or hotel connection that is terrible, but it's just a case of getting the best you can for home and knowing the places close by that have the best connections when you want to venture out. It's worth bearing in mind that upcountry is bound to be worse than the big cities.When I hit a cafe or hotel with a bad connection I just teather on my DTAC 4g and it's good enough to work with.In terms of using a VPN in Thailand, Hide My Ass works a fine on the US servers they provide. I'm based in Bangkok and I use it regularly here.
      Reply

  81. Sandra Piers says

    I’ve been using Ivacy VPN for a while for torrenting. Except for a few glitches which the support guys fixed straight away, the service works fine. Previously they were offering volume-based packages, now they are offering monthly, semi-annually and annual subscriptions which is a I think an improvement. Does HMA have P2P optimized servers in Switzerland?
    Reply

  82. Nat says

    Hi Keith,

    May we also suggest to your readers the benefits of installing VPN on the WiFi router?

    1. Connect many WiFi devices to VPN using a single account
    2. All devices are secured all the time
    3. Convenience
    4. Stability
    5. Any WiFi device can connect even those that can't normally install VPN (eg., AppleTV, Roku, SmartTV, security camera, etc.)

    You readers can search tutorials on how to do this by upgrading router firmware to DD-WRT or Tomato and integrating the VPN on the router (note risk to "bricking" router). Or try http://www.freedomrouters.com for plug and play routers. We support CyberGhost as well.

    Thank you,
    Nat
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Keith,They are quite different. A proxy is browser based and is only as secure as the server providing the proxy. HTTP traffic is not encrypted, so government surveillance systems and your ISP can still see what you are doing. If connected through HTTPS (SSL) then traffic cannot be monitored, but the IP of the HTTPs website can still be logged.A VPN encrypts all of your traffic, replacing your ISP and routing ALL traffic through the VPN server, including all programs and applications. It also used the benefits of the VPN server such as Speed, Geopgraphic Location and Security.
      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

 

Send this to a friend