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.

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.

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.
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:
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.
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):
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.
+ 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.
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.
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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Excellent Coverage: Both work very well in Thailand and SE Asia due to the volume of available servers.
- Mobile & Desktop: You can connect on your laptop, tablet, phone, router, etc.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Performance: Some just didn't work well for me in Thailand. One free service was in fact blocked by True internet.
- 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.
Last Updated on
Joe C. says
Sep 13, 2021 at 4:49 am
TheThailandLife says
Sep 13, 2021 at 4:53 am
Joe C. says
Sep 13, 2021 at 6:10 am
JamesE says
Sep 14, 2021 at 12:31 am
Michael DiPasquale says
Aug 06, 2021 at 11:03 am
TheThailandLife says
Aug 06, 2021 at 6:39 pm
MLeaf says
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....
Jul 13, 2021 at 5:49 am
TheThailandLife says
Jul 13, 2021 at 3:53 pm
John says
Jul 13, 2021 at 4:13 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 13, 2021 at 4:17 pm
JamesE says
Jul 13, 2021 at 9:50 pm
John says
Jun 30, 2021 at 4:49 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 30, 2021 at 5:24 pm
John says
Jun 30, 2021 at 6:36 pm
Phil Lowney says
Jun 30, 2021 at 8:30 pm
david mills says
Apr 06, 2021 at 11:49 pm
TheThailandLife says
Apr 07, 2021 at 12:13 am
JamesE says
Apr 07, 2021 at 12:36 am
Captorx says
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?
Mar 24, 2021 at 12:58 am
TheThailandLife says
Mar 24, 2021 at 1:06 am
JamesE says
Mar 24, 2021 at 1:30 am
Captorx says
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?
Mar 25, 2021 at 12:55 am
TheThailandLife says
Mar 25, 2021 at 2:10 am
Captorx says
Apr 06, 2021 at 9:41 pm
TheThailandLife says
Mar 24, 2021 at 1:22 am
Michelle says
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.
Mar 11, 2021 at 9:32 pm
TheThailandLife says
Mar 11, 2021 at 11:41 pm
JamesE says
Mar 12, 2021 at 12:20 am
JamesE says
Dec 25, 2020 at 12:44 am
JamesE says
Dec 31, 2020 at 5:14 am
Noel says
Isn't the holiday special $ 60 for 3 years?
Jan 01, 2021 at 5:24 pm
JamesE says
Jan 02, 2021 at 1:17 am
Noel says
But I think you mean it's $19 per year.
Jan 02, 2021 at 2:28 am
JamesE says
Jan 02, 2021 at 2:43 am
Noel says
Jan 02, 2021 at 3:10 am
JamesE says
Jan 02, 2021 at 5:54 am
TheThailandLife says
Jan 02, 2021 at 6:03 am
Noel says
Jan 02, 2021 at 7:16 am
Nick Hudson says
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
Dec 21, 2020 at 10:32 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 21, 2020 at 11:17 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 22, 2020 at 12:48 am
Noel says
I just now downloaded the app and I see a lot of complaints in the reviews.
I hope it's ok though.
Dec 17, 2020 at 11:47 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 18, 2020 at 1:25 am
Noel says
And why does the fastest server show Macao ?
Dec 18, 2020 at 1:33 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 18, 2020 at 1:40 am
JamesE says
Dec 18, 2020 at 1:49 am
Noel says
Thanks
Dec 18, 2020 at 4:23 am
Noel says
I just now closed my local Paypal account and then I switched the VPN to San Francisco and now I want to open a new account with Paypal.
But it keeps showing Paypal Thailand. " https://www.paypal.com/th/home " We look forward to welcoming new customers in Thailand next year."
How can I get to Paypal USA ?
Dec 19, 2020 at 1:28 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 19, 2020 at 1:38 am
noel says
Dec 19, 2020 at 2:04 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 19, 2020 at 2:43 am
Noel says
) are in Thailand, doesn't that mean that they will open a Thai Paypal account for me since they can see that I'm in Thailand ?
Dec 19, 2020 at 2:52 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 19, 2020 at 3:00 am
Noel says
Hopefully the important thing is my address , in which case I can use my sister's address.
Dec 19, 2020 at 3:20 am
Noel says
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.
Dec 19, 2020 at 3:30 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 19, 2020 at 3:51 am
Noel says
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 ?
Dec 19, 2020 at 4:14 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 19, 2020 at 6:37 am
JamesE says
Dec 19, 2020 at 7:26 am
Phil Fletcher says
Dec 16, 2020 at 12:02 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 16, 2020 at 9:51 pm
JamesE says
Dec 17, 2020 at 11:24 pm
Noel Frankbank says
Or else, which one is the cheapest one that is reliable ?
Dec 07, 2020 at 3:47 am
TheThailandLife says
Sep 16, 2020 at 5:53 pm
JamesE says
Dec 22, 2020 at 4:25 am
Roy W says
Aug 28, 2020 at 12:12 pm
TheThailandLife says
Aug 28, 2020 at 6:12 pm
Tony says
Jul 01, 2020 at 6:12 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 01, 2020 at 6:18 pm
Noel says
So please thank him for his help and please give him my email address.
Dec 19, 2020 at 4:58 pm
John Blake Jr. says
May 11, 2020 at 7:51 am
James E says
May 11, 2020 at 9:57 pm
Robert W says
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
Feb 27, 2020 at 5:47 am
TheThailandLife says
Feb 27, 2020 at 5:49 pm
James E says
Feb 27, 2020 at 11:08 pm
Phil L says
Feb 24, 2020 at 2:36 am
TheThailandLife says
Feb 24, 2020 at 3:16 am
Embracing Nirvana says
Feb 21, 2020 at 2:52 am
TheThailandLife says
Feb 21, 2020 at 3:04 am
James E says
Feb 21, 2020 at 4:08 am
TheThailandLife says
Feb 21, 2020 at 4:29 am
James E says
Feb 21, 2020 at 6:27 am
TonyT says
Jan 14, 2020 at 8:00 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jan 14, 2020 at 8:03 pm
Bryan S says
Jan 08, 2020 at 8:19 am
TheThailandLife says
Jan 08, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Zev says
Nov 17, 2019 at 10:34 am
TheThailandLife says
Nov 17, 2019 at 6:39 pm
James E says
Nov 17, 2019 at 10:33 pm
James E says
Oct 09, 2019 at 8:24 am
TheThailandLife says
Oct 09, 2019 at 5:38 pm
James E says
Oct 09, 2019 at 5:47 pm
TheThailandLife says
Oct 09, 2019 at 5:59 pm
Patriko Gwapo says
Aug 15, 2019 at 3:39 pm
TheThailandLife says
Aug 18, 2019 at 3:28 am
Tom says
Jul 26, 2019 at 10:17 am
TheThailandLife says
Jul 26, 2019 at 9:24 pm
Lou says
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!
Jul 26, 2019 at 10:17 am
TheThailandLife says
Jul 26, 2019 at 9:41 pm
geoff sloman says
Jul 26, 2019 at 10:13 am
TheThailandLife says
Jul 26, 2019 at 9:28 pm
James E says
Jul 26, 2019 at 10:40 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 26, 2019 at 11:04 pm
James E says
Jul 20, 2019 at 4:29 am
TheThailandLife says
Jul 21, 2019 at 3:05 am
TheThailandLife says
Jul 22, 2019 at 7:05 pm
Wayne says
Thanks
Feb 16, 2019 at 7:58 pm
TheThailandLife says
Feb 16, 2019 at 8:26 pm
Mary says
Jan 17, 2019 at 7:35 am
TheThailandLife says
Jan 17, 2019 at 6:33 pm
Colin Chepstow says
Sep 05, 2018 at 11:11 pm
Andrew P says
Aug 22, 2018 at 3:22 pm
TheThailandLife says
Aug 22, 2018 at 4:13 pm
Simon says
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.
Aug 22, 2018 at 11:58 am
TheThailandLife says
Aug 22, 2018 at 4:22 pm
Daveyboy says
Aug 13, 2018 at 6:08 pm
TheThailandLife says
Aug 13, 2018 at 6:16 pm
gego says
Thanks for this report. will use vpn soon too. What can be used for safe email sending, as I use outlook. Is a software existing that protect my emails too but still using outlook?
Thank you.
Gego
Aug 01, 2018 at 4:47 pm
James E says
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.
Aug 02, 2018 at 9:36 pm
Gego says
Aug 22, 2018 at 5:52 pm
John says
Jul 20, 2018 at 1:27 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 20, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Dexter says
Jul 12, 2018 at 3:10 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 12, 2018 at 5:48 pm
James E says
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.
Jul 12, 2018 at 10:02 pm
magented says
Jul 09, 2018 at 4:59 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 09, 2018 at 5:56 pm
James Song says
You are great!
Jul 06, 2018 at 5:30 pm
Leslie Reilly says
Jun 16, 2018 at 4:00 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 16, 2018 at 4:10 pm
James E says
Jun 16, 2018 at 10:21 pm
Grasshopper says
Apr 26, 2018 at 3:43 pm
TheThailandLife says
Apr 26, 2018 at 4:29 pm
george says
Any ideas about PIA VPN for Thailand?
Feb 22, 2018 at 5:15 pm
TheThailandLife says
Feb 22, 2018 at 6:35 pm
Dave McPhee says
Cheers,
Dave
Dec 01, 2017 at 12:22 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 01, 2017 at 5:01 am
Icy says
Oct 20, 2017 at 11:11 pm
TheThailandLife says
Oct 21, 2017 at 3:44 am
Stuart says
Does anyone have good or bad feedback on Express VPN ?
Aug 18, 2017 at 12:02 pm
TheThailandLife says
Aug 18, 2017 at 11:08 pm
James says
Aug 19, 2017 at 12:12 am
John Keast says
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?
Jul 09, 2017 at 3:34 am
TheThailandLife says
Jul 09, 2017 at 11:57 pm
Dave says
Jun 26, 2017 at 9:52 am
TheThailandLife says
Jun 26, 2017 at 6:01 pm
Jackem says
Jun 16, 2017 at 7:52 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 16, 2017 at 8:46 pm
John says
Jun 25, 2017 at 10:16 am
TheThailandLife says
Jun 25, 2017 at 6:54 pm
Mike Cox says
Is it ok for Thailand
Jun 08, 2017 at 11:25 am
Steve Mepham says
Jun 25, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Robert Heatley says
Jun 04, 2017 at 2:11 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 05, 2017 at 4:33 pm
mike cox says
May 23, 2017 at 9:07 pm
TheThailandLife says
May 23, 2017 at 9:31 pm
Paul says
Thanks
Apr 10, 2017 at 12:09 am
TheThailandLife says
Apr 10, 2017 at 3:52 pm
James E says
Mar 13, 2017 at 7:26 am
TheThailandLife says
Mar 17, 2017 at 5:47 pm
gilador says
Feb 17, 2017 at 5:33 am
TheThailandLife says
Feb 17, 2017 at 5:49 am
Tony says
Jan 11, 2017 at 4:59 am
TheThailandLife says
Jan 11, 2017 at 5:57 am
Tony says
Jan 11, 2017 at 6:38 am
Linda B says
Dec 17, 2016 at 12:01 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 17, 2016 at 4:14 am
Robert says
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.
Sep 16, 2016 at 6:04 pm
TheThailandLife says
Sep 16, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Richard says
Sep 17, 2016 at 5:29 am
Daniel Morris 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!
Sep 14, 2016 at 8:54 pm
TheThailandLife says
Sep 15, 2016 at 11:49 am
Margo says
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.
Aug 30, 2016 at 9:40 am
TheThailandLife says
Aug 30, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Murph Ferguson says
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
Aug 24, 2016 at 12:19 am
TheThailandLife says
Aug 24, 2016 at 2:19 am
Matt says
Aug 12, 2016 at 1:36 pm
TheThailandLife says
Aug 13, 2016 at 2:50 am
Richard says
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!
Aug 06, 2016 at 12:31 pm
TheThailandLife says
Aug 07, 2016 at 1:34 am
Richard says
Jul 29, 2016 at 8:26 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 29, 2016 at 8:32 pm
Richard says
Jul 29, 2016 at 8:41 pm
Ted says
Jul 18, 2016 at 10:49 am
TheThailandLife says
Jul 18, 2016 at 12:55 pm
Tish says
Thanks
Jun 26, 2016 at 2:17 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 26, 2016 at 10:38 pm
Paul says
Jun 12, 2016 at 9:13 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 12, 2016 at 10:20 pm
paul says
Jun 13, 2016 at 8:53 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 13, 2016 at 10:53 pm
sidney leonard says
Sid Leonard
Jun 02, 2016 at 6:40 am
TheThailandLife says
Jun 02, 2016 at 5:32 pm
carlos sims says
Jun 01, 2016 at 5:51 am
TheThailandLife says
Jun 01, 2016 at 10:01 pm
carlos sims says
Will i still need VPN's if i'm using pocket wifi where i'll have my own password?
Jun 02, 2016 at 6:20 am
TheThailandLife says
Jun 02, 2016 at 5:26 pm
carlos sims says
Thanks & take care.
Jun 03, 2016 at 12:46 am
tom says
May 07, 2016 at 9:12 pm
TheThailandLife says
May 08, 2016 at 7:59 pm
Tron78 says
May 08, 2016 at 8:00 pm
TheThailandLife says
May 08, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Ken says
Apr 18, 2016 at 11:59 am
TheThailandLife says
Apr 18, 2016 at 9:49 pm
sidney leonard says
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,
Apr 08, 2016 at 4:01 am
TheThailandLife says
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.
Apr 08, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Brian says
If I connect through my 4G connection (True) there's no problems
Apr 02, 2016 at 8:58 pm
TheThailandLife says
Apr 03, 2016 at 10:41 pm
sidney leonard says
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
Mar 30, 2016 at 3:04 am
TheThailandLife says
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.
Mar 30, 2016 at 12:23 pm
sidney leonard says
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
Mar 29, 2016 at 6:21 am
TheThailandLife says
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.
Mar 29, 2016 at 11:23 am
Jay says
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.
Feb 11, 2016 at 12:10 am
TheThailandLife says
Feb 12, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Buck says
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.
Feb 05, 2016 at 8:42 am
TheThailandLife says
Feb 05, 2016 at 10:18 am
Chris says
Dec 05, 2015 at 7:34 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 06, 2015 at 9:38 pm
Lobey Dosser says
Nov 12, 2015 at 11:46 pm
TheThailandLife says
Nov 12, 2015 at 11:50 pm
Jon says
Nov 08, 2015 at 8:56 am
TheThailandLife says
Nov 08, 2015 at 5:24 pm
Matthew says
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 :)
Oct 24, 2015 at 5:03 am
TheThailandLife says
Oct 24, 2015 at 9:25 am
Sandra Piers says
Oct 09, 2015 at 7:34 pm
TheThailandLife says
Oct 09, 2015 at 9:49 pm
Nat says
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
Aug 17, 2014 at 10:51 am
Keith says
Jul 20, 2013 at 10:55 am
TheThailandLife says
Jul 20, 2013 at 11:14 am