If you are going to be staying in Thailand for any length of time, a Skype account is a must. With Skype, you can communicate, over the Internet, with another Skype user for free. This is free Internet telephone, and the quality is much better than using a landline or cellular service. Not to mention you can’t beat the price of calling long distance - FREE!

You do need a headset or Skype Phone to use this service. Both can be purchased from Skype or most any computer store - including stores in Bangkok.

I use a Plantronics Gamecom Pro1 headset. This is a top of the line set that you can get for around 80 bucks in a store, or less on-line. The downside to a headset is you are tethered to your computer. With a cordless phone you don’t have to be at your computer to make or receive calls.

I know several people that use the Linksys cordless Skype phone. I don’t know what model(s) they are using, but all have reported problems. However, Linksys is touted as being the best.

If you need to communicate with someone that does not have a broadband Internet connection, Skype offers their SkypOut service. This allows you to call a local number, anywhere in the world. They do charge for this service, but the rates are dirt cheap. You can even get a one year, unlimited minutes, package for US and Canada - 14.95.

Skype also offers their SkypeIn service. With SkypeIn, you can get your own regular phone number. So if your friends, who aren’t using Skype, want to call you by dialing a regular number, you can still receive the call in Skype. No matter where you are.

You can get numbers from a variety of area codes in the following countries - United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland. This way, the most it will cost someone to call you is the long distance charges to the area code of the number you selected.

SkypeIn costs $38.00 a year, and comes bundled with voice mail. This is an inexpensive way to give family members a number they can call. At the very least, they can leave a voice mail notifying you to get in touch. I got this service and set it up with a number in my Mom’s area code. This gives her an easy way to get in contact with me, and she has used it several times.

If you do not plan on getting your own Internet connection, while in Thailand, you can still use Skype. For $7.95 a month, you can tap in to Skype from twenty WiFi hot spots in Bangkok, and one in Chiang Mai.

If you don’t have a computer, you can still access a WiFi connection using the Skype WiFi Phone.

I can’t imagine what I would do without Skype. It makes managing my affairs, and keeping in touch with folks back home, cheap and convenient.