I feel like I should revive this geeky rant blog after what I had encountered at Siam Paragon on Monday.
So the malls have banded with Thailand’s top ISPs: DTAC, AIS, True and TOT, to provide “free wifi” in their perimeters to existing customers of the mentioned services.
I, a committed AIS customer of over 12 years (true story), was delighted to see the sign and “AISwifi” on my iPad’s available network list.
I’m currently paying the B899 a month iPhone package, which includes free AIS wifi, both offered by AIS and by 3BB.
So here I was, at Le Notre trying to connect my iPad. A screen pops up with three things:
- Login fileds
- Instruction 1: Call *388# if you do not already have wifi package. This will cost you B99/month.
- Instruction 2: If you already have a wifi package, call *389# to receive your login details.
So I did the second instruction. Then it pops on my phone saying “to get your password, please call *388#”
Well no freaking way. I’m already paying for the wifi, why should I pay extra B99 for this “free wifi” service?
So I called AIS hotline. First customer service person said I should request for a new set of login as this is not included in my wifi package. Almost threw a fit until she told me it would be free but at the limit of 2 hours.
Fine. I did. Got the password. Then of course it said “password not usable”.
So I called again. Now the second customer service girl said the CORRECT number to request for password is not the ones listed on the login page. SO WHY ARE THEY LISTED THERE TO CONFUSE PEOPLE IN THE FIRST PLACE?
According to the second girl, it’s supposed to be *199*555#. So I got another set of password. Tried. “Password unusable”.
So I threw a fit at the third customer service girl who, probably after seeing my name in their call log three times within 10 minutes, finally transfered my call to their “wifi engineer”. And this is the answer for their promoted “Free Wifi throughout Siam Paragon” deal:
AIS wifi signals are only available near Swensen’s and SE-ED bookstore
/facepalm
