iPhone 5 Screen Replacement in Thailand?

I purchased my iPhone 5 September 21st in the US, and then moved to Thailand in October. I shattered my screen and I'm curious what my options might be to repair it. I'm looking for the cheapest option, so probably a DIY job with a screen ordered online. However, I've read in other forums that some Apple stores will completely replace a broken iPhone 5 for ~ $230 - which is an option I would entertain. Are there Apple stores in Thailand? All I've been able to find are certified retailers. Any suggestions on websites from which to purchase replacement screens would be greatly appreciated. All I've found so far are websites asking $299 for a screen, which is absolutely absurd.

Posted on Nov 17, 2012 11:23 AM

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19 replies

Nov 19, 2012 8:43 PM in response to deggie

Okay, so does the OOW replacement apply even if I originally purchased my phone through Verizon? And are you aware of any option that would allow me to ship my phone into Apple for a replacement as opposed to shipping it to a family member in the states and then having them take it into an apple store on my behalf? Thank you for your help!

Nov 19, 2012 8:47 PM in response to Jrymer

Apple will not accept a phone shipped from outside the country of the warranty and will not ship it back outside the country. Unfortunately, you see what the problem is with purchasing an iPhone outside of the country you are going to be using it in, as warranty and service are an issue.


Even though you purchased through Verizon, Apple handles all warranty issues.

Nov 20, 2012 5:19 AM in response to deggie

@deggie, or Chris (if you actually want to be helpful instead of patronizing), does Apple accept phones for repair or replacement if shipped to them domestically? Or do devices have to be physically taken into an Apple store? I could ship my phone to my family in the US, and have them take care of the OOW replacement for me, but there is not an Apple store in my home town. So, to essentially cut out the middleman, it'd be ideal if I could ship my phone to the US, and have it reshipped from a US address to Apple for replacement. Then, I could employ the opposite process to get it back to Thailand.

Nov 20, 2012 5:43 AM in response to Jrymer

Jrymer wrote:


Are there Apple stores in Thailand? All I've been able to find are certified retailers. Any suggestions on websites from which to purchase replacement screens would be greatly appreciated. All I've found so far are websites asking $299 for a screen, which is absolutely absurd.

There are no Apple stores in Thailand.


Depending as to where you are you can get a replacement screen for about 1000Baht at either Ma Boon Krong (MBK) Siam Square or Panthip Plaza in Bangkok or Tukcom in Pattaya.

Nov 20, 2012 5:58 AM in response to dankton12

Depending as to where you are you can get a replacement screen for about 1000Baht at either Ma Boon Krong (MBK) Siam Square or Panthip Plaza in Bangkok or Tukcom in Pattaya.


Really? For an iPhone 5 screen? I'm in Rayong, and the least I've been quoted here has been 6000 THB. Pattaya would be the closest.


Have you actually seen replacement iPhone 5 screens for that price? Or just 4S screens? I'm definitely down to make the trip to Pattaya, or even BKK if screens are that cheap.

Nov 20, 2012 6:55 AM in response to Jrymer

A colleague of mine in Pattaya had his screen replaced on his 5 for 1050Baht in Tukcom.


You need to bear in mind that it would be a third party replacement and void your Apple warranty, so you may consider the saving is not worth the risk of having Apple refusing to help you if anything else was to go wrong with your phone at a future date.,

Nov 20, 2012 9:35 AM in response to Jrymer

You never made the statement that you were only in Thailand for a short period of time, however that still doesn't change what I said. I provided you with correct information, based on what you provided. Had you stated you were only in Thailand for a temporary visit, the answer would have been somewhat different. Many times individuals are purchasing devices out of their country and are experiencing warranty issues. I was just explaining that. Also, I never made any reference to your being anything, so don't put words in my mouth.

Nov 20, 2012 9:38 AM in response to Jrymer

In no way were my comments patronizing. Apple Care is the method that Apple employs for domestic shipping. Handling the shipping as you state, but sending it to your family and then having them handle it through Apple Care and after receipt of the phone shipping it back to you is possible. However, one small snag in that is certain shipping carriers will not handle the phone because of the lithium battery. You will have to check on that, since it is considered somewhat of a harzardous material. I hope you get it sorted out without the increased expense of a 3rd party repair that would void any further warranty you might have. If you receive an OOW replacement from Apple, at least that has a warranty period.

Nov 22, 2012 5:32 AM in response to deggie

Turns out the lithium battery is going to be an issue with shipping, so I've devised another solution that might work. Let me know if you think this is possible...:


According to dankton12, you can get iPhone 5 screens replaced in a city about an hour away from where I live for ~ $35. This obviously will void my warranty, which is something I'll want/need to have when I return to the states in April. So, what if, to circumvent this issue, right before my return to the US I had my old, shattered screen replaced? That way, as long as they left no evidence of opening the phone, I could utilize my warranty to obtain a refurbished iPhone 5 upon returning to the states.


Is there any way, other than physical damage due to a technician's carelessness, that Apple can tell an iPhone has been opened?

Nov 22, 2012 7:06 AM in response to Jrymer

Apple will be able to tell if the phone has been opened by the fittings used and also of course the screen will not be an original Apple one.


You can guarentee that if you go ahead with a third party replacement screen it will be detected by Apple.


Also I did not say you could get the screen replaced in about an hour. I have no idea as to how long it took.

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iPhone 5 Screen Replacement in Thailand?

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