After extensively traveling around almost all of Thailand and spending over 9 months there, we have tried and tested the different options of Thailand SIMs and eSIMs to know which to recommend and which not.
So in this article, we’ll cover all the essentials you need to know about before buying a SIM card or eSIM package in Thailand.
QUICK INFO – Best Thailand SIM deals
SIM for pickup
(Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai)
SIM Card delivery
(Beijing, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong)
Why you should get a Thailand SIM card
While WiFi is widely available in Thailand, in your hotel, hostel, or resort, and almost all cafes and restaurants, getting a local Thailand SIM card is the way to go for a comfortable trip.
The most significant benefit of buying a Thailand SIM card package is that you can comfortably use ride-hailing apps like Grab (Uber), Google Maps for navigation, and Google Translate.
While it’s true that most locals and businesses in Thailand use apps like WhatsApp and LINE to communicate, having a local number has also proven helpful for us. For example, we had to make a last-minute call to our ferry company about the pick-up from our island hotel.
Should you get a physical SIM or eSIM for Thailand?
In recent years, eSIM technology has been widely supported in most modern phones, so if your phone supports eSIMs, there’s no reason not to get one.
We are big supporters of the eSIM technology and have had it since we got a phone that supported it a few years ago.
Buying a Thailand eSIM is the most hassle-free option: buy it online, scan the QR code you receive, and install it on your phone in minutes. No more going to the SIM shop!
Update: Lately, you can even install an eSIM simply by clicking a link and no longer scanning a QR code.
eSIM Compatibility
Note: Many Thailand eSIM packages you can find online don’t come with any text or calls. However, our favorite, Thailandesim, does have packages that include them.
But that’s also the case with some of the standard SIM packages at the airport. Most only give you data.
So, if you need calls and texts, make sure your plan includes it. We list those plans later in the article.
Multiple active eSIMs consideration
Before getting an eSIM, consider if you need multiple eSIMs active simultaneously. Depending on your phone model, that might not be possible.
In practice, if your home phone plan is on an eSIM, and you can only have one eSIM active on your phone, then a physical one makes sense if you need both your home and travel numbers active.
For example, this was the case on our old iPhone 11.
Which Thailand mobile carrier is the best?
There are four major mobile carriers in Thailand, with the two best networks being AIS and DTAC, and right behind being TrueMove, with still great coverage, excellent internet speed, and more affordable plans.
The internet coverage and speeds in Thailand are amazing, even 5G. So, any of the top carriers will perform well all over the country.
If you want the clearest picture of each carrier’s coverage in Thailand, check out the practical nPerf coverage map.
1. AIS
AIS is the mobile carrier with the best coverage in Thailand and the most expensive packages. However, it’s the best choice for travelers who want the ultimate coverage and the most reliable service.
2. DTAC
DTAC has the second-best coverage in Thailand and, in addition to AIS, is the best choice for great coverage.
The Happy Tourism SIM Card package from DTAC is a popular choice, and you can even buy it online here. We have used it multiple times in Thailand and have always been satisfied with the package, coverage, and speed.
3. TrueMove
Throughout our Thailand travels, we have used TrueMove the most, as it often had the most affordable local packages on offer, with fast internet speeds, even when we hot-spotted it for laptop work.
TrueMove has the third-best coverage but offers many plans with high internet speeds. And that’s why it’s an excellent choice for most travelers.
The ONE time that TrueMove let us down was during our stay on the Floating Bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok. We learned from other travelers that AIS was the only one with signal there. However, it’s a great spot to disconnect, and we were just fine!
Grab a 15% discount for your next travel insurance!
Be smart and protect yourself from unexpected costs by getting travel insurance before traveling abroad. We recommend Heymondo Travel Insurance (extensive medical coverage, 24/7 worldwide assistance, and more).
For digital nomads or full-time travelers, we recommend SafetyWing, which includes brief visits to your home country every 3 months abroad.
Where to buy your Thailand SIM card
The three most common ways to buy your Thailand SIM card are at the airport, online, or at one of the official mobile carrier stores in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, or any other city.
1. Buy a physical Thailand SIM card at the airport
The simplest way to buy your physical Thailand SIM card is upon your arrival at the airport.
All Thailand airports are full of kiosks selling Thailand SIM card packages from operators like TrueMove, DTAC, and AIS.
Just walk up to the kiosk, and you will get your Thailand SIM card installed and ready to go in minutes.
Note: To buy a physical SIM card, you need a passport, as they will have to register the package in your name, as is the official requirement. This is not required if you buy an eSIM online.
We highly recommend comparing packages of at least two kiosks to find the best deal, as they don’t always offer the same packages or prices. And while some have better deals for shorter periods, some have better deals for longer trips.
Do note, though, that mobile packages at Thailand airports are more expensive than at official stores or online.
Don’t go to Thailand before reading these!
- Phi Phi Islands Things To Do + Travel Guide
- Koh Phangan Complete Guide
- Your Bangkok Guide
- Phuket Full Travel Guide
- Things To Do in Chiang Mai + Guide
- Chiang Rai Travel Guide
- Krabi Guide
2. Buy your Thailand eSIM online
It’s straightforward to buy a Thailand eSIM online and activate it in a matter of minutes.
Getting an eSIM online is especially smart if you’re entering Thailand by land border from Cambodia, Laos, or Malaysia. If you’re on an organized bus trip, you usually don’t have enough time to sort your SIM at the border.
And, of course, having a pre-installed eSIM when arriving by plane in Thailand means that you’re online as soon as you land.
Best Thailand eSIM options
We’ve been following the providers of Thailand eSIMs since they started offering them and have compiled a list of the best ones below.
Thailandesim
Affordable, Best choice for unlimited plans
Airalo
Affordable for short and long trips
SimOptions
Great selection of eSIM and prepaid SIM plans
Holafly
Unlimited data packages for longer periods
1. Thailandesim
Our personal recommendation is to buy an eSIM from Thailandesim because they offer the biggest selection of plans, local or regional, which are also the most affordable on the market, and even offer a local phone number.
Use code SHIPPEDAWAY to receive a 5% discount on all packages by Thailandesim.
- plans for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30 days
- unlimited data or fixed data packages
- local Thailand and regional plans
- calls & text available (local number)
- data sharing (hotspot)
2. Airalo
Airalo is the second-best Thailand eSIM retailer, with good options for local and regional Asian packages. However, they have a smaller selection of packages.
Use code MATEJ1033 to save $3 on your first order.
- unlimited data
- local Thailand and regional plans
- plans for 10, 15, and 30 days
- data sharing (hotspot)
3. SimOptions
Much like Airalo, SimOptions offers a great selection of eSIM plans but also provides the service of getting a prepaid SIM card package.
- unlimited data or fixed data packages
- plans for 7, 10, 15, and 30 days
- data sharing (hotspot)
4. Holafly
Holafly is the most expensive Thailand eSIM retailer, but they are a good option if you want an unlimited data package for extended periods.
Use code SHIPPEDAWAY to receive a 5% discount on all packages by Holafly.
- unlimited data
- plans for 1 to 90 days
- data sharing not available or limited (hotspot)
3. Order your physical Thailand SIM online
You can order your Thailand SIM card online and pick it up upon arrival in Thailand or get it delivered to your home address. This way, you get a much better deal than buying it directly at the airport, and you get to skip the line.
| Thailand Physical SIM pick-up and delivery | |
|---|---|
| DTAC SIM Airport pick-up: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai | check offer |
| TrueMove SIM Airport pick-up: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai | check offer |
| Hong Kong Airport Portable WiFi pick-up | check offer |
| DTAC SIM Delivery: Beijing, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong | check offer |
The Thailand SIM card pick-up options are great, but the delivery options are currently limited. We could only find reliable delivery options for Beijing, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong.
Help other travelers by letting us know if you find any more Thailand SIM delivery options.
4. Buy your Thailand SIM card at the official store
The same way you would get a phone package in your home country is valid for Thailand. You can visit the official stores of mobile carriers (TrueMove, AIS, DTAC) across all cities in Thailand to buy your SIM card.
Often, official stores have better deals than airports or smaller reseller shops. They’re also a better option if you’re planning to stay long-term in Thailand.
Personally, we now rarely visit mobile carrier stores in Thailand, as the eSIM packages are minimally more expensive and still offer a good amount of data and fast speeds.
TRAVEL TIP
You can also simply buy the SIM Card from TrueMove at almost any 7-Eleven in Thailand (last time, it was just 49 Thai Baht), then register their app, top-up with a credit card, and then buy the package you want.
How much does a Thailand SIM card package cost?
Thailand SIM Card packages are affordable and cost upwards of 4 USD for a smaller amount of data and about 10 USD for an excellent data package with text and calls included.
Mobile data packages often change names, and what they offer, so we won’t discuss each carrier’s packages. But we will give you a reliable estimated cost of a Thailand mobile package.
| DATA IN PACKAGE / VALIDITY | COST OF PACKAGE |
|---|---|
| 15 GB – 7 days | 7 USD |
| 10 GB – 1 month | 20 USD |
| Unlimited data – 10 days | 10 USD |
| Unlimited data – 15 days | 20 USD |
| Unlimited data – 1 month | 35 USD |
Do Thailand SIM Card packages include calls and texts?
Most Thailand SIM card packages you can buy at the airport come with a generous amount of calls and texts. You can also top up some money in your account and get extra calls and texts if the package you bought doesn’t include them.
Calls in Thailand cost about 1 Baht per minute, and texting costs about 2 Baht per SMS.
Our recommended provider, Thailandesim, also includes calls and texts with a local number in most of their eSIM packages.
To book transport in Asia, we always use this platform, the top transport booking platform in the region for flights, trains, buses, and taxis. Their user-friendly platform makes booking a breeze.
How to top up your prepaid Thailand SIM package
Topping up your Thailand mobile package is simple in almost every convenience store, like 7-Eleven.
Often, these stores have dedicated systems where you provide them with your phone number, and they top up how much you want to your account. And if they don’t have that system, you will receive a code on your receipt that you use/call to top up.
Finally, you can buy top-up vouchers or scratch cards and use the codes to top up.
And don’t forget that all carriers offer mobile apps where you can register your SIM, top-up your credit, change your plan, or buy add-ons.
AIS Thailand add-on options
DTAC add-on options
TrueMove add-on options
Frequently asked questions
It’s absolutely worth buying a SIM card in Thailand, as you can’t always rely on WiFi.
You can buy your Thailand SIM Card online or in many shops at the airport, in official carrier stores, or smaller resellers in any city.
The best Thailand SIM Card is TrueMove H because it’s the most affordable and offers great coverage, high-speed internet, and great package options.
A Thailand SIM Card package costs upwards of 4 USD for a data plan with about 3 to 5 GB of data.
Yes, many Thailand SIM Card packages come with calls and texts, but check the offer before buying.
You can get a Thailand eSIM (embedded SIM) from many online providers, some even with unlimited data, calls, and texts.
It’s best to get a Thailand eSIM if your phone supports it.
SIM Cards in Thailand are usually active for 7, 10, 15, or 30 days.
Yes, you can get a Thailand SIM Card at the kiosks at Bangkok Airports or by pre-ordering it online.
Yes, you can get a Thailand SIM Card at the kiosks at Phuket Airport or by pre-ordering it online.
Yes, you can get a Thailand SIM Card at the kiosks at Chiang Mai Airport or by pre-ordering it online.
Final thoughts
Hopefully, we answered all your questions about getting the best Thailand SIM card deal for your trip. Got any extra questions? Leave a comment below, and we’ll get back to you!
Have you found a better deal than the recommended ones in this article? We are happy to hear about it! We’re continuously searching for the best SIM Card deals for travelers to Thailand, so we’d appreciate any feedback.
Continue reading
Find a list of over 60 travel guides to Thailand’s South, Central, and North.
Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Pai
Phi Phi Islands – Maya Bay – Koh Hong
Koh Samui – Koh Tao – Koh Phangan
Similan Islands – Surin Islands
