There is a wide variety of delectable foods, fascinating tourist destinations, exciting pursuits, and engaging customs to discover. The splendour of Thailand is undeniable. But there may be an issue: you have to stay in touch with loved ones, but roaming services are excessively pricey.
Wi-Fi hotspots may be accessible in some locations, but they may not always be the most practical choice. However, keeping in touch with the outside world is essential, and we'll make it easier for you throughout your entire journey by reviewing your options - which include three types of SIM cards.
A frequent misconception is that you have to use roaming to contact home or send messages when you go internationally. However, if you want to save money and avoid roaming fees, a prepaid SIM card is what you need.
It's easy to acquire a Thai SIM card and phone number. Each primary mobile network provider in the country has some deal or discount designated for tourists. Only your passport, some cash in Thai baht, and an unlocked phone are required.
But there are multiple to pick from, so how do you choose? To help you decide, we've narrowed down the three popular SIM card providers.
To start, there's AIS, the largest service provider in Thailand. Choose from a variety of flexible plans and excellent protection from this provider. DTAC is the country's second-largest corporation. Like AIS, it has good coverage, albeit slightly less. True Move H is the third best option. It's the most well-known SIM card supplier in Thailand but not often regarded as the best.
Secondly, all three operators offer Tourist or Traveler SIM cards for short-term use. Long-term visitors can choose pre- or postpaid packages. Finally, install the provider's app on your phone to conveniently top up, control data consumption, and receive promos.
Carriers activate SIM cards under the name and passport number in your passport. SIM suppliers will take a photo of your passport and upload it to the NBTC database through a phone app to register the SIM card they are selling you.
Buying a temporary plan at the airport is best if you're temporarily visiting Thailand. Suvarnabhumi Airport's baggage claim area has pop-up SIM card booths. Tourist-friendly deals include short-term packages of internet, minutes, plus messages.
Buy your plan from a carrier's official store outside the airport for longer visits, such as an extended vacation or moving here. 7-11 and Family Mart also have SIM cards for sale; 7-11 has DTAC and True Move, while Family Mart has AIS. But, again, there are cheaper plans that can better match your needs.
Also, tourist SIMs expire after 30 days, while monthly SIMs don't. However, you'll need a work visa or work permit and your passport for a monthly plan in Thailand. You can also have your Thai wife, husband, or another family member sign up for you. They must show a Thai ID.
Important things to do before coming to Thailand:
You won't be able to buy a SIM card without Thai baht, so visit your local bank and exchange a few thousand baht before you travel.
Remember to unlock your phone before you come to Thailand. You can have your carrier unlock it or do it yourself. If you forget or don't have time, go to an MBK phone shop, and they may be able to do it for you.
Prepaid and postpaid plans differ for long-term Thai SIM cards from AIS, DTAC, or TrueMove. Prepaid packages are paid for before using credit. So adding 50 baht to your phone gives you 50 baht in credit. Of course, you'll need to top up if you run out of credit. However, most carriers allow emergency calls (meaning to police).
Monthly, you pay for postpaid packages. For example, if your plan is 400 baht and includes 400 minutes of credit, you still pay 400 baht monthly. If you overspend, you'll be charged extra. These prepaid SIM cards and packages let you control your monthly phone spending. No one-year contract either.
An important thing to know:
Using the internet drains your minutes (data). So you have to buy a different kind of plan for unlimited internet plus phone use. For this, you should visit a designated carrier kiosk as they'll have all the plans and guidance.
You can top up your SIM at any 7–11 or Family Mart in Thailand. Boonterm machines outside convenience stores also work, as do ATMs. Or visit a kiosk in the mall, Big-C, or Tesco. You can also contact your SIM card provider via phone call or text, but they charge a small fee or top up online via your provider's website.
Why it’s the top choice: eSIMThailand.com is designed specifically for travelers visiting Thailand. It runs on True’s 4G/5G network, which offers almost 99% nationwide coverage, including Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Phangan, Chiang Mai, and the islands.
Key Features:
It’s the best option if you’re only staying in Thailand and want the fastest, most reliable connectivity with the convenience of a real local number. No need to queue at the airport or deal with roaming costs.
Strengths: eSIMThailand’s offerings are tailored to Thailand travelers, meaning you get near-local prices and features. The standout advantage is the inclusion of a local Thai phone number on most plans. This allows travelers to receive verification SMS and even place local calls – ideal for booking restaurants, calling hotels, or emergency contacts. The Unlimited Data & Calls plan in particular gives peace of mind with 24/7 connectivity and unlimited nationwide calling. All plans support mobile hotspot/tethering at no extra cost, so you can share data with your laptop or travel companions. Another strength is network quality: eSIMThailand uses the True network, which offers extensive 4G LTE and expanding 5G coverage. Travelers report fast, reliable data speeds throughout major cities and even in many rural areas. Purchasing is straightforward on the eSIMThailand website (available in multiple languages), and the provider boasts thousands of positive reviews from past travelers – reflecting a strong track record in Thailand tourism connectivity.
Considerations: Because eSIMThailand is a local solution, it is only usable within Thailand. If your trip will continue to other countries in the region, you would need to purchase a separate eSIM for those destinations. Similarly, the local Thai number provided is mainly useful for intra-Thailand communication; it won’t help with receiving calls from abroad unless your contacts dial your Thai number. Outgoing international calls are not a focus – the unlimited plan’s free international minutes only apply to a few Asian countries, so European travelers would need to use VoIP apps for calls home. Another consideration is that eSIMThailand’s longest plan is 30 days; for longer stays, you would have to purchase an additional plan or top-up. Overall, for a single-country trip to Thailand, eSIMThailand.com offers exceptional value with its unlimited data and local calling features – a combination not typically found in other global eSIM services.
Why it’s great: Airalo is one of the world’s most popular eSIM marketplaces, known for its easy-to-use app and wide selection of country and regional plans. For Thailand, Airalo gives you two main options: a Thailand-specific eSIM (for use only in Thailand) and the AsiaLink regional eSIM (covering multiple countries in Asia, including Thailand).
Thailand Plans: Airalo’s local eSIM for Thailand connects to a major Thai carrier network (recently AIS) to ensure strong coverage. It offers several data bundle options. These packages are data-only – they do not include a Thai phone number or voice minutes by default. If you run low on data, you can top up via the Airalo app or simply purchase another pack, which is delivered instantly.
AsiaLink Regional eSIM: For travelers touring multiple countries in Asia, Airalo’s AsiaLink eSIM is a convenient one-stop solution. This regional eSIM works across many countries (Thailand and most popular Asian destinations) on partner networks. You can travel from Thailand to Vietnam to Japan on the same eSIM profile without swapping cards. Like the Thailand-only plans, AsiaLink is data-only (no phone numbers or voice). The cost per GB is a bit higher on these regional plans, due to the convenience of broader coverage.
Strengths: Airalo’s biggest strength is its convenience and global reach. European travelers appreciate that they can download the Airalo app and purchase a Thailand eSIM (or AsiaLink) in a matter of minutes – no paperwork, no showing a passport, and no language barriers. The app provides clear installation instructions and 24/7 support. For Thailand specifically, Airalo’s plans are praised for being budget-friendly and offering sufficient data for typical travel needs. Another advantage is the option for regional coverage: with AsiaLink, an international traveler from Europe can use one eSIM across multiple countries seamlessly, which is great if Thailand is just one stop of a longer Asia tour. Airalo partners with top-tier local networks, so performance is usually very good – including in cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and popular islands. The data speeds support all common activities (Google Maps, Grab, Instagram, etc.), and 5G access in major cities means you can get ultra-fast speeds when available.
Considerations: One limitation of Airalo’s Thailand offerings is that they are data-only. Unlike eSIMThailand or the old DTAC tourist eSIM, the current Airalo plan won’t provide you with a local Thai phone number or the ability to make regular voice calls/SMS on the Thai networks. For most travelers this is only a minor issue, but if you needed to receive local SMS codes or call a Thai landline, Airalo alone wouldn’t suffice – you’d need to use a VoIP app or consider a provider that offers voice functionality. Additionally, while Airalo does offer an “unlimited” data option, it comes with a Fair Use Policy, and heavy users might find speeds reduced after a certain threshold. In practice, Airalo’s unlimited is ample for most needs. Another consideration is that Airalo’s AsiaLink, while convenient, isn’t the cheapest way to do Asia if you’re only going to one or two countries. Finally, Airalo’s customer service is primarily via in-app chat or email – there’s no in-person support. Overall, these are minor trade-offs; Airalo remains a top recommendation for its ease of use and flexible plan selection. Just keep in mind that it’s a data-centric solution.
Why it’s a good option: eTravelSIM is a global travel eSIM provider that focuses on making connectivity simple for tourists. It offers Thailand-specific plans as well as regional and global options, making it useful for both short and long trips. eTravelSIM plans often include unlimited data for a set number of days, and in some cases they also include a Thai number with free incoming calls and SMS.
Thailand Plans: eTravelSIM typically offers unlimited-data tourist plans for durations like 7, 15, or 30 days. Many of these plans come with a fair usage policy but still allow high-speed browsing for the majority of regular use cases. Some packages include a local Thai number with the ability to receive SMS and incoming calls, which is handy for services like Grab, hotel confirmations, or other local verifications. Plans are easy to activate via QR code, and they are ready to use instantly upon arrival in Thailand.
Strengths: eTravelSIM’s strength lies in its simple and tourist-focused approach. The plans are straightforward: choose the number of days, get unlimited data, and enjoy hassle-free connectivity. Travelers like the fact that there’s no complicated setup – you receive a QR code by email, scan it, and you’re online. eTravelSIM supports tethering/hotspot on most devices, so you can share your connection with a laptop or travel companions. Another benefit is that eTravelSIM often uses major Thai carrier networks, ensuring good coverage in cities and tourist regions like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. It’s a great option if you value simplicity and just want an “all-you-can-use” plan for the duration of your stay without worrying about running out of data.
Considerations: Like most global eSIM providers, eTravelSIM can be slightly more expensive than a purely local provider. Also, while some plans include a local number, not all do – so it’s important to check whether the plan you choose comes with call/SMS features or is data-only. Another consideration is that unlimited plans generally have a fair usage policy; after extremely heavy use, speeds may be reduced temporarily. Lastly, eTravelSIM focuses primarily on convenience rather than custom data sizes, so if you want a very small plan or highly tailored data amount, another provider like Airalo might give you more granular options. Overall, eTravelSIM is perfect for travelers who want ease of use and unlimited browsing without complicated setup.
For a single-country trip to Thailand, all three eSIM providers have their merits, but your best choice depends on your priorities:
Overall: For a traveler visiting only Thailand, eSIMThailand.com provides the most comprehensive local solution and is highly recommended for its unlimited data and call support. However, Airalo and eTravelSIM are both excellent in their own right – they deliver reliable data service and might suit you better if you have specific needs. All three will spare you the pain of roaming fees and are far more convenient than buying a SIM on arrival, as you can set them up from Europe and be connected the moment you land in Bangkok.
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