Thailand SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

About to visit Thailand?Make sure you know what to expect when you buy Thailand SIM card.

Fortunately, Asia is one of the best places where you can easily buy a SIM card. You should be able to find cheap SIM cards almost anywhere in Asia. The fact that most packets are affordable makes the whole thing easier!

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In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Thailand in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your phone supports it.

Before reading this guide, you may be wondering if you really need a SIM card in Thailand. If you don’t mind not having internet, you’ll probably find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, hail a taxi, or translate Thai – you’ll probably need a SIM card to use when traveling in Thailand.

Bangkok, Thailand

best sim card in thailand

If you are traveling in Thailand, we recommend that you use an AIS, Truemove, Dtac or Airalo SIM card. (I’ll be back to Airalo later, so read on to learn more!)

That said, if you plan to visit other countries during your travels in Asia, you may want to make sure you choose the option that provides coverage in other Asian countries.

How to buy a SIM card in Thailand

You can buy a Thailand prepaid SIM card at some international airports, mobile operator stores, convenience stores or online.

Generally, you can get higher cost and lower data at the airport, so we do not recommend buying a SIM card at the airport. That said, you won’t necessarily find a SIM card store at every airport, so keep that in mind. And, when you see a store, your options may also be limited.

For this reason, I recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider’s store. Note that you may need a passport to purchase.

Planning your upcoming adventure? Travel by bus! (Very cheap!)

Although, that means you won’t get the data immediately upon arrival. So if you want to stay connected at all times, you can use an eSIM or buy an Asian prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s look at the data plans offered by AIS, Truemove, and Dtac.

Phi Phi Island, Thailand

AIS SIM card

automatic identification system Several prepaid SIM card plans are available. The ones most relevant to tourists include:

SIM Super Network: Unlimited data, 5 days, 50 baht ($1.31)
SIM Cyber Marathon: Unlimited Data, One Month, 880 Baht (22.97) – There are many SIM Cyber Marathon plans available, depending on what you are looking for.

Truemove SIM card

real move There are several different prepaid plans available:

1 GB data for 39 baht for 7 days
3 GB data, 3 days, 75 baht
5 GB data, 7 days, 99 baht
8 GB data, 7 days, 149 baht
15 GB data, 7 days, 150 baht
15 GB data, 15 days, 249 THB

As you can see, it has more options than AIS.

Dtac SIM card

Tucker There are some SIM-only plans for tourists:

Happy Net: Free Youtube and social media, 49 baht
Happy Combo: Unlimited Data, 10 Days, 99 Baht
Happy Combo 2: Unlimited Data, 30 Days, 199 Baht

Overall, we think Truemove is the cheapest option if you’re planning to buy a SIM card in person. That is, if you can’t find their store, anyone will! I have tried all of them over the years. I prefer AIS and Dtac because I think it’s faster, but it might depend on your location.

How to Buy Thailand Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready when you arrive, you can buy it online or on sites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. E.g, Prepaid Asia Pacific SIM Card Works in over 17 countries and gives you 14 days of unlimited data. Including Thailand.

But there are many other options worth considering, so check and make sure the country you plan to visit is listed.

Another option is to buy a prepaid Asian SIM card simplify. This method works if you live in the US or Australia. They currently offer 3 different packages covering Thailand:

6 GB, valid for 12 days, $25 – works in 13 countries
6 GB, valid for 15 days, $40 – works in 18 countries
10 GB valid for 30 days for $29 – available in 13 countries

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM for Thailand, or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Asia.

How to buy an eSIM card for Thailand

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your phone supports eSIM – this is definitely one of the best options for getting data in Thailand.

curious? Learn more about eSIM for travelers eSIM Roamer.

I started using eSIM as soon as my phone supported it. I tried it for the first time while visiting family in Canada.To buy an eSIM, I usually use Airalo. Read on to learn more about the best eSIMs in Thailand.

Airalo Thailand

If you want to buy an eSIM for Thailand, you can Airalo. The site offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and Thailand. I’ve been using Airalo for a few months and it works great.

here has Available options:

Dtac: Unlimited data, valid for 8 days, $9.90
Dtac: Unlimited data, valid for 15 days, $19.95

Airalo eSIM plan in Thailand

Here is an overview Options available in Asia:

1 GB, valid for 7 days, $5
3 GB, valid for 30 days, $13
5 GB, valid for 30 days, $20
10 GB, valid for 30 days, $37
50 GB, valid for 90 days, $100
100 GB, valid for 180 days, $185

The above options are part of Asialink, covering 14 countries including Thailand.

Or, if you’re traveling in other countries not mentioned in the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 87 countries, including Thailand.

Here is an overview Options available on Discover Global:

1 GB valid for 7 days for $9
3 GB, valid for 15 days, $24
5 GB, valid for 30 days, $35
10 GB, valid for 60 days, $59
20 GB valid for 180 days for $89

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you need to keep an eye on the provider in each country. Let’s say you can’t connect to the Internet while you’re on the road. In this case, it may be because you are automatically connected to the network and you need to select the network manually.

After purchasing an eSIM, you will have access to a list of supported networks in each country.

Holfly Thailand

Alternatively, you can review your options Holafley. You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here is an overview of their plans for Thailand:

Unlimited data, valid for 5 days, $19
Unlimited data, valid for 10 days, $34
Unlimited data, valid for 15 days, $47
Unlimited data, valid for 20 days, $54
Unlimited data, valid for 30 days, $64
Unlimited data, valid for 60 days, $84
Unlimited data, valid for 90 days, $99

Their Asian eSIM Working in 12 countries (including Thailand), they offer the following programs:

$47 30 days 8 GB data

nomadic thailand

at last, nomads Also a great eSIM provider. Below is an overview of the plans available in Thailand:

1GB, valid for 7 days, $5
2GB, valid for 30 days, $10
3GB, valid for 30 days, $13
5GB, valid for 30 days, $15
10GB, valid for 30 days, $21
20GB, valid for 30 days, $30

nomads also have Asia-Pacific, eSIM plans in Asia. This plan provides coverage in Thailand. Here is an overview:

1GB, valid for 7 days, $6
3GB, valid for 30 days, $15
5GB, valid for 30 days, $17
10GB, valid for 30 days, $50
20GB, valid for 30 days, $69

Final Thoughts on Thailand SIM Cards

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Thailand or even an eSIM to use while traveling in Thailand is very simple. You can even stay connected anywhere in Asia without changing your SIM card, especially if you buy an Asia plan.

If you want data on arrival, I believe an eSIM is the easiest way to get data in Thailand. This way, you don’t need to go to the store to buy a SIM card. Obviously, you need to make sure your phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling to Thailand recently? Read one of the following blog posts:

Thailand SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know | 2022