Thailand SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Visiting Thailand soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Thailand SIM card.

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 mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Thailand.

If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Thai – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Thailand.

Best SIM Cards In Thailand

If you’re traveling in Thailand, we recommend using a SIM card from AIS, Truemove, Dtac, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Asia, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Asian countries.

Buying A SIM Card In Thailand

You can buy a Thailand prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

In some shops, you might only be able to pay with cash. Learn more about money in Thailand.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a Thailand SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase an Asia prepaid SIM card online.

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

AIS SIM Cards

AIS offers a variety of prepaid SIM card plans.

The most relevant for tourists include:

• SIM super net: Unlimited data, 5 days, THB 50 ($1.31)
• SIM net marathon: Unlimited data, one month, THB 880 (22.97) – There are many SIM net marathon plans available, depending on what you are looking for.

Truemove SIM Cards

Truemove has several different prepaid plans available:

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

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

Dtac SIM Cards

Dtac offers a number of SIM-only plans for tourists:

• Happy Net: Free Youtube & social media, THB 49
• Happy Combo: Unlimited data, 10 days, THB 99
• Happy Combo 2: Unlimited data, 30 days, THB 199

Overall, we think Truemove is the cheapest option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

Over the years, I’ve tried all of them. I have a preference for AIS and Dtac because I think it’s a bit faster, but it can depend on your location.

How To Buy A Thailand Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the Prepaid Asia-Pacific SIM card works in more than 17 countries and gives you unlimited data for 14 days. Thailand is included.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Browse your options on Amazon

Another option is to purchase a prepaid Asian SIM card on SimOptions.

They currently offer one data plan in Thailand:

• 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90

Browse your options on SimOptions

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

How To Buy A Thailand eSIM

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get Internet in Thailand.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it.

To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo. Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Thailand.

Airalo Thailand

If you want to buy an eSIM for Thailand, you could purchase one on Airalo.

This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and Thailand. I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.

Here are the options available:

• 50 GB, valid for 10 days for $9.90 (including calls)
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $19.95 (including calls)

Here’s an overview of the options available for Asia:

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

The options mentioned above are part of Asialink and offer coverage in 14 countries, including Thailand.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries that are not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 124 countries, including Thailand.

Here’s an overview of the options available on Discover Global:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $24
• 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
• 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
• 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.

In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Go to Airalo

Holafly Thailand

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.

You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of their plans for Thailand:

• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $21
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $29
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $51
• Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $62
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $75
• Unlimited data, valid for 60 days for $107
• Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for $139

Go to Holafly

Nomad Thailand

Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider.

Here’s an overview of the plans available for Thailand:

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

Nomad also has APAC, an eSIM plan in Asia. This plan offers coverage in Thailand.

Here’s an overview:

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

Go to Nomad

Final Thoughts On Thailand SIM Cards

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Thailand or even an eSIM for your travels in Thailand is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Asia without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase an Asia plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Thailand if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

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

• Best place to live in Thailand
• Chiang Mai to Pai
• How many days in Chiang Mai