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One of the first things I usually do when I arrive in Bangkok or Phuket is get a SIM card for Thailand. While the wifi is great in most hotels and public places, it can also be terribly slow the more remote you get (looking at you, guesthouse in Koh Lipe!).
I also like to be mobile while I am on the go and prefer having a local phone number to use with LINE and other Thai apps. And unlike in Germany, data is cheap in Thailand, and getting a SIM card is incredibly easy.
In case it is your first trip to Thailand or you want to know the best offers for 2026, I have broken it down for you. This is your guide on how to get a SIM card for Thailand or alternatively, a Thailand eSIM.
The easiest way to get a SIM card for Thailand
Table of Contents:
Mobile network providers in Thailand
Thailand has a few different mobile network operators with AIS being the largest one. However, in 2023 the second and third larges, true and dtac, have merged setting out to become the market leader. However, for your SIM card needs it shouldn’t make a difference which one you choose.
All of them have pretty good coverage and they each have their own set of Thailand SIM cards for tourists with pretty similar prices. I tend to choose the one with the shortest line when I arrive at the airport.
Under the name true|dtac they have some combined SIM cards now however, other cards still show individual branding – it is a bit confusing, to be honest. But as I said, don’t worry too much about it.
The only difference is that AIS only has tourist SIM cards with unlimited data while true|dtac offers SIM cards with unlimited data as well as those with a set amount of data.
While you would think that unlimited data is the way to go, most of them have a so-called “fair use policy”. This means you can usually use about 2,5 GB per day at full speed before your data speed gets capped until the next day. This is of course fine for daily use, but if you are planning to use your Thailand SIM card to stream or send a lot of data, it might become an issue.
Here are some current price examples for SIM cards in Thailand for foreigners:
dtac Happy Tourist Infinite SIM
- Unlimited Internet & Call for 8 days = 499 baht / $16
- Unlimited Internet for 10 days = 349 baht / $11.20
- Unlimited Internet & Call for 15 days = 699 baht / $22.50
- Unlimited Internet & Call for 30 Tage = 1,199 baht / $38.50
true offers exactly the same packages under the name Thailand Tourist Infinite SIM. All of those are also available as an eSIM.
AIS Thailand Tourist SIM
- Unlimited Internet 5G/4G for 5 days = 399 baht / $12.80
- Unlimited Internet 5G/4G for 8 days = 499 baht / $16
- Unlimited Internet 5G/4G for 15 days = 699 baht / $22.50
- Unlimited Internet 5G/4G for 30 days = 1,199 baht / $38.50
- Unlimited Internet 5G/4G for 60 days = 1,599 baht / $51.40
In addition, you get free calling within the AIS network and 100 baht credit for local and international calling. Except for the 60-day card, you can get all of them as eSIM as well.
As you can tell the prices are almost identical and get cheaper the longer you stay.
Please note that these can change frequently and I am just mentioning those so you have an idea of how much SIM cards for tourists currently are in Thailand. Don’t hold me to it!
Tourist SIM card for Thailand vs. regular prepaid SIM cards
So here is the deal: most network providers want you to go for a Thailand SIM card for tourists. These are readily available at most international airports and also in some stores. Unfortunately, they are more expensive than regular prepaid SIM cards.
Personally, I do not care. I think that data is pretty inexpensive in Thailand and to me, nothing beats the convenience of getting my SIM card at the airport. At many airports, you can even get it next to the luggage claim so you can sort your SIM card while you wait for your suitcase.
However, if you really need to penny-pinch you could always try for a regular prepaid SIM card. But you will need to find a store from a network provider or try your luck at 7-Eleven or such. The problem here: some may not want to sell you, a tourist, a non-tourist SIM card. In addition, you will need to find a store where the staff speaks enough English (or you need to polish up your Thai skills) and carry your passport with you.
To me, that is an added hassle not worth saving a few bucks.
My recommendation: Buy the best SIM card in Thailand for tourists at the cheapest price and use the network provider’s app to top up if you need more data or extend the life of your SIM. I recently did this after buying a data package from DTAC at the airport. The prices on the app are incredibly cheap and you can even pay with your international credit card.
This way, you get the best of both worlds – a convenient albeit slightly more expensive Thailand travel SIM card from the airport and an inexpensive top-up later.
Where can you buy a SIM card in Thailand?
As mentioned above I usually buy my SIM card at the airport. You will find kiosks of the different operators at international airports in Bangkok, both at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muaeng, in Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, and others. Some have them located directly next to the luggage claim while others have the kiosks outside in the arrival hall – do not fret, it is honestly hard to miss them.
At some airports, they even have self-serve machines now.
If you prefer to save, you will need to find a store like 7-Eleven or Family Mart or go to one of the operator branches. There are also sales points at some BTS and MRT stations in Bangkok. However, they might be limited in the SIM cards they have available.
Important: You will need to have your passport with you in order to register your new Thailand SIM card, it’s the law. Usually, the staff will do all of the registration bits and bobs for you, switch out your SIM card, and make sure that everything works as it should.
Unlike places like Vietnam or India, I have yet to hear about SIM card scams in Thailand but of course, it is a good idea to make sure your new number and data works before you leave the airport/ shop.
How do you top up a Thailand SIM card?
During my last Thailand trip, I got a dtac SIM card at Phuket Airport with a set amount of data. Once this ran out, I simply downloaded the app while I had wifi and registered my account with my local Thai number. As you can see, buying data on the app is quite a bit cheaper than getting it with your tourist SIM – I only paid 168 baht for 50 GB!
The only small nuisance: you will need to buy a refill first via the app and then choose the data package you want. But honestly, it is just an extra step and is worth the savings. In order to refill, you can use your international credit card on the app.
eSIM card for Thailand
If you like to be prepared and not have to worry about comparing prices at the airport because you will arrive late or be tired, you can simply choose to buy an eSIM for your Thailand trip.
What is an eSIM? An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you download and activate with a link/ QR code while leaving your SIM card from home in your phone. You are foregoing switching out one physical SIM card with another, simply adding a second digital one.
The advantages: You can buy your eSIM card for Thailand from the comfort of your home and just activate it once you arrive – no waiting in line at an airport kiosk. You will also keep your original SIM card which can be useful if you need to receive a PIN code or do an authentication with your regular number.
Most modern phones are equipped for the use of eSIMs these days, but if you have any doubt you can check the list of models on the providers’ websites.
That said, eSIMs have a couple of disadvantages too which keeps me from using them often. First of all, many are quite pricey compared to buying a local Thai SIM card with data. Secondly, most won’t come with a local phone number – they are purely for data use. That is fine in most cases, but there are instances when a Thai number is super useful i.e. to register for apps like Line or Grab.
The choices for Thailand eSIMs these days are sheer endless. A favorite for many is Holafly, but I find them vastly overpriced.
Who to choose instead? Here are my 3 current favorites:
Sim Local Thailand eSIM
I am currently in Thailand, updating this post with my eSIM from Sim Local. To be honest, I didn’t think I needed to include yet another Thailand eSIM recommendation in this post, but I was wrong. In fact, Sim Local is the one I would choose again!
What makes Sim Local special? In addition to regular eSIMs that give you a set amount of data, they also offer an Unlimited and Unlimited Pro plan for Thailand, as well as a few other countries. These plans are available for 7 or 15 days. What makes them different from other unlimited plans? Well, most so-called unlimited plans are, in fact, not really unlimited, thanks to the fair usage policy.
A fair usage policy restricts data usage of unlimited plans, making it ‘fairer’ for all users. Most will only give you about 3 GB at high speed per day before throttling the speed you surf in until it resets the next day.
Not so with Sim Local: The Unlimited plan gives you 5 GB per day in high speed, and the Unlimited Pro even 10 GB per day. So you can truly surf to your heart’s content! Plans currently are:
- Unlimited 7 days for $20,75
- Unlimited Pro 7 days for $28,25
- Unlimited 15 days for $38,50
- Unlimited Pro 15 days $50
Another great advantage: Even for the unlimited plans, they offer an unlimited hotspot, meaning you can share your data with another device.
Keen to try a Sim Local eSIM for your next trip?
Airalo
Airalo is my preferred eSIM operator for Thailand. They have solid prices, and you can choose between a set amount of data or unlimited data packages.
For quick stopovers, you can choose a 3-day package, and for longer trips, you can get a 15-day or 30-day package with up to 50 GB. In addition, they have 6 different packages with unlimited data. Keep in mind, though, that you will only get 3 GB per day at max speed as part of the fair usage policy.
An especially good option is their Happy Tourist eSIM from dtac (scroll all the way to the bottom of the page). This is available with 3 different packages:
- 50 GB, 100 minutes, valid for 10 days for $9,90
- Unlimited GB, valid for 15 days for $19,95
- Unlimited GB, valid for 30 days for $34,95
What is so special about them: unlike most Thailand eSIMs this one will give you a local number, great for registering with Grab or LINE and of course make calls to other local numbers.
A great alternative, albeit a little more expensive is their Aisalink eSIMs. These eSIMs work in 18 Asian countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, and Vietnam. This is super practical if you are planning on traveling to other countries – this way you don’t have to worry about getting yet another local SIM card once you leave Thailand.
Saily
Saily is a great eSIM operator if you need the added security of a VPN when surfing – the team behind Saily is the same that operates NordVPN. Ad blockers and web protection are part of every Saily eSIM, so you can increase your privacy when surfing.
For Thailand, Saily offers 5 packages with a set amount of data and various options for unlimited data use. While they are a bit more expensive than Airalo, you will get 5 GB daily at maximum speed as part of their fair usage policy.
An exciting new product is the Saily Ultra Plan. This is an eSIM subscription (though you can cancel anytime) that allows you to use 30 GB monthly in over 120 destinations.
In addition, you get perks like airport lounge and fast-track access, extra security support features, cashback, and more. It currently costs $59,99 per month and is well worth it, especially if you are traveling to other countries after your Thailand holiday.
What SIM card do you use in Thailand?
