Prepaid SIM Cards and Mobile Internet in Thailand for Tourists

As a tourist in Thailand, navigating the country's complex telecommunications system can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to staying connected with family and friends back home. With multiple mobile operators offering a range of prepaid SIM card options, it's essential to know which one is best for your needs.

In this article we will talk about prepaid SIM cards in Thailand, and which card is better — physical or digital eSIM card. For a long time, regular SIM cards were the standard choice of tourists. Now eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience and ease of use.

In general, prepaid cell phone cards in Thailand give affordable and fast mobile internet. Most tariffs offer a stockpile of gigabytes first, and calls and SMS second.

Where to buy prepaid SIM card in Thailand

Prepaid data SIM cards in Thailand can be bought in all major cities — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Pattaya, Surrathani and other smaller towns.

Places of sale:

• airports;
• train stations;
• official operator stores;
• mini-markets (e.g. Family Mart or 7/11);
• self-service stores.

If you don't know how to get a prepaid data SIM card in Thailand, try the easiest way — buy a card at the airport. All airports in the country have kiosks with cards from the most popular local operators — AIS, DTAC, TrueMove H.

Before buying, we recommend comparing prices to find the best offer, as even in neighboring kiosks pricescan differ significantly. Pay attention to the tariffs: some have the best offers for short stays, while others have favorable prices for long stays.

How to get a SIM card in Thailand

To buy a travel SIM card, you will need a passport, and possibly an ID card with additional personal information. The seller must register the mobile communication package in your name — this is an official requirement. When using a virtual SIM cards, no registration is needed, you connect quickly and by yourself.

Read on to learn where to buy a prepaid SIM card in Thailand. It is best to buy in branded stores of the mobile operator. Consultants are guaranteed to sell you a quality product and solve all issues as quickly as possible. Here you can also replenish your mobile account.

Immediately after purchase we recommend you to install your operator's application on your smartphone and make all recharges and payments using the application. Through the application you can register a SIM card, recharge your account, change the tariff plan.

If you do not want to waste time looking for official stores of local operators, use a virtual eSIM card, which is supported by most modern smartphones.

Read also: What is eSIM: what it is for and how to use it

Best prepaid SIM cards in Thailand

Mobile internet prices in Thailand vary depending on the operator. While internet speed and prices are roughly the same from all local operators, coverage and connectivity vary.

Yesim

The best prepaid data SIM cards in Thailand first of all are those, connection and activation of which do not require any documents. Favorable data plans have a eSIM service provider Yesim, which works with virtual eSIM cards.

Yesim offers the following cell phone plans for touristsin Thailand:

• 500 Mb for 7 days at the price of 9 EUR;
• 5 GB for 15 days at the price of 13.50 EUR;
• 10 GB for 30 days at the price of 29 EUR;
• 20 GB for 30 days at the price of 35 EUR.

The main convenience of eSIM technology is that you can activate the option, connect to the provider and replenish your account even before you fly to Thailand. Therefore, activating an eSIM card is a good option for tourists instead of a Thai SIM card and its associated costs.

Before activating the option, we recommend checking if your smartphone supports eSIM technology.

Read also: SIM vs eSIM: what are the differences and which is better

AIS

This mobile operator in Thailand provides 3G and 4G mobile services. It is considered the largest provider of voice and data services with the best coverage.

Buying a prepaid SIM card in Thailand is a good choice for travelers who need maximum coverage and reliable service. The 43.52 Mbps speed is the fastest in Thailand. But also AIS offers the most expensive packages

The most popular AIS tariffs are:

• 30 days — 1,250 baht;
• 15 days — 599 baht;
• 8 days — 299 baht;

It is important to top up the card on time. You can do this via mobile online banking, myAIS app (IOS/Android), a terminal, voucher or sales clerk in a store.

DTAC

Thailand's second largest mobile operator, offering voice and high-speed internet services. It has wide coverage, but it is concentrated in urban areas. These prepaid mobile cards in Thailand will only suit you if you plan to be in the city all the time.

DTAC is known for the high quality of its network and reliable service. This makes it a popular choice for many travelers.

Actual tariffs with good internet:

• 16 days, traffic volume 30 GB with maximum speed 299 baht;
• 30 days, 60 GB with maximum speed of 599 baht;
• 4 days, traffic volume 5 GB with maximum speed 149 baht;
• Pay-as-You-Go package — 49 baht.

Top-up is possible via mobile online banking, app, terminal, voucher or in-store merchant.

TrueMove H

The third Thai operator provides mobile and broadband internet services. It is known for its cheap tariffs and fast 4G network, its cards are the best prepaid SIM cards in Thailand. But the coverage is not of high quality. If you come to Thailand and do not travel outside Bangkok — this is an option, but it is better to choose a more reliable connection for excursions around the country.

There are many attractive cell phone plans for tourists, for example:

• Thailand Tourist Infinite SIM 8 days — 399 baht;
• Thailand Tourist Infinite SIM 15 days — 699 baht;
• Thailand Tourist Infinite SIM 30 days — 999 baht;
• Thailand Tourist Pay-As-You-Go 1 day — 49 baht;
• Thailand Tourist 16 days — 299 baht;
• Thailand Tourist 30 days — 599 baht.

These prepaid cell phone cards in Thailand are replenished in a standard way: scratch card, Truemove H mobile application (IOS/Android) on the company's website, through a terminal on the street or in any store.

To avoid wasting time looking for official stores of local operators, studying their eSIM data plans, it is easier to use a virtual eSIM card. You can connect to Yesim cellular service provider right in your smartphone in a matter of minutes.

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