Going on a trip is the way to get rid of your phone addiction. Wonderful right? Nothing at all for a while! But we must honestly admit that the internet has saved us several times from getting lost and hungry. Fortunately, a Thai SIM card is easily arranged and it is also cheap. In this blog, you will read all about Thai providers, where to buy a Thai SIM card and how to top it up.
General information on Thailand
Are you working on a travel plan for Thailand? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and transport to and in Thailand.
Thai providers: which one do you choose?
In Thailand, there are three major mobile providers that all offer a subscription-free Tourist SIM card. These three major Thai providers are AIS, DTAC and Truemove H.
These providers offer similar packages with good coverage, reasonable speed and good prices. You can choose from packages for 7, 15, 30 days or longer. So you have plenty of choice!
Tip: We used DTAC during our trips to Thailand. Everything was quickly arranged and we experienced no problems at all
What does a SIM card cost in Thailand?
A tourist SIM card costs between THB 400 and THB 1300 (about €10 to €35). The price depends on the number of days the SIM card is valid, the number of GB, the internet speed and the number of call minutes. So choose a sim card that best suits your travel plans.
We bought a DTAC package of 799 THB (about €21) for 30 days and then created a hotspot if the other person also needed internet.
How and where to buy a Thai SIM card?
The above-mentioned Thai providers offer their SIM cards in all sorts of places around the country. For instance, you can buy them at small street stalls, in supermarkets like 7-Eleven and Family Mart, or in telecom shops. Just keep in mind that not every location offers all providers. Some shops work with fixed contracts or have exclusive partnerships, so your favourite provider or subscription may not be available where you are.
1. Buy a Thai SIM card in the Netherlands (before departure)
Yes, you read that right! You can buy a Thai SIM card before you leave! Personally, we never choose this option but web shops like Amazon offer you options from almost all providers. This way, you can choose a SIM card that suits your travel plans at your leisure! It is a bit more expensive but then you will be online as soon as you step off the plane.
A big advantage of this is that when you arrive in Thailand, you don't spend time picking up or searching for a SIM card. You are instantly reachable and can, for example, immediately book a taxi via Grab or contact your accommodation.
Please note: Not every foreign SIM card works immediately without problems in your phone. Therefore, check carefully whether your phone is SIM-free and whether the SIM card is suitable for the type of network in Thailand.
Great alternative: eSIM for Thailand
Another option is to buy an eSim before you leave! This is mega convenient and you no longer need to buy or install a physical SIM card. You activate an eSIM digitally and it is online within minutes. The price is sometimes a bit higher but it is super convenient and easy!
We ourselves have heard many positive things about Airalo, a popular provider of eSIMs for travellers.
Speaking of making purchases online, a Lonely Planet not missing. Even though we discover many tips & tricks ourselves or read about them on other blogs, it's nice to take a Lonely Planet with us. It has taken us to many cool restaurants & it just looks great on your bookshelf!
2. Buying a Thai SIM card at the airport
If you arrive in the morning or afternoon, you can easily score a SIM card in the arrivals hall. In fact, at the larger Thai airports you will find several kiosks and shops where you can buy a SIM card right after landing. Despite the fact that the queues sometimes seem long, it is easily arranged. Besides, the staff will help you with the installation. Super convenient, because then you know immediately whether it works. Are you handy yourself or have you done this several times? Then walk past the queue and get your SIM card from one of the vending machines in the baggage hall.
Do note that prices at the airport tend to be slightly higher than in the city. So it is mainly a convenient option for those who want to be directly accessible, but are willing to pay a little more for it.
Tip: Only tourist (traveller) packages are offered at the airport. For most of you, this will be sufficient. Will you stay in Thailand for more than a month? Then we advise you to go to a shop in the city. There you will have more choice.
3. Buying a Thai SIM card in the city
As we mentioned above, you can buy a Thai SIM card in many shops. Think of chains like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, telecom shops, or shops of AIS, TrueMove H and dtac themselves.
In that case, do bear in mind that you will not have an internet connection from the moment you leave the airport. This can be inconvenient if, for example, you still need to find your accommodation or want to book a taxi via an app.
Tip: Are you going to visit other countries in Southeast Asia after Thailand? Then it's useful to look for a SIM card that works in multiple Asian countries. With this, you won't have to buy a SIM card again in each country, ideal if you are travelling around the region. Again, eSIM from Airalo another good option!
How can I top up my Thai SIM card?
Did the consumption go a bit harder than expected after all? Recognisable! Fortunately, you can easily top up most SIM cards. Again, the easiest option is the local 7-Eleven. If you previously opted for AIS, you will have to top up online. You can do that here: https://myais.ais.co.th/login
At the 7-Eleven, you need to key in your mobile number on the ATM at the till. After this, the credit is automatically activated on your SIM card. You can find the number in your received text messages. At other shops, you get a receipt with a code that you can use to manually activate your credit.
Keep in mind that for internet you need a different bundle namely a ‘main-package’. It is best to check the website of the different providers for this. Upgrading is done with a code, but there are quite a few. Can't find it? Then give the Thai provider a call.
Top up by credit card
Codes for internet packages
Helcenter phone numbers
What should you look out for when buying a SIM card in Thailand?
If you want to stay connected during your trip through Thailand, it is smart to check carefully beforehand which SIM card is best suited to your situation. This is because there are a few important points to consider:
Note: Keep in mind that most staff in shops such as the 7-Eleven do not speak English well.
1. How does registering, activating and setting up a SIM card in Thailand work?
Make sure your roaming is off when you enter Thailand. This will prevent high bills from your Dutch or Belgian provider. In addition, do not forget your passport with you when you go to buy a SIM card. This is because anyone buying a SIM card in Thailand is required to register. After you receive the SIM card and insert it correctly into your phone, you can start using it immediately,
2. How much data do you need?
This is a tricky question to answer. For example, if you mainly use wifi and very little mobile data, then a small bundle will suffice. But if you navigate a lot, watch videos or work remotely, then a bundle with at least 4 to 8 GB for a 30-day stay is a good starting point.
3. Coverage and reliability
We briefly mentioned it above. Thailand has three major telecom providers: AIS, TrueMove H and dtac. All three offer good 4G coverage in the vast majority of the country. Value for money is similar, so the choice depends mainly on availability or personal preference.
4. Data usage, call minutes and validity
Validity: We recommend choosing a subscription based on the number of days you will be in Thailand. After that, it is useful to look at the number of call minutes and internet speed/amount. This is because most offers are not upgradeable until the validity of the subscription has expired. You usually have a choice of 7, 15 or 30 days.
Call minutes: When calling from abroad to the Netherlands, we actually always choose mobile internet apps such as WhatsApp. However, it is handy to have some calling minutes in Thailand so that you can make calls within Thailand as well. Ideal for hiring a taxi or making reservations at a restaurant.
Mobile internet & data usage: You have several options for unlimited internet in Thailand. Theoretically, these include subscriptions with unlimited internet. However, after you use up the few GBs of internet, the speed suddenly drops. So be careful because onlimited internet does NOT always mean unlimited & fast internet.
It can therefore be useful to see how much GB you consume. Fortunately, you can do this easily by selecting the following settings on your phone.
- Android: Settings - Networks - Data connection - Click on the dates to change the cycle.
- iPhone / iOS: Settings - Mobile network - Scroll down and choose ‘Reset data’ - Check your usage under ‘Mobile data usage’.
Tip: Do you really use little data in pairs? Then we recommend you take 1 subscription and occasionally open a hotspot for the other. This is easy, quickly arranged and you don't pay double!
Useful apps for in Thailand
We are happy to share a few more handy apps we use during our travels in Thailand. Trust us, these will only make travelling, negotiating or booking a hotel easier!
- Maps.me or Google Maps: For navigation (also offline!)
- Grab: Taxi & food ordering
- Booking.com: Booking hotels
- XE Currency: Currency converter
- Google Translate: For emergencies!
Games on the go
Are you going to tour Thailand? Super cool! Unfortunately, you will then have to take the occasional long bus journey. Scrolling alone on Instagram or Tiktok will also get boring! And... think of the GBs! Therefore, some more cool games that you can easily take with you. They are compact, cheap and provide a lot of fun. Besides, this is the ideal way to make friends.
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