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Mobile internet in Thailand: What is the best option?
There are many ways to get mobile internet in Thailand, and we will talk about each alternative so you can have mobile internet at all times.
August 24, 2023
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Many travelers describe Thailand as a paradise country, due to its beautiful beaches and views. So if you will be traveling to this country soon, to take a vacation or simply for work, then you must be wondering how you will get mobile internet in Thailand. It is very common to worry about our internet connection while traveling since it is the primary way to remain in contact with friends and family.
So today, we have taken it upon ourselves to answer this common question of travelers: How do you have mobile internet on your trip to Thailand? We will be telling you about the different alternatives so you can choose the best option. Read on to discover all the alternatives!
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Mobile internet in Thailand
Maintaining an internet connection on your travels is essential to use our phones abroad as you will need it to keep in touch with family, friends, and work. You will also need it to look up directions to your hotel, and restaurants or simply order a cab, among many other things.
Nowadays, it is very easy to get options to have cellular internet in Thailand. You can choose from a list of alternatives, which have different features and prices, so you can choose the one that best aligns with your needs. So through this article, we will be explaining to you the following five options to acquire an internet connection during your trip:
- Prepaid SIM card
- eSIM cards
- International roaming
- Pocket WiFi
- Free WiFi
Thailand mobile internet providers
Next, we will start talking about the above-mentioned alternatives, along with the internet providers with which you can acquire their service to have cellular internet in Thailand. We will discuss the costs of each option, their general features, and their advantages and disadvantages. Read on to learn more about it!
Prepaid SIM Card for Thailand
An International SIM card will always be one of your best bets to stay connected to the Internet during your trip. Similar to your cell phone, a Thailand SIM card, light in size and easy to use, is made to give you high-quality Internet.
This option tends to be somewhat inexpensive and easy to use. Also, there are several different ways to purchase one, either before your trip or through an online store. We like to recommend the Holafly store for their excellent service. On the other hand, you can also purchase your SIM card once you arrive in Thailand through physical stores of local operators such as AIS, Dtac, and TrueMobile H.
AIS Traveler SIM card
This operator, well-known in Thailand, offers a SIM card that offers data service for travelers. With this SIM card, you can connect 4G and 5G. Through their website, you can find information about their SIM for your trip.
Dtac Tourist SIM Card
At the same time, the DTAC operator offers good-quality coverage. However, it is vital to remember that it is designed for travelers, Their SIM card is called Happy Tourist SIM, and they offer different plan options.
TrueMobile H Tourist SIM card
This operator is well known in the country and its cards can even be found at the airport. However, in this case, it is better to bring it from your country and not put yourself at risk while you are at the airport.
International eSIM for traveling to Thailand
An international eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows you to activate a cellular data plan from a service provider without using a physical nano-SIM. These virtual cards are straightforward to acquire quickly from anywhere in the world.
Also, with eSIM for Thailand, you can keep your original phone number. As your phone becomes a dual SIM, you can recharge through top-ups and it is effortless to set up. These cards are a great advantage, as you will have internet access as soon as you arrive in Thailand, so that you won’t have any problems requesting services over the internet.
Holafy’s eSIM for Thailand
If you would like to purchase one of these eSIMs, we recommend that you do so through Holafly’s official website, choose the eSIM Thailand, fill in the purchase form, and in a couple of minutes, they will send you a QR code to activate the card. Among the characteristics of their plans, you can choose Any number of days between one and 90 days of use. Some reference prices are:
| Days of use | Amount of cellular data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Unlimited data | 6 USD |
| 5 days | Unlimited data | 21 USD |
| 10 days | Unlimited data | 37 USD |
| 15 days | Unlimited data | 51 USD |
| 20 days | Unlimited data | 62 USD |
| 30 days | Unlimited data | 75 USD |
| 60 days | Unlimited data | 107 USD |
| 90 days | Unlimited data | 139 USD |
Learn more about the advantages and disadvantages that you will get with this device.
Advantages of the Holafly eSIM for Thailand
- You purchase and immediately receive a QR code to activate the data plan.
- If you need to use your physical SIM card simultaneously, it is also possible with this eSIM from Thailand.
- Plans that can be customized to your trip
- You can keep your WhatsApp number. Then, you can continue to use this app.
- Unlimited data plans to always be connected to mobile internet in Thailand.
- Recharge through top-ups for more days of use.
- Holafly’s eSIM uses the Dtac and TrueMobile network, two of Thailand’s leading phone operators.
Some disadvantages of Holafly’s eSIM Thailand
- It’s an eSIM for cellular data only.
- It does not have its own number, so it is not possible to make calls or SMS.
- Another important aspect to consider is that not all cell phones are compatible with eSIM technology.
You may also be interested in how to stay connected on one of Thailand’s famous islands with a Phuket eSIM.
Roaming in Thailand with your local operator
Many travelers today still prefer to use their local carrier’s international roaming while traveling. The advantage of this option is that it is as easy to use. Just activate the roaming option or contact your operator to activate it. However, the disadvantage of it is that it can be quite expensive.
The reason why roaming is so expensive is that you will usually be charged per MB or GB used, so if you don’t keep track of your data usage, the bill at the end of your trip could be quite high. Below, we will tell you about two famous operators whose users can activate international roaming in Thailand.
T-Mobile USA
This company from the USA allows its users to use its roaming service in Thailand. You will be charged USD 15 per MB. But if you are subscribed to the Simple Gold plans you could have unlimited text and 2G data at no extra cost.
Telstra
If you are a user from Telstra, then you’ll probably be able to use the International Roaming Day Pass. The price for this plan of 500MB of data plus unlimited calls and messages is USD 10 per day. However, this plan is only compatible with Telstra cellular services on a postpaid plan. On the other hand, you could use the pay-as-you-go plan, the price of which varies depending on the destination, but it is usually around $3 per MB.
Pocket WiFi for Internet in Thailand
A Pocket WiFi is a device that gives you your own WiFi hotspot, which you can carry with you everywhere you go and connect multiple devices to it. However, its price tends to be higher than the other options, as you will have to pay for the rental, plus shipping to your location, internet service, and sometimes insurance for the device.
Travelers WiFi is one of the oldest companies offering Pocket WiFi. The weekly rental price is 73,4 dollars, and the service is unlimited. The company provides to ship its equipment to any country in the world. However, price variations range from $4,55 to USD 34,09, depending on the country of destination. Finally, the company charges 159,08 dollars to those who lose their equipment.
Cello Mobile is a company from the United States. For a week’s rental, renting a Pocket WiFi is $349.99, regardless of the traveler’s destination, and the service is not entirely unlimited. Shipping for Thailand can go up to 75 dollars. The last thing to mention is the penalty imposed by the company in the event of losing one of its devices, which is 75 USD.
Free WiFi
Last but not least, we bring you the cheapest alternative for cellular internet since you won’t have to pay a single dime for it. We are talking about free WiFi. If you don’t have a big budget for good Internet service in Thailand, you can go to the free WiFi points that you will find in hotels, restaurants, and even shopping malls in this country.
Although this option does not cost you any money, this would be an attractive rate if not because the connection you will access will not be ideal for things such as video calls, watching HD videos, or loading maps on Google Maps. In any case, accessing Wifi can help you perform simple tasks on your cellphone. Also, it is not a very secure option at all.
