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Will my phone work in Thailand? A US guide
Can you use your cell phone in Thailand? Learn how to check if it's available to use abroad and find the best connectivity alternative for your trip.
Are you traveling to Thailand from the US and wondering if your phone will work there? The short answer is yes, but you need to know plenty of things about your phone, mobile provider, or the service you prefer to stay connected to while traveling.
With our guide, you’ll know how your phone will work in Thailand and choose which service is the best for your trip and your budget!
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Can I use my US cell phone in Thailand?
Yes. Your US cell phone should work in Thailand. However, you need to ensure your phone is unlocked to avoid connectivity issues while abroad.
If your phone is unlocked and ready to use abroad, you need to choose which way is the best one to stay connected in Thailand. So, let’s see if it’s better to use an eSIM, SIM card, or data roaming on your trip.
How to get cell service in Thailand?
Before discussing the ways you can get a strong cell service in Thailand, you need to check if your phone is compatible and unlocked to use international mobile networks.
Check if your phone is compatible with local networks
Compatibility with local networks is the main answer to the “Will my phone work in Thailand?” question.
In Thailand, there are four cell phone carriers: AIS, True, DTAC, and TOT Mobile. The first thing is to ensure your phone works with Thailand’s frequency bands, which are the sets of frequency ranges each cell phone carrier uses, and that might vary depending on which provider you use back at home.
These are the frequency bands Thailand mobile carriers work with:
| Carrier | Mobile networks | Frequency bands |
| AIS | 2G/3G/4G/5G | 900 MHz (E-GSM), 1800 MHz (DCS), B1 (2100 MHz), B8 (900 MHz GSM), B1 (2100 MHz), B3 (1800 MHz +), B8 (900 MHz), B41 (TD 2500 MHz), N41 (2500 MHz) |
| True | 2G/3G/4G/5G | 900 MHz (E-GSM), 1800 MHz (DCS),B1 (2100 MHz), B5 (850 MHz),B1 (2100 MHz), B3 (1800 MHz +), B8 (900 MHz), B41 (TD 2500 MHz), N41 (2500 MHz) |
| DTAC | 2G/3G/4G | 900 MHz (E-GSM), 1800 MHz (DCS), B1 (2100 MHz), B5 (850 MHz), B1 (2100 MHz), B3 (1800 MHz +), B40 (TD 2300 MHz) |
| TOT | 2G/3G/4G/5G | 900 MHz (E-GSM), 1800 MHz (DCS),1 (2100 MHz), B5 (850 MHz),B8 (900 MHz GSM), B1 (2100 MHz), B3 (1800 MHz +), B8 (900 MHz), B40 (TD 2300 MHz), B41 (TD 2500 MHz) |
So, as long as your cell phone connects to these networks in Thailand, getting an internet connection won’t be a problem.
Check if your phone is unlocked
If you bought your phone in the US, specifically from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, it could be locked for international use.
The fastest way to check if your phone is unlocked to work in Thailand is to introduce a new SIM and check if it works. Another option is to contact your service provider so they can check if your phone is unlocked.
Lastly, you can do this to check manually on Android and iOS:
- Android: Go to “Networks or Connections” and press on “Automatically select network”. If your phone is unlocked, you’ll be able to choose a different network from your service provider. Note: This process might vary depending on your device.
- iOS: Go to “General” and then “About”. There, press on “Carrier lock” and if the message “No SIM restrictions” appears, you can use it internationally.
Will my local internet work in Thailand?
In most cases, you’ll be able to use international roaming services provided by your local network carrier while in Thailand.
The majority of US or UK providers offer international roaming passes or promote pay-as-you-go usage fees. These allow you to connect to Thai networks to send text messages, make phone calls, and use mobile data – but this comes at a cost!
Does AT&T work in Thailand?
Yes, AT&T works in Thailand. This US carrier offers users two roaming plans to use your cell phone in Thailand,
- Daily Pass: For $12 USD/day, you can get unlimited data, phone calls, and text messages in Thailand with the Daily Pass.
- Pay-as-you-go: This option offers text messages for $0.50, phone calls for $3 per minute and data for $2.05 per MB.
Does Verizon work in Thailand?
As a second option, we have Verizon from the US. Similar to AT&T, there are two options for using your mobile phone in Thailand.
- Daily pass: With Verizon’s TravelPass, you get unlimited data, text messages, and phone calls for $10/day.
- Pay-as-you-go: With pay-as-you-go roaming fees, you’ll pay $2.99/minute for phone calls, $0.50 per sent message, and $2.05 per MB consumed.
Does Vodafone work in Thailand?
For UK Vodafone users, there are two different roaming plans: pay-monthly and pay-as-you-go.
- Pay monthly: Since Thailand is located in the roaming Zone D, you’ll be charged £7.39 (~$9.64 USD) daily to stay connected using your local data allowance in Thailand.
- Pay-as-you-go: This option allows you to use your cell phone in Thailand at rates of £0.60 (~$0.78) per phone call, £0.08 (~$0.10) per text message, and £0.12 (~$0.16) per MB.
How to stay connected in Thailand
While you can use your usual phone contract to get mobile internet in Thailand, there’s a small detail: the price is quite high, especially for pay-as-you-go rates.
Thankfully, there are different alternatives to using your cell phone in Thailand, such as an eSIM, local SIM cards, pocket WiFi, and free WiFi. So, let’s see what each one offers.
eSIM
One of the main alternatives is to use eSIMs for Thailand. These work with local networks, so ensure your phone is eSIM-compatible before getting one.
While there are different international eSIM providers to choose from, Holafly stands out by providing a range of additional features and benefits.
With Holafly, you’ll get an eSIM for Thailand that includes unlimited data throughout your trip while accessing local 5G networks with True.
Plus, Holafly plans start at $5.90 USD, and get cheaper the more days you choose. For example, if you’re a long-term traveler who stays for 90 days in Thailand, you’ll pay $1.54/day for your eSIM!
Here are some additional features you’ll also get with Holafly:
- Data sharing for up to 500 MBs per day
- Easy purchase process through the website or app
- Only requires a QR code to install the eSIM, and iOS users get automatic installation
- 24/7 customer service through different channels and in 19 languages
- 5G coverage in the main Thailand destinations
Local SIM cards
Another alternative to using your mobile phone in Thailand is a Thai SIM card, which you can get at the airport or local stores during your trip.
AIS, True, DTAC, and TOT Mobile have different kiosks and stores within the Suvarnabhumi Airport, where you can purchase a tourist SIM card.
If you prefer to wait after leaving the airport, stores like 7-Eleven and Lotus Express are your go-to options. There, you’ll find tourist SIM cards from local carriers. You can also visit local carriers’ official stores, where you can get your local SIM card.
Data roaming
We’ve already discussed data roaming in Singapore, but it’s still worth mentioning in case you have a different mobile carrier, such as Three UK, Rogers US, Orange, and others.
This option allows you to use your local data allowance or pay-as-you-go rates, but there’s a downside: it’s one of the most expensive options, as you’ll pay around $8 to $10 USD per day for the data roaming service.
Pocket WiFI
Another alternative to getting internet access while traveling is pocket WiFi in Thailand. Depending on the company you choose, you can either rent or purchase these devices.
Either way, renting or purchasing a pocket WiFi is pretty expensive. Purchasing one can cost up to $300 while renting can cost up to $100 USD per week without adding the delivery fee and any add-ons you take.
Also, with a pocket WiFi, you’ll be limited in how much high-speed data you can use, as these plans range from 1 to 3 GB per day, with unlimited data capped at 256/512Kbps.
Free WiFi
One way to use your phone in other countries is through free Wi-Fi, but even in touristy areas of Thailand, this is not the most reliable option.
Free WiFi is accessible to everyone, meaning your smartphone won’t be safe, and that includes your personal information. So, try to use it only when you truly need it, and avoid entering personal/financial information while connected to one.
Tips to use your cell phone in Thailand
Traveling and using your cell phone in Thailand shouldn’t be complicated, but there’s always some room for some top tips and tricks to get the most out of your data service while abroad!
- Think about which service you want to use based on your needs and budget. While data roaming will give you text messages and phone calls, mobile data is expensive compared to an eSIM.
- Choose a service that gets cheaper the longer you stay, such as international eSIM.
- Think if you truly need phone calls. You can avoid additional fees using VoIP apps with unlimited data eSIM.
- Don’t rely on using your cell phone with free WiFi in Thailand. While it can help you save money, it endangers your phone and privacy.
- Don’t wait until you arrive in Thailand to choose which service to use; it’s better to choose an international plan before traveling so you can get mobile internet as soon as you arrive.
Stay connected with Holafly
Up to this point, we’ve seen different alternatives to using your cell phone in Thailand, but it’s fair to say the best one is the Holafly eSIM.
With unlimited data, high-end customer support, a 5G connection with True network, data-sharing, and other features, it is a clear favorite for hassle-free connectivity in Thailand.
So, get ready for your trip with the Holafly Thailand eSIM, and forget about expensive roaming fees and data limits!
FAQs
Yes. You can get a roaming data package or use the pay-as-you-go fees to use T-Mobile in Thailand.
