SIM Card Guides

How to buy a Thailand SIM card in 2026

Looking to get a Thailand SIM card for tourists? Learn all you need to know about where you can buy AIS, True, and DTAC cards and the plans they offer.

Most travelers in Thailand get mobile data with a local tourist SIM from AIS, True, or DTAC, or with a travel eSIM. A Thailand SIM card is one of the most popular ways to avoid international roaming fees while still getting data in the country.

Follow along for tourist plans and prices, where to buy a Thai SIM card, and how to register it. We’ll also introduce you to Holafly’s eSIM for Thailand, with 5G speeds and unlimited data.

In this article

How much does a Thai SIM card cost?

The Thailand SIM card price you pay depends on the validity period and the carrier. Tourist plans from AIS, True, and DTAC range from 349 Baht (US$10.76) to 1,599 Baht ($49.28), and almost all of them include unlimited data. AIS also sells a one-day SIM with 1 GB of data for 49 Baht (~$1.50) if you only need a connection for a day.

How much is a SIM card in Thailand for a full month? Thailand SIM card prices 2026 for 1 month are level across all three carriers at 1,199 Baht (~$36.95) for 30 days of unlimited data. Since prices sit this close, the SIM card Thailand visitors choose usually comes down to calling perks and validity

What is the best SIM card for Thailand?

AIS, True, and DTAC all sell tourist plans with unlimited data and calling perks/ The best SIM card for Thailand depends on how long you’re staying and who you need to call. AIS has the widest choice of validity periods, from one day to 60 days. True adds credit for international calls, while DTAC includes call minutes to China, India, Vietnam, and several other Asian countries.

If you’d rather skip the airport counter, Holafly’s eSIM for Thailand lets you choose the exact number of days you need and set it up before you fly.

Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of November 5, 2026, and is subject to change.

AIS, True, and DTAC: Thai tourist SIM card plans

If your phone doesn’t support eSIMs or you prefer using a physical SIM, you can get a Thai tourist SIM card from AIS, True, or DTAC. The right SIM card for Thailand depends mostly on how long you’re staying and who you need to call.

AIS

AIS (Advanced Info Service) sells its Thailand SIM card for tourist use in six plans. Every plan except the one-day option comes with unlimited 5G and 4G data at max speed, unlimited AIS Super WiFi, and free calls within the AIS network.

1 day: 49 Baht (~$1.50)
5 days: 399 Baht (~$12.30)
8 days: 499 Baht (~$15.38)
15 days: 699 Baht (~$21.54)
30 days: 1,199 Baht (~$36.95)
60 days: 1,599 Baht (~$49.28)

The one-day plan gives you 1 GB of data at speeds up to 10 Mbps, with calls charged at 1.07 Baht (~$0.03) per minute. All other plans add a 100 Baht (~$3.08) bonus for calls to other networks in Thailand and international calls via 00300. Every AIS SIM card Thailand visitors buy includes data-free use of social apps like WhatsApp, LINE, and Instagram. All plans except the 60-day one are also available as AIS eSIMs.

True

True and DTAC belong to the same company and sell their tourist SIMs on one shared page. True’s Thailand Tourist Infinite SIM comes in three plans, each available as a physical SIM or an eSIM:

8 days: 499 Baht (~$15.38)
15 days: 699 Baht (~$21.54)
30 days: 1,199 Baht (~$36.95)

Each plan includes unlimited 5G data at max speed, unlimited WiFi, unlimited calls to all networks in Thailand, and 100 Baht (~$3.08) of credit for international calls. With identical features across all three, pick the validity period that matches your stay. True’s 30-day plan costs the same as the AIS one, so Thailand SIM card prices for 1 month are level between the two.

DTAC

DTAC’s Happy Tourist Infinite SIM has the same three plans and prices as True’s, from 499 Baht (~$15.38) for 8 days to 1,199 Baht (~$36.95) for 30 days. Each plan includes unlimited 5G data at max speed, unlimited WiFi, and unlimited calls to all networks in Thailand.

The difference is in international calling. Instead of call credit, DTAC includes 30 minutes of calls to China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, India, South Korea, and Vietnam. That makes DTAC a practical Thai SIM card for tourist stays that involve calls home to one of those countries.

Holafly eSIM for Thailand

Holafly’s eSIM Thailand plans come with unlimited data, 5G speeds, hotspot sharing, and 24/7 support. You pick the exact number of days you need and set up the eSIM before you fly or after you land, with no need to visit an airport counter or register your passport.

Heading on to Vietnam or Bali after Thailand? An eSIM Asia plan covers the whole route on one eSIM. Settling in for a few months, say working remotely from Chiang Mai? Holafly Plans bills monthly in Unlimited or Light, works in 160+ destinations, and ends whenever you cancel.

Holafly Ultra is a monthly plan that adds data privacy and real-life support benefits on top of your connection.

And if your Thailand days run out before your flight home, Always On: 1 GB of monthly backup data still covers messages and maps in 150+ destinations, at no added cost.

Where can I buy a SIM card for Thailand?

There’s no shortage of options for buying a tourist SIM card for Thailand, as you can get yours online, immediately upon arrival, or once you’re settled in. Let’s take a closer look at where you can get your SIM:

Online: You can order a physical Thai tourist SIM card from online retailers like Amazon. Make sure to leave enough time for delivery, as it may take up to a week or more for the card to reach your door.
At the airport: There are 10 international airports in Thailand, and you’ll find shops selling a Thailand tourist SIM at all of them, no matter if you’re arriving at Phuket, Bangkok, or one of the smaller airports in the country.
In Thailand: You’ll find carrier stores in any larger city in Thailand. On top of that, a Thailand SIM card for tourist use is available at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Lotus Express.
Buy an eSIM instead: If you want to save time and avoid queueing up for physical cards, you can buy an eSIM online instead. It only takes a few minutes to buy, set up, and activate your eSIM, allowing you to get online almost instantly. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone and an internet connection for the purchase process.

How to register your Thailand SIM card

According to Thai law, every SIM card Thailand carriers sell must be registered. Thankfully, it’s a short process. When buying in physical stores, you’ll need to provide your passport to the employee selling you the card. Upon doing so, the employee will either register the SIM for you or walk you through the process.

If you bought the SIM card online or in a convenience store, you can register it online:

Download the SIM card provider’s mobile app
Insert the SIM into your phone
Scan the code on the SIM card packaging to begin the registration process
Follow the prompts and enter the required details
Take photos of your passport to prove your identity
Take a selfie to prove the passport belongs to you
Confirm the information. Upon doing so, the activation should be complete

Alternatively, you can buy an international eSIM from Holafly instead. Holafly doesn’t require lengthy registration processes or proof of identity. Simply get your eSIM, activate it in minutes, and enjoy using local networks with a service tailored to tourists.

FAQs about Thailand SIM card

Should I get a SIM card in Thailand?

Yes, for most travelers. The answer to “do I need a SIM card in Thailand?” usually comes down to cost: a local Thailand SIM card or a travel eSIM tends to cost less than roaming in Thailand with your regular SIM. With Holafly’s eSIM for Thailand, you get unlimited data without a physical card to pick up.

Can foreigners buy a SIM card in Thailand?

Yes. Foreigners can buy a Thai SIM card for tourist stays at airport counters and carrier shops, with a valid passport for registration, and use their phone in Thailand. If you’d rather not queue for a physical card, Holafly’s eSIM for Thailand is bought online and installed on your phone in minutes.

Can I use an eSIM in Thailand with my current phone?

Yes, as long as your phone is unlocked and on the list of eSIM-compatible phones. Holafly’s eSIM for Thailand installs with a QR code, and your regular SIM stays in your phone, so you can still receive calls and texts on your home number.

Traveling to more countries in the region? Check out our articles on local SIM cards in:

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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