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How to buy a SIM card for Thailand in 2024
Heading to Thailand? Don't miss out on the opportunity to share your adventures with friends and family. Here’s everything you need to stay connected with a SIM card in the Land of Smiles.
Thailand offers something for everyone, from the bustling streets of Bangkok to the peaceful temples of Chiang Mai and the pristine beaches of Phuket.
You can explore magnificent temples, take part in vivid festivals, and dine on delicious Thai delicacies.
Sounds like something worth sharing, right?
This article covers everything you need to know about data-enabled SIM cards for Thailand, including which providers to go for, where to buy them, what plans are on offer, and how much it’ll cost you.
Keep reading to spend less time stressing about secure internet connectivity, and more time planning the trip of a lifetime in Thailand.
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Where can I buy a SIM card for Thailand?
If you’re planning to purchase a physical SIM card, then you’ve got two options: buying online before you travel or purchasing a SIM after landing at your destination.
Buying a SIM card for Thailand before you arrive
Travelers can buy a SIM card for Thailand from online stores, like Amazon. Providers offer a variety of SIM cards via the ecommerce platform that are tailored for tourists, allowing you to choose one based on your specific needs.
Buying a SIM card ahead of time removes the hassle of finding a data solution when you land, but you’ll have to pay for shipping and handling for the convenience.
You also run the risk of the SIM arriving after you’ve left for your trip—which isn’t much use when you need it to get connected. Consider these pros and cons when making your decision.
Heading to Thailand to start living your remote work dream? You’ll need more than just a SIM card—check out how to sort your Thailand Digital Nomad Visa, too.
Buying a Thailand SIM card upon arrival
You can also opt to purchase a SIM card once you’ve arrived in Thailand. If choosing this route, you’ve got two main purchase points to consider:
Airports
SIM cards are available at kiosks in major airports, allowing you to get connected shortly after you land.
However, you’ll be paying airport prices—which are typically higher than elsewhere. It’s convenient but pricey.
All three of the top SIM card providers for Thailand (which we dive into further down in the article) have a presence in Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the main airport in Thailand.
You can find AIS, TrueMove H, and dtac kiosks and stores near the luggage belts and baggage claim area.
You can also find larger counters for each of these providers in the arrivals hall once you’ve grabbed your bags and exited the baggage claim area.
All of these counters have signage indicating that you can purchase a Thai SIM card, so you won’t find it hard to spot them.
Local shops
You can also purchase SIM cards from local convenience stores (like 7/11 and Lotus Express) and mobile phone shops (from the aforementioned providers: AIS, TruMove H, and dtac) in the city.
However, purchasing from these outlets means you’ll be without an internet connection from when you disconnect from airport WiFi to when you find a SIM provider and plan.
Staff in local stores are also less likely to speak English, so you might need to brush up on your Thai if opting to buy local.
If you’re looking to take your travels further in Asia, take a look at where to get an Asia SIM card.
How much is a tourist SIM in Thailand?
The prices of a Thailand SIM card for tourists are typically between ฿50 THB to ฿600 THB (approximately $1.50 to $18 USD), depending on the package and data plan.
These usually include 1-10 GB of data with a validity of 7-15 days — with some including local calling minutes.
Best SIM card for Thailand
Before purchasing, compare data, calling, and SMS packages from different carriers to find the best option for your Thailand trip. Consider your travel length, data usage, and device compatibility.
Don’t forget to look into the provider’s coverage and network reliability, too.
Major providers in Thailand offer strong services in urban areas and popular tourist destinations, but if you’re planning to venture off the beaten path, it’s best to verify the network strength in those areas ahead of time.
Here are three of the best SIM cards for Thailand:
AIS (Advanced Info Service)
AIS (Advanced Info Service) is a telecommunications company in Thailand that provides some of the best prepaid SIM cards for tourists. It offers a wide range of services with high-speed internet coverage from 15-30 GB and international calls at ฿1 per minute ($0.03).
AIS offers the following:
- Pay-as-you-go: ฿49 ($1.48) for 1 GB of mobile data and international calls from ฿1 per min
- 8-day plan: ฿299 ($9.04) for 15 GB of mobile data and international calls from ฿1 per min
- 15-day plan: ฿599 ($18.08) for 30 GB of mobile data and international calls from ฿1 per min
- 30-day plan: ฿899 ($27.15) for 50 GB of mobile data and international calls from ฿1 per min
TrueMove H
TrueMove H is an affordable SIM card solution for many Thailand adventures. It has unlimited 5G data packages, good download speeds, and covers all of Thailand.
TrueMove H offers the following:
- 8-day plan: ฿499 ($15.08) for unlimited mobile data and ฿100 calling credits
- 15-day plan: ฿699 ($21.12) for unlimited mobile data and ฿100 calling credits
- 30-day plan: ฿1199 ($36.20) for unlimited mobile data and ฿100 calling credits
dtac (Total Access Communication)
dtac is a reliable mobile network operator in Thailand, offering a range of SIM card options to suit your needs as a tourist.
The network provides extensive coverage of reliable 4G and 5G speeds throughout Thailand, even reaching remote areas favored by tourists.
dtac offers the following:
- Pay-as-you-go: ฿49 ($1.48) for 1 GB of mobile data for 24 hours.
- Happy Tourist Infinite 8-day plan: ฿499 ($15.08) for unlimited 5G mobile data and unlimited calling within Thailand.
- Happy Tourist Infinite 15-day plan: ฿699 ($21.12) for unlimited 5G mobile data and unlimited calling within Thailand.
- Happy Tourist Infinite 30-day plan: ฿1199 ($36.23) for unlimited 5G mobile data and unlimited calling within Thailand.
- Happy Tourist 8-day plan: ฿299 ($9.04) for 15 GB of 5G/4GB max speed mobile data and unlimited calling within Thailand.
- Happy Tourist 10-day plan: ฿349 ($10.55) for 30 GB of 5G/4GB max speed mobile data and unlimited calling within Thailand.
- Happy Tourist 30-day plan: ฿599 ($18.10) for 50 GB of 5G/4GB max speed mobile data and unlimited calling within Thailand.
Looking specifically for the best SIM cards in Bangkok? Discover them here.
Consider an eSIM for Thailand as a great SIM card alternative
If you’re looking for convenience and flexibility, the best option is an eSIM for Thailand.
With eSIMs, you can purchase and activate your SIM card digitally, eliminating the need to hunt for physical SIM cards upon arrival.
They’re delivered instantly to your email, so you can stay connected from the moment you land in Thailand.
Holafly offers convenient eSIM options: a Thailand-only eSIM or a multi-country Asia eSIM. Enjoy fast eSIMs for over 200 worldwide destinations and multilingual customer support.
Your Thailand virtual eSIM card with unlimited data
With Holafly, you get unlimited data for as little as one day, to as long as 90 days. It’s the ideal solution for travelers in Thailand who need custom plans that suit their stay.
Prices start from as little as $5.90 per day:
| Days of use | Amount of data | Price (USD) |
| 1 | Unlimited | $5.90 |
| 5 | Unlimited | $20.90 |
| 10 | Unlimited | $36.90 |
| 15 | Unlimited | $51 |
| 20 | Unlimited | $61.90 |
| 30 | Unlimited | $74.90 |
| 60 | Unlimited | $106.90 |
| 90 | Unlimited | $138.90 |
Plus, enjoy the flexibility of sharing your data with up to five devices using Holafly’s tethering feature.
With 500 MB of shared data per day, you can stay connected and share your data with your travel companions too.
Enjoy your Thailand adventures with Holafly
For many, traveling to the Land of Smiles is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It’s a time to soak up the sights, dive into the culture, and enjoy exciting experiences. It’s not a time to worry about connecting to the internet!
While you’ve got plenty of options to buy a SIM card once you’ve touched down in Thailand—from AIS, TruMove H, and dtac kiosks at the airport to local convenience stores like 7/11—why bother with the hassle?
Especially when you can avoid it completely with a Thailand eSIM.
Holafly’s eSIMs are the perfect solution for travelers who value convenience, flexibility, and accessibility.
They’re quick and easy to purchase and activate, and ensure you’re connected within minutes of landing.
Internet access isn’t just about keeping your social feed updated on what you’re up to.
It’s about finding the quickest and safest travel routes, getting crucial information in a pinch, and keeping your loved ones in the loop.
Stay connected with Holafly, and get ready to make (and share) memories that will last a lifetime.
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Living in Romania's only coastal city, Constanta, Stefania Manea has been in the content marketing space for 9 years. She discovered her passion for writing while studying Maritime Engineering, which led her to switch her career path and join the marketing industry. Since then, she has relentlessly written copy and content for renowned brands in the B2B SaaS landscape, including MarkUp.io, Toggl, MarineTraffic, Route4Me, and Insense. She values creativity, loves horror novels, and occasionally believes in ghosts!
