SIM Card Guides

How to buy a Thailand SIM card in 2025

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.

Buying a tourist SIM card in Thailand is one of the easiest and most popular ways to avoid international roaming charges, yet still get data in the country. However, with all major local cell service providers offering their own cards, which one should you choose?

Follow along to learn all about how to buy a Thai SIM card, as well as their plans, pricing, and features. We’ll also introduce you to Holafly — an international eSIM with unlimited data in Thailand and 200+ other destinations worldwide.

In this article

How much does a tourist SIM card in Thailand cost?

The price of a Thailand SIM card depends on the validity period and how much data you need. For most cards, prices range from 449 Baht (~US$13.85) to 1599 Baht (~$49.25). That said, AIS offers a cheap one-day tourist SIM with 1 GB of data for as little as 49 Baht (~$1.50) if you just need a quick way to get online as cheap as possible.

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 get your physical SIM card from online retailers like Amazon. Just make sure to leave enough time for delivery, as it may take up to a week or more for the card to get delivered to your door.
At the airport: There are 10 international airports in Thailand, and you’ll find SIM card shops 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 cell service provider stores in any larger city in Thailand. On top of that, Thailand SIM cards are also available in convenience stores such as 7-Eleven or 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.

Holafly eSIM for Thailand: Complete peace of mind during your stay

Holafly offers a simple and convenient way to stay connected. All Holafly eSIMs for Thailand offer unlimited data, hotspot sharing, and 24/7 customer support. This ensures you’ll never lose connection and will even be able to keep multiple devices connected at once.

Prices range from $1.55 to $6.90 per day, depending on the duration of your plan, with the best value for money offered for longer stays. If you plan on visiting several countries in the region, you can get an eSIM for Asia instead. This allows you to stay connected in 16 Asian countries without having to get a new eSIM every time you cross the border.

Traveling the world for a while longer? Holafly also has a pay-monthly eSIM subscription with Holafly Plans. It offers coverage in 170+ destinations with a single eSIM with prices starting at $49.90 per month. Use it to stay connected for as long as you need and simply cancel any time. No long-term contracts or cancellation fees needed.

Best Thailand SIM card: Top 3 options

If your phone doesn’t support eSIMs or you simply prefer using a physical Thai SIM card instead, you’ll be able to get one from local providers such as AIS, TrueMove H, or DTAC.

AIS (Advanced Info Service)

AIS (Advanced Info Service) is the largest 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 has six different tourist data plans, all available both as eSIMs and physical SIM cards. The prices range from 49 Baht (~$1.50) to 1599 Baht (~$49.25), depending on the validity period and how much data you need.

The cheapest plan is valid for one day and offers 1 GB of data with additional charges for calls. All other plans include unlimited mobile internet in Thailand and unlimited calls within the AIS network, as well as credit for local calls to other networks.

True

In 2023, TrueMove H merged with DTAC, creating True — the second largest cell service provider in Thailand. True offers three different tourist SIM plans, with prices ranging from 449 Baht (~$13.85) to 1199 Baht (~$36.95).

The plans are valid for either 8, 15, or 30 days, with each plan offering unlimited mobile data, unlimited local calls, and a 100 Baht credit for international calls. Since the features of all plans are identical, all you need to do is choose the validity period that matches your stay.

DTAC

While DTAC did merge with TrueMove H in 2023, the tourist SIM card options by DTAC still differ from those offered by True. The prices range from 449 Baht (~$13.85) to 1199 Baht (~$36.95), with validity periods of 8, 15, or 30 days, with unlimited data and unlimited local calls included in all plans.

Where it’s different from True, is that DTAC doesn’t offer credit for international calls but includes 30 minutes of calls to China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, India, South Korea, and Vietnam.

How to register your Thailand SIM card

According to Thai law, all SIM cards in the country must be registered. Thankfully, it’s a fairly simple process. When buying in physical stores, you’ll simply 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.

What is the best SIM card for Thailand?

AIS, True, and DTAC are the main cell service providers in Thailand, and they all offer pretty similar packages for tourists. Most plans include unlimited data, unlimited local calls, and some international calls with validity periods ranging from 5 to 30 days.

If you want more flexibility, you can get an eSIM for Thailand from Holafly. Choose any number of days from 1 to 90 and avoid paying for any time you don’t need. And with all plans including unlimited data and 24/7 support, you won’t have to worry about top-ups or losing connection.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth getting a SIM card in Thailand?

Yes, getting a local SIM card or an international eSIM in Thailand is usually cheaper than roaming in Thailand with your regular SIM card.

Can foreigners buy a SIM card in Thailand?

Yes, you can buy a SIM card and use your phone in Thailand with a local card. All you need is a valid passport for the SIM card registration process.

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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