Thailand SIM Cards & eSIMs: Tourist vs Long-Term
Landing without data? Here's exactly what to buy depending on how long you're staying.
Short visit (under 30 days)
| Option | Price | Data | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIS Tourist | ~299–599 THB | 8–15GB + minutes | Airport counters |
| dtac Happy | ~299–599 THB | similar | Airport / 7-Eleven |
| TrueMove H | ~299–599 THB | similar | Airport / 7-Eleven |
| Travel eSIM (Airalo etc.) | from ~$5 | varies | Online, before landing |
eSIMs cost slightly more but activate before you fly and skip airport queues entirely. Passport registration is legally required for all SIMs.
Staying months+: switch to monthly prepaid
Tourist SIMs are terrible value past week two. Regular monthly prepaid runs ~200–500 THB for 15–50GB+. Top up at any 7-Eleven with cash — no Thai needed — or via the carrier app. Keep the number alive during absences with small top-ups.
The long-termer setup most expats land on
- Main SIM with big data (~300–400 THB/month)
- Separate home fiber: 500–1000 Mbps for 500–800 THB/month (AIS/True/3BB) — better than hotspotting
- Old phone as backup SIM for 2FA numbers
Gotchas worth knowing
- Name-registered SIM required for banking apps — unregistered SIMs get deactivated and banks check name matches
- Coverage: all three networks are strong in cities; AIS slightly edges rural/island areas
- MVNOs exist but official brands' promos usually beat them anyway
Setting up life in Thailand? Continue to the bank account guide → · Cost of Living Calculator
Prices as of August 2026; promotions change constantly.