✅ Updated on 07.11.2025
Mobile Operators in Thailand
There are three main mobile operators in Thailand: True, AIS, and DTAC. The most popular choices among both locals and tourists are True and AIS. DTAC, a subsidiary of Telenor and True, focuses more on tourists — they even offer an eSIM called Happy Tourist SIM, which includes 10 days of service and 50 GB of data. You can buy it online in advance through Airalo for just $10.
Which Mobile Operator Is Best in Thailand?
If I had to choose, I’d go with AIS — they offer the best network coverage. For example, when I was learning to scuba dive on Koh Tao, my True SIM card didn’t work there, but AIS had a reliable signal. (Here’s that story: Koh Tao Scuba Diving)
That said, if you’re not planning to visit remote islands like Koh Tao, any of the three operators will likely work just fine for your trip.
5G in Thailand
Yes, Thailand has 5G, and the speeds are impressive. In fact, using mobile internet here — especially on 5G — is a real pleasure.
The photo below shows the 5G internet speed I got while riding the metro in Bangkok.
eSIM for Thailand: Best Options for Tourists
All three major mobile operators in Thailand — True, AIS, and DTAC — offer eSIMs for tourists. You can buy them through several trusted platforms. Based on my experience, these three are the most reliable:
| Service | Validity | Monthly Data | Operators | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 3–30 days | 1–50 GB | True, DTAC | $4–27.50 |
| Trip.com | 1–30 days | 1–3000 GB | AIS, True, DTAC | $0.80–45 |
| Klook | 1–30 days | 0.5–50 GB | AIS | from $7.55 |
Best eSIM Deals for Thailand
After comparing prices and data plans, Trip.com offers the cheapest eSIMs for Thailand. Here are a few great options:
- $15 — 50GB for 30 days (link)
- $20 — Unlimited data for 15 days (link)
- $24.5 — 100 GB daily + unlimited local calls (30 days) (link)
If you’re staying for a shorter period, you can get an even better deal by choosing a lower-duration plan.
When I first visited Thailand as a tourist, I found that 2–3 GB per day was more than enough, especially with free Wi-Fi available in most hotels and public areas. Both AIS and True also provide free hotspots around the city, and your phone will connect to them automatically — saving your mobile data.
Buying a Thai SIM Card at the Airport
In addition to the online options I mentioned earlier, you can also buy a Thai SIM card at any international airport in Thailand when you arrive. While it’s convenient, keep in mind that SIM card prices at the airport are often higher than what you’ll find through online services or local mobile shops.
Here are examples of AIS Thailand tourist SIM packages commonly sold at the airport:
| Validity | Max Speed | Data | Price (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 days | 10 Mbps | 15 GB | 399 |
| 10 Mbps | 25 GB | 519 | |
| 10 Mbps | Unlimited | 619 | |
| 15 days | 4 Mbps | Unlimited | 699 |
| 10 Mbps | 15 GB | 799 | |
| 10 Mbps | 30 GB | 999 | |
| 10 Mbps | 100 GB | 1499 | |
| 30 days | 10 Mbps | Unlimited | 999 |
| 10 Mbps | 40 GB | 1199 | |
| 10 Mbps | 60 GB | 1399 | |
| 10 Mbps | Unlimited | 1799 |
Should You Buy a SIM Card at the Airport?
Honestly, I don’t recommend it. You’ll end up paying more for limited-speed packages that are often less flexible than what you can get online or in mobile shops. Unless you absolutely need mobile data the moment you land, you’re better off ordering an eSIM for Thailand in advance or picking up a SIM at a 7-Eleven or official AIS/True/DTAC store in the city.
Buying a SIM Card at 7-Eleven
You can buy a Thai SIM card at most 7-Eleven stores across the country. However, there are exceptions — some 7-Elevens inside airports don’t sell SIM cards at all. Also, the available packages can vary by location.
Here are some of the SIM card deals I’ve seen at 7-Eleven:
- 3 GB for 7 days (unlimited speed) — 49 THB
- 7 GB for 7 days (15 Mbps) — 49 THB
- 9 GB for 7 days (unlimited speed) — 99 THB
- 30 GB for 30 days (15 Mbps) — 199 THB
- Unlimited data & speed for 8 days — 399 THB
- Unlimited data & speed for 15 days — 699 THB
These plans are among the cheapest SIM cards in Thailand, making 7-Eleven a great option for budget travelers.
Buying a SIM Card in Thailand: What You’ll Need
To buy a prepaid SIM card in Thailand, whether at a 7-Eleven or a mobile shop, you’ll need to show your original passport. They’ll also take a photo of your face for SIM card registration — a legal requirement for all foreigners and locals.
Buying a SIM Card at Mobile Operator Shops
You’ll find official AIS and TrueMove stores in most shopping malls or large supermarkets like Big C and Lotus’s. These stores offer more flexibility and a wider selection of Thailand SIM card plans than what you’ll find at 7-Eleven or the airport.
For example, I currently use two SIM cards — one from True and one from AIS:
- My True SIM plan costs 200 THB/month and includes 50 GB at up to 15 Mbps.
- My AIS SIM plan is 300 THB/month, offering 20 GB at full speed + an additional 60 GB at 15 Mbps.
💰 Note on pricing: When buying a SIM card or mobile data package directly from a mobile operator, keep in mind that prices are listed without VAT. You’ll pay an extra 7% VAT on top of the displayed price — this is standard across Thailand.
✅ If you run out of mobile data, you can buy extra packages in your mobile operator’s app.
Best SIM Card Deals in Thailand: Where Locals Buy
Surprisingly, the best SIM card deals in Thailand aren’t found at mobile shops, 7-Eleven, or even through official mobile apps. Instead, they’re available on local online marketplaces like Shopee and Lazada — that’s where many locals and long-term expats shop.
Real examples from Shopee:
- True (Annual Plan) — 100 GB/month at unlimited speed for 2,437 THB/year
- AIS — 1000 Mbps, 100 GB/month for 399 THB/month
- DTAC — 1000 Mbps, 140 GB/month for 399 THB/month
A friend of mine ordered one of these SIMs. It was delivered right to his condo. After that, he went to the nearest mobile shop to activate it using his passport — a quick and simple process.
Home Internet in Thailand
Home internet in Thailand is fast and affordable. You can typically choose between speeds of 500 Mbps and 2000 Mbps, depending on your needs.
You can set up home internet in two ways:
- By visiting a mobile operator’s store (True, AIS, or DTAC)
- Occasionally, through operator booths located inside your condo building — though this is less common
My Home Internet Plan Example
I once had a one-year plan from True, costing 600 THB/month, which included:
- Unlimited home internet at 500 Mbps
- 20 GB of mobile data per month at full speed
Other mobile providers like AIS and DTAC offer similar pricing and speeds, so you can choose based on coverage and convenience.
FAQs
Most Thai SIM cards are prepaid, which means once your data plan expires, you’ll no longer have internet access — but the SIM card itself remains active for a while. The exact validity period can be checked in your mobile operator’s app. You can either choose a new plan or top up your balance to continue using the same SIM.
Only if you’ve enabled international roaming. By default, Thai SIM cards won’t work outside the country. To activate roaming, you’ll need to visit a mobile operator shop (AIS, True, or DTAC) and request the service.
No worries. If you run out of data, you can easily buy additional data packages through your mobile provider’s app. The process is fast, intuitive, and available for all major operators: AIS, True, and DTAC.
