Thailand SIM Card & eSIM Guide: Tourist vs Long-Term (2026)

How you should handle your phone and data in Thailand depends entirely on why you are here. A tourist spending two weeks on the islands needs something completely different from someone who just moved to Bangkok. I have been through both sides of this, and the advice you will find online rarely makes the distinction.

This guide is split into three sections: tourists and short-term visitors, people who are moving here or just arrived, and long-term residents. Jump to the section that fits your situation.

For Tourists and Short Trips (1-30 Days)

If you are visiting Thailand for a few days to a few weeks, you do not need a Thai phone number. What you need is reliable data so you can use maps, Grab, translate menus, and message people back home. The easiest way to get that is an eSIM you buy before you even board your flight.

Why eSIM Services Are the Move for Tourists

Services like Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad sell Thailand data eSIMs that you purchase online, install on your phone in seconds, and activate the moment you land. No SIM card swap, no finding a store at the airport, no passport registration, no language barrier. Your phone has Thai data before you clear immigration.

• Buy it before you fly. Install the eSIM profile while you are still on your home WiFi. It activates when you land.
• No store visit required. You do not need to find a SIM shop at the airport or in a mall. This alone saves you 30-60 minutes on arrival.
• Keep your home number active. Your regular SIM stays in your phone. Calls, texts, and iMessage all keep working on your home number while the eSIM handles Thai data.
• Works across multiple countries. If you are doing a Southeast Asia trip (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali), regional eSIM plans cover multiple countries without swapping SIMs at each border.

Without a Thai bank account, you will need a card that works well internationally for payments and ATM withdrawals. A Wise card gives you the real exchange rate and low fees, which saves you money at Thai ATMs that charge 220 THB per withdrawal for foreign cards.

Airalo (What I Recommend)

Airalo is the largest eSIM marketplace and the one I use when traveling outside Thailand. They cover 200+ countries with local, regional, and global plans. For Thailand specifically, their plans are straightforward and competitively priced.

• 1 GB / 7 days: $4.50 (light use, maps and messaging)
• 3 GB / 30 days: $11.00 (moderate use, social media and browsing)
• 5 GB / 30 days: $16.00 (regular use, some video streaming)
• 10 GB / 30 days: $26.00 (heavy use, plenty of data for most trips)
• 20 GB / 30 days: $42.00 (power user, streaming and tethering)

If you are doing a broader Southeast Asia trip, their "Asialink" regional plans cover Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and more under one eSIM. No need to buy a new eSIM at each country.

Holafly (Unlimited Data Option)

If you do not want to worry about data limits at all, Holafly offers unlimited data eSIMs for Thailand. No throttling, no data caps. You pay a flat rate for the number of days you need.

• 5 days unlimited: ~$19
• 10 days unlimited: ~$34
• 15 days unlimited: ~$44
• 20 days unlimited: ~$54
• 30 days unlimited: ~$64

Holafly is more expensive per day than Airalo, but the unlimited data removes any anxiety about running out. If you stream a lot of video, use your phone as a hotspot for your laptop, or just do not want to think about data usage, Holafly is the simpler choice.

Airport SIM (The Old School Option)

If your phone does not support eSIM, or you prefer a physical SIM card, the airport shops at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) sell tourist SIMs from AIS, True, and DTAC right in the arrivals hall. Expect to pay 300-600 THB for a 7-15 day plan with decent data. The staff will install the SIM and set it up for you. Bring your passport since Thai law requires registration for all SIM cards.

The downside of buying at the airport is the wait. After a long flight, the last thing you want is to stand in line at a SIM counter. The eSIM route avoids this entirely.

For New Arrivals Moving to Thailand

If you are moving to Thailand or staying longer than a month, the tourist eSIM services above are not enough. You need a real Thai phone number. This is not optional. Without a Thai number, you cannot participate in daily life here.

Why You Need a Thai Phone Number

A Thai phone number unlocks everything that matters for living here.

• LINE. Thailand's default communication app. Your landlord, building management, grocery store loyalty programs, restaurants, delivery services, and most businesses communicate through LINE. You need a phone number to create an account. I use LINE more than any other app.
• PromptPay. Thailand's national QR payment system. Linked to your Thai bank account via your phone number. Used everywhere from 7-Eleven to street food vendors. This is how most daily transactions work.
• Thai bank account. Banks require a Thai phone number for verification, OTP codes, and mobile banking. You cannot open a Thai bank account without one.
• Food delivery. Grab and LINE MAN both require a Thai number for registration and delivery coordination. Drivers call you when they arrive.
• Government services. Immigration check-in, 90-day reporting online, and various government apps all require a Thai mobile number.

LINE integration goes deep here. Villa Market requires you to join their LINE official account to sign up for their loyalty program. Your condo front desk will message you on LINE when packages arrive. Even restaurants take reservations through LINE. It is woven into everything. See my online shopping guide for more on how LINE connects to daily services.

Which Carrier to Choose

Thailand has three main carriers: AIS, True, and DTAC (True and DTAC merged in 2023 but still operate separate networks). I went with AIS and recommend it.

AIS has the best coverage and fastest speeds in Thailand. Think of it as the Verizon equivalent. They have the most extensive 5G network, the most reliable service in rural areas, and the best overall infrastructure. Their app is also the most polished of the three.

True is a close second and perfectly fine. DTAC is the budget option with slightly less coverage outside major cities. For Bangkok, all three work well. If you want the best overall experience, go with AIS.

What I Got: AIS 60-Day Tourist Plan

I went to an AIS store in person and signed up for the 60-day tourist prepaid plan. It costs 1,599 baht (~$51) and comes with everything you need.

• Unlimited 5G and 4G data at max speed
• Free calls within the AIS network
• 100 baht bonus for calls to other networks and international
• Unlimited AIS Super WiFi (auto-connects to AIS hotspots around Bangkok)
• Data-free social apps: TikTok, Facebook, LINE, Instagram, WeChat, WhatsApp, and X
• 60-day validity

At ~$51 for 60 days of unlimited 5G, this is excellent value. I was paying over $90/month for Verizon in the US with a data cap. Here I get unlimited everything for roughly $13/month equivalent.

AIS Tourist Plan Options

How to Get Your SIM (Step by Step)

Step 1: Go to an AIS store. There are AIS shops in every mall and most BTS stations in Bangkok. Skip the airport and go to a mall store (Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, EmQuartier, Terminal 21). Less crowded, less upselling, more time to help you.

Step 2: Bring your passport. Thai law requires passport registration for all SIM cards. The staff will scan your passport and take a photo. Takes a couple of minutes.

Step 3: Choose your plan. The 60-day plan at 1,599 baht (~$51) is the best value. Shorter plans exist if you are unsure about staying.

Step 4: Choose eSIM or physical SIM. If your phone supports eSIM, go with eSIM. No tiny cards, no ejector tools, and you can keep your home country SIM in the tray. The staff will scan a QR code to install the profile. Takes 2 minutes.

Step 5: Configure dual SIM. In Settings > Cellular, set your home number as default voice (for iMessage, calls home) and your Thai number as the cellular data line. All your internet uses the cheap AIS plan while your home number stays active.

The whole process takes about 15 minutes. You walk out with a working Thai phone number and unlimited data.

Setting Up Dual SIM (US + Thai Number)

If you are keeping your home country number active, here is how I configured my iPhone with both numbers.

• US number (Verizon): eSIM, set as default voice line. Calls, iMessage, and 2FA all go through this.
• Thai number (AIS): eSIM, set as cellular data line. All internet data uses the cheap unlimited AIS plan.

This setup means I am not burning through expensive Verizon international data. All my internet runs on AIS for about $13/month, while my US number stays active for two-factor authentication, iMessage, and calls from people back home.

Should You Keep Your US Number?

I have had my Verizon number for over 16 years. I still pay for it monthly, and it is worth it for a few reasons.

• Two-factor authentication. Banks, brokerage accounts, and dozens of services send 2FA codes to my US number. Changing this across every service would be a nightmare, and some services do not support international numbers.
• iMessage. If I transferred to Google Voice, I would lose iMessage and only have SMS. For me, keeping iMessage working with my existing number is important.
• Continuity. Everyone back home has this number. It just works.

The alternative is transferring your US number to Google Voice for a one-time $20 fee. You keep the number for SMS and calls over WiFi but lose iMessage and some 2FA systems do not work with Google Voice. Think carefully before giving up your carrier plan.

The Dual eSIM Travel Problem

When I traveled to Vietnam recently, I wanted to use Airalo for local data. With my US and Thai eSIMs both active, I had no room for a third. The solution: disable the Thai eSIM temporarily, activate the Airalo eSIM, and reverse it when you get back to Thailand. Quick but you need to remember to do it.

For Long-Term Residents

If you have been in Thailand for a while and are on the tourist prepaid cycle, here is what changes and what to optimize.

Renewing Your Prepaid Plan

You can renew your AIS tourist plan through the AIS app without visiting a store. The app accepts Thai bank cards and some international cards. When your 60-day plan expires, you pick a new plan in the app and your number stays the same. No interruption in service.

You can also top up at any 7-Eleven by giving them your phone number. This is useful for adding calling credit if you make a lot of calls outside the AIS network.

Upgrading to Postpaid

If you have a Thai work permit, you can switch to a postpaid plan. Postpaid plans offer better rates for the same data, more flexible options, and monthly billing tied to your Thai bank account. Visit an AIS store with your work permit and passport to switch.

The main advantage of postpaid is convenience. No more renewing every 60 days. Your plan auto-renews monthly and bills to your bank. AIS postpaid plans also sometimes include perks like Disney+ Hotstar and additional streaming services.

AIS Super WiFi

The 60-day plan includes AIS Super WiFi, which auto-connects your phone to AIS WiFi hotspots around Bangkok. They are in malls, BTS stations, coffee shops, and various public areas. Your phone sometimes jumps to WiFi in places where you did not even realize there was a hotspot. With unlimited data it does not matter much, but it occasionally provides a faster connection in crowded areas where cell signal is congested.

Internet at Home

Your mobile plan handles your phone, but for home internet you will want a separate broadband connection. AIS Fibre, True Online, and 3BB are the main providers. Most condos in Bangkok come pre-wired for one or more of these. Expect to pay 600-900 THB/month for 100-300 Mbps fiber. Your condo juristic office can tell you which providers are available in your building.

Internet costs are covered in detail in the cost of living breakdown.

Practical Tips

• Save your Thai number immediately. You will need it for LINE, banking, and dozens of signups. Add it to your contacts and write it down somewhere.
• Set up LINE on day one. LINE is how Thailand communicates. Your landlord, condo management, delivery services, grocery store loyalty programs, everything runs on LINE. Do not wait.
• Download the AIS app. Shows your remaining balance, data usage, plan expiry, and lets you renew without visiting a store.
• Top up at 7-Eleven. If you need calling credit for non-AIS numbers, any 7-Eleven can top up your balance. Just show them your phone number.
• Consider your eSIM limit before traveling. If you have two active eSIMs and travel to another country, you will need to disable one to add a travel eSIM. Plan ahead.
• Check your phone supports eSIM before the store. Most phones from 2022+ support eSIM (iPhone 14+, Samsung Galaxy S22+, Pixel 6+). Check Settings > Cellular before you go.

For more on getting set up in Thailand, see the Bangkok travel guide, bank account guide, and online shopping guide.