Thailand: Best Travel SIM and eSIM Cards for Internet Coverage

Staying connected in Thailand is essential for navigating bustling cities, remote islands, and hidden cultural gems. Whether you're a tourist, digital nomad, or business traveler, having the best travel SIM card or eSIM ensures seamless internet access for Google Maps, food delivery apps, and keeping in touch via WhatsApp or LINE.

But with so many providers, how do you choose the best option for coverage, speed, and price?

I've tested multiple Thailand SIM cards and eSIM providers, analyzing their network reliability, data speeds, and cost-effectiveness. The country's top three mobile networks—AIS, TrueMove H, and DTAC—each offer prepaid SIMs with extensive 4G and 5G coverage. If you prefer an eSIM, providers like Airalo, Nomad, and Holafly offer instant activation without the hassle of a physical card.

To travel Thailand seamlessly with internet coverage everywhere, the best SIM card I used and would recommend is iRoamly Travel eSim Card.

iRoamly - #1 Travel Sim Card for Thailand (Network Coverage Everywhere)

Coverage matters. In Bangkok, all three networks perform well, but for rural areas or island hopping in Phuket, Koh Samui, or Chiang Mai, AIS generally has the edge. If you're on a short trip, tourist SIM cards from airports offer convenience, while long-term visitors may benefit from a monthly data plan.

In this guide, I’ll break down the best travel SIM cards for Thailand, including eSIM cards, comparing prices, coverage, and activation steps so you can choose the perfect option for staying online without interruption.

How to get internet in Thailand

It is becoming increasingly necessary to have a mobile connection to be able to move around Thailand. Whether it is to order an Uber/Grab, to check information about a restaurant, the weather forecast, to follow a route on Google Maps when you are riding a motorbike, or even to make calls.

Below we are going to tell you about the options for having mobile internet in Thailand , their advantages and disadvantages, and which Thai telecommunications operators are the most recommended for buying a local SIM card.

1. Buy an eSIM card before traveling to Thailand

This is an interesting option for short vacation trips (2 or 3 weeks) ideal for those travelers who do not want to complicate their lives. The best of all is that it will allow you to connect to the Internet in Thailand from the moment you unlock your mobile phone , since you will have installed it in advance, and therefore you will save yourself the hassle of searching, comparing and buying at your first destination.

As you can imagine, if you choose this solution it will be a bit more expensive than buying a local SIM card, but you will have unlimited data throughout your trip.

The company we have used on many of our adventures (including Thailand) is Holafly . They only sell eSIM cards now , as they speed up the purchase and installation process. As we said, they are virtual cards and therefore you will not depend on anything physical being sent to your home (this makes it possible to order from any country in the world , not just from Spain). When you make the purchase, you will receive an email with a QR code with the eSIM profile and you will have to install it before traveling.

→ Don't know what an eSIM is? We'll tell you here

This is the Holafly eSIM card for Thailand that we recommend. Remember that you have a 5% discount already applied in the link.

The price depends on the number of days you want to be in Thailand and they always offer unlimited data. If you are interested in this option, keep in mind that your phone has to be compatible ( here you can see which models are available ).

⭐ And be careful, because if your adventure includes another nearby country, you can opt for the Asia eSIM , which includes Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and many others.

best esim for thailand with unlimited data

Best Hotels

2. Which local SIM card to buy in Thailand

If you are going to be in Thailand for a long time and don't mind spending a few minutes looking for a shop, buying a local SIM card is the option to have internet in Thailand that we recommend. Following the merger of two large corporations, there are currently two large companies that offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists with internet and calls:

– AIS is Thailand’s largest operator and the industry leader, with constant investments in new technologies such as 5G. It offers the largest network with the best coverage, especially in rural and remote areas. However, it is usually the most expensive.

– True Move H merged with DTAC in 2023 and managed to create the largest telecommunications entity in the country, surpassing AIS in market share. This move has allowed True Corporation to expand its coverage and improve the quality of its services. True has always offered competitive prices (it is the one sold in all 7-Elevens in the country) and DTAC was recognized as the best in terms of customer service. So the merger seems interesting.

Actually, for tourists visiting Thailand, both AIS and True Move H are good options , with fairly wide coverage and offering SIM cards with specific packages for travelers. These plans are valid only for a limited period of days (1, 2 weeks, 1 month or several months) and are usually more expensive than the rates for Thais themselves, but the prices are still very good.

So, if this is your chosen option, our advice is to compare the prices offered at the points of sale and choose the most competitive one. And if you only find one of the two companies, then go ahead.

Below you can find the coverage maps of these two main telecommunications companies in Thailand.

AIS Coverage map in Thailand

AIS-Coverage-Map-Thailand - Beachmeter

Ture Move coverage map in Thailand

TrueMove-Coverage-Map-Thailand - Beachmeter

✓ How much does a SIM card cost in Thailand?

Ok , so internet in Thailand is cheap, but how much will it cost me to buy a prepaid SIM card exactly? It basically depends on two factors : where you make the purchase and the type of plan. Buying at the airport is not the same as buying at a 7-Eleven, and choosing a plan for 15 days is not the same as choosing a plan for a month.

For your reference , here are the offers we found at Bangkok airport, an AIS store in Chiang Mai, and a random 7-Eleven on our last trip to Thailand:

AIS airport : 8 days + 15 Gb = 400 THB // 15 days + 30 Gb = 1,000 THB // 30 days + 60 Gb = 1,400 THB
AIS Store : 30 days + 30GB = 250 THB // 30 days + 80GB = 350 THB
True Move Airport : 8 days + unlimited = 450 THB // 15 days + unlimited = 700 THB // 30 days + unlimited = 1,200 THB
True Move 7-Eleven : 30 days + unlimited = 350 THB // 30 days + 15 Gb = 250 THB.
These rates are subject to availability and specific promotions. We are not responsible if they are not the ones shown in the article. For example, we asked at an official True store and they didn't sell us anything.

Top Hotels

✓ Where to buy a SIM card in Thailand?

As a tourist in Thailand, there are several options for buying a SIM card, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The most convenient and immediate option is to buy it at the arrival airport , where the main operators have kiosks in the arrival areas. You will have the SIM as soon as you land (although you may have to wait in line) and the staff is fast and efficient, however the price at these points is usually a little higher than in other places.

Another alternative is to go to an official store of the operator, located in shopping malls and central areas of cities. There you can find a greater variety of plans, including cheaper local options that are not always available at the airport. The staff is also specialized and less reticent to show the best options according to the needs of the traveler. The major disadvantage is that you will have to look for the specific store and you will be disconnected for a while.

Finally, there are always the 7-Eleven stores , spread throughout the country. Here they sell SIM cards with different plans at more affordable prices than at the airport. But BE CAREFUL, because some of these plans are special for tourists (much more expensive) and others for Thais, but you can also use them. So ask for the cheapest ones. The worst thing is that the store staff is not specialized and, although they can help with the activation, they are not always trained to do so, to which is added the language barrier that is sometimes a little desperate.

Important : Please note that the 7-Elevens at Suvarnabhumi Airport do NOT sell cheap True Move cards, but rather tourist cards at the same price as at the company stands.

In all cases, you will need to have an unlocked phone and bring your original passport for registration.

As for payment, we recommend that you bring a special card for travel, such as the Revolut card , which will help you avoid paying commissions when paying in foreign currency ( €10 promo from our link ).

Before you leave, check that the SIM card has been activated and that the data package corresponds to the one you have paid for, by checking the “remaining data” using the corresponding code.

Take out IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here . Whatever your destination, save yourself trouble and don't take any chances.

How to get internet in Thailand

Best Luxury Hotels

eSIM VS local SIM card in Thailand

To summarise, let's compare the two main options for having internet in Thailand and see what their major advantages and disadvantages are:

+ The eSIM can be purchased from anywhere in the world and without the need for documentation.

+ The purchase, installation and activation process is fast and takes just a few minutes.

+ In addition, Holafly provides a full refund if you do not end up taking the trip (6 months from purchase).

+ With the eSIM you will have an internet connection on your phone when you land in Thailand.

+ The data is unlimited, so you don't have to worry about monitoring your usage or recharging.

+ In both cases you can use WhatsApp or Telegram normally and without any extra costs or settings.

+ If your phone is dual SIM, you can continue using your usual number (receive calls and SMS) with both the eSIM and the local SIM.

– Not all phone models have an integrated eSIM, although newer ones are adapted to this technology.

– The price of eSIM is higher compared to local SIM card.

– The local SIM allows you to share the connection without limits, while the Holafly eSIM “only” allows you to share 500 Mb per day with other devices.

– With the local SIM card you can make national calls (depending on the plan, sometimes with unlimited minutes), while the eSIM does not allow this.

Frequently asked questions about the internet in Thailand

We conclude our guide on how to have internet in Thailand by answering some general questions that may come to mind when planning your trip:

› What is the best SIM card in Thailand?

Both AIS and True Move are good options. We have used both of them on all our trips, as well as the Holafly eSIM, and we have never had serious coverage problems.

› Where can I buy a SIM card in Thailand?

In the arrivals halls of the main airports in Thailand (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, etc.) there are counters of the 2 operators, with rates for tourists. You can also do it in official stores located in shopping centres or in 7-Eleven stores, in these two cases accessing reduced prices.

› How much does a SIM card cost in Thailand?

The price depends on the length of your trip, the amount of data you have purchased, and where you buy it. At the airport, expect to pay around 700-1000 THB for a 15-day plan and 1,200-1,400 THB for a 30-day plan. If you buy the SIM card from an official store at a 7-Eleven, it can be significantly cheaper.

› What is the best eSIM for a trip to Thailand?

You can buy an eSIM card before traveling to Thailand and install it in your phone to get internet faster and easier. But keep in mind that this solution is a bit more expensive. We recommend the Holafly eSIM card for Thailand .

Here we have explained which SIM card to buy in Thailand , the companies, where to buy it and which is the best eSIM for Thailand . We hope it can help you on your trip and if you have any questions or recommendations, you know: leave a comment!

Best Boutique Hotels