5 Best SIM Cards for Thailand in 2024

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If you want to buy a SIM card for Thailand, you should know that there are several options to choose from. I know that planning a trip can be overwhelming, so in this guide, I’m sharing the best Thailand SIM cards to help you out.

Having access to the Internet while traveling is super useful, as you can look up directions, nearby attractions, reviews, and more. For our trips, we always purchase an Holafly eSIM so we can update our Capture the Atlas social networks and keep up with the blog.

Plus, this eSIM for Thailand is completely digital, so it takes just a few minutes to install and activate. It also offers unlimited data, so we can focus on more important things like enjoying our trip. If, after reading this article, you decide this Thailand eSIM card is perfect for you, don’t forget to take advantage of this Holafly discount and save some money.

Of course, there are other good travel SIMs for Thailand, so if your device isn’t compatible with a digital card or you want more options, keep reading. I’ve included the best local SIMs in Thailand as well as the physical card from SimOptions, which you can purchase before your trip.

How do SIM cards for Thailand work?

A SIM card for Thailand works the same way as any other SIM in your home country. If you get a physical card, you’ll be able to browse the Web and, in some cases, send texts and make calls to local phones in Thailand, depending on the plan.

How do SIM cards for Thailand work?

With a digital SIM like the Holafly eSIM, you’ll only have data, but I think this is more than enough for your trip. You’ll still be able to make calls by using mobile apps like Skype and WhatsApp, and you’ll be able to keep your home phone number. Just be aware that not all devices are compatible with virtual SIMs, so check your phone’s compatibility here before purchasing.

Installing a prepaid SIM card for Thailand is easy and will allow you to access the Internet in Thailand in just a few minutes. If you have the Holafly international eSIM, you just need to scan the QR code that gets emailed to you after purchasing. For physical cards, you must insert the card into your phone’s SIM card slot and activate it via SMS or call, depending on the company. If your phone doesn’t have a dual card slot, keep your original SIM card in a safe place so it doesn’t get lost while you’re traveling.

Thailand SIM card price comparison

To give you a better idea of the price for a Thailand SIM card, here is a comparison chart with the prices, plan durations, and gigabytes for the 5 best SIM cards in Thailand. I’ve included the Holafly eSIM and other physical cards such as the SimOptions SIM card and other local SIMs in Thailand.

As you can see, the only two options that offer Thailand SIM cards with unlimited data are the Holafly eSIM and the local SIM, TrueMove, and only for some plans. Keep in mind that you can’t order the TrueMove card until you arrive in Thailand, so it’s not my first recommendation, especially for short trips. Also, if your phone doesn’t have a dual card slot, you’ll have to remove your usual SIM card to install the Thai one.

If you’d rather have everything ready to go before leaving for your trip, and your phone isn’t compatible with digital SIM cards, consider getting the SimOptions card. This way, you can access the Internet as soon as you land in Thailand.

If you’re on a tight budget, the cheapest local SIM cards for Thailand are AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove, but you can’t purchase them until you’re in Thailand. For convenience and guaranteed high-speed data, I recommend the Holafly eSIM. You can buy it and install it before your trip and enjoy unlimited data without removing your phone’s original SIM.

Best SIM cards for Thailand

Now that you’ve compared the costs for a Thailand SIM card, I’ll share the pros and cons of each option.

I rely on the Internet for work, so I need a company that can guarantee high-speed data and a stable connection worldwide. That’s why I always get the Holafly eSIM. While it may be more expensive than the local cards, it’s super easy to install, and I can activate it from home. For me, it’s worth the extra cost not to have to worry about shopping around for the best deal on Thai phone cards when I could be enjoying my trip.

Plus, Holafly offers customer support in English, while most local Thailand SIM cards only have assistance in Thai. Still, if you want to purchase one of these cards, you can read about the best options below.

1. Holafly eSIM, the best SIM card for Thailand

First, the Holafly eSIM is the best eSIM for Thailand, thanks to its convenience and simplicity. It’s 100% digital, so it’s ideal for those who don’t have a dual card slot on their phone, or who want to set up their SIM before their trip.

To activate the Holafly card, simply open the email that gets sent to you after purchasing the eSIM. It’ll have a QR code, which you need to scan to start using mobile data.

While this is a super streamlined process, you should be aware that not all devices are compatible with this type of travel eSIM for Thailand. I always recommend checking your phone’s compatibility through this link before purchasing, although if you have one of the latest smartphone models, you should be fine.

Also, if you run into any problems, Holafly’s assistance team is available 24 hours a day in English, so you’ll always have someone to help you.

We used the Holafly eSIM for Thailand for one of our trips to Asia, and we ended up having a better Internet connection than our friends who bought a local SIM card for Thailand (I believe it was TrueMove). That said, what I value most about Holafly is that they offer unlimited data, so we’re always able to connect and stay on top of our work.

If you want this eSIM for travel to Thailand, I suggest taking advantage of the Holafly discount codes that can save you money.

2. SimOptions card, the best physical SIM card for Thailand

If you want to get everything ready from home, but your phone is not compatible with eSIM cards, then SimOptions is a great alternative.

Just remember that you must order your international SIM in advance since these physical SIM cards for Thailand take up to 3 business days to arrive at your home. Once you receive your card, just put it into your device to start using the data. And if you have any questions, SimOptions has a support team that is available 24 hours a day to help you out.

Of course, if your phone doesn’t have a dual SIM slot, you’ll have to remove your usual SIM card and keep it in a safe place while you use the Thai one. Another thing to keep in mind is that SimOptions only offers 14-day plans with 10 GB of data. To compare, the Holafly eSIM and most local SIM cards for Thailand have plans with more data at cheaper prices.

3. AIS, another good SIM card for Thailand

If you decide that you want a local SIM card in Thailand, then consider getting one from AIS. This is one of the most popular companies, offering 14-day and 30-day plans with a good amount of mobile data.

The biggest disadvantage of these cards is that you’ll have to wait until you’re in Thailand to get one. This means you’ll have to spend time buying a SIM card in the Thailand airport or at one of the local stores. This can eat up a lot of your vacation time, so it’s not ideal for shorter trips.

On the other hand, these local cards have an exclusive Wi-Fi network for customers, so you’ll always have Internet at important sites and tourist attractions. Just log into the network with your personal password, and you won’t have to consume your plan’s data.

To activate this card, you must call the AIS phone line and follow the activation instructions. I recommend doing this at the store you get it from since the instructions are usually in Thai.

4. DTAC, a Thailand SIM card for short trips

DTAC is another option is you want a prepaid Thailand SIM card from a local company. They offer shorter-term plans, so if you’re only going to be in the country for a few days, it’s a good option. That said, the prices are about the same as the other local companies.

You can buy a DTAC card from any official store or at one of their airport kiosks. It’s easier to find retailers in bigger cities like Bangkok, so if you’re going to a smaller town, you might have some trouble. On the plus side, this company has a customer service hotline that you can call for support in English, so if you run into any technical problems, you should be able to solve them quite easily.

5. TrueMove, a cheap prepaid SIM card for Thailand

Finally, the prepaid SIM card for Thailand from TrueMove is another popular option. Of all the local cards, this is my favorite since it offers a wide range of plans at affordable prices, and some of them include unlimited data.

Like AIS, TrueMove offers unlimited Wi-Fi, so you can consume a good amount of data during your trip. One of the downsides of TrueMove is that you must buy the SIM card in Thailand at one of the authorized stores. They’re also available in some subway stations, but it’ll still take you some time to find a store, make the purchase, and complete the activation process.

Where to buy a SIM card for Thailand

As you’ve seen, you can buy a Thailand SIM card online in your home country, or you can wait until you arrive at your destination. I prefer having everything ready to go before my trip, so if that sounds like you, I recommend getting the Holafly eSIM or a card from SimOptions.

Below, I’ll tell you how to buy your SIM card for Thailand, whether you’re doing it before your trip or after your arrival in Thailand.

Buy a Thailand SIM card in your home country

If you haven’t left for your trip yet, you can purchase the SIM online. With the Holafly digital SIM, you’ll receive an email as soon as you make the purchase, and if you buy from SimOptions, you’ll get the card delivered to your home within 3 business days.

Buy a Thailand SIM card in your home country

For me, this is the best option since I can install the card in advance, and if I have any problems activating it, I can sort them out before my trip. This gives me greater peace of mind when I arrive at the airport since I don’t need to worry about locating a store, installing a local Thailand SIM card, and navigating the language barrier.

Another great thing about buying a Thailand SIM card in advance is that I can start using my data immediately. This is useful if I need to call a taxi or Uber, or I need to access online maps.

Buy a SIM card for Thailand at your destination

If you’re already traveling and still need a SIM card for Thailand, you can still buy the Holafly eSIM. It’s totally digital, so once you purchase it, you’ll get an email with a QR code that you can scan to connect to the Internet.

The alternative is to buy a travel SIM in Thailand from one of the local companies. Make sure you go to an official store or authorized retailer, especially since there are lots of unauthorized stores and kiosks that may offer SIM cards with less data than advertised.

Whichever option you choose, remember to always check your phone’s compatibility in advance. In the case of Holafly, you can go through this link to see if you’re device will work with an eSIM for Thailand. For all other cards, you must check with the store.

How to activate a SIM card for Thailand

The process of activating a Thailand SIM card depends on which type of card you get. For example, with the Holafly eSIM, you just have to scan the QR code in your email to download the configuration. This will automatically activate the eSIM on your phone.

How to activate a SIM card for Thailand

For physical cards, insert the SIM into your device, then proceed with the activation process via SMS or call. If you’re getting a local prepaid SIM card in Thailand, I recommend asking the salesperson to help you activate it since the instructions are usually in Thai.

Also, consider whether or not your device has a dual SIM slot. If so, you can keep your usual SIM card installed, but if not, you’ll have to remove it so you can insert the Thailand SIM card. Keep your usual SIM card in a safe place so it doesn’t get lost or damaged during your trip.

Thailand SIM card compatibility and requirements

To use the Holafly eSIM, you must have a compatible device, which you can check here. Also, your phone must be unlocked and compatible with Thailand’s network frequency. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use any of the Thai SIM cards in this article.

If you’re buying your SIM card in Thailand upon arriving in the country, you’ll need to present your passport to the salesperson. Then, choose the data plan that best suits your needs and insert the SIM into your device. You’ll have to finish the activation with the specific telephone company for that card, so I recommend completing this process at the store.

Thailand SIM card vs. SIM card for Asia

Finally, if you plan on visiting more than one country in Asia like I did during my 20-day Southeast Asia trip, you may want to take a look at Holafly’s eSIMs for Asia. They work in over a dozen countries, including Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Philippines.

Thailand SIM card vs. SIM card for Asia

With the eSIM for Asia, you won’t have to purchase a new SIM card in every country you visit. Not only can this save you money, but it’ll ensure you stay connected throughout your trip. You can choose between 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30-day plans with unlimited data. You’ll have to decide what works best for you: a card you can use in every country you visit, or individual SIM cards you’ll have to buy at each place you travel to.

There is also the SimOptions card for Asia, which is a good option for those who prefer a physical card. So, go over your options and see which alternative is most useful for your trip.

That’s everything to know about Thai SIM cards, so now you can get Internet in Thailand during your trip. I hope this guide helped you narrow down your options and feel better prepared for your travels, but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below. I’d also love to hear about your experience using any of these Thailand SIM cards for tourists.

Until then, stay safe and enjoy your trip!