Prepaid SIM Cards for Thailand – Index
Thailand is a popular travel destination among foreigners and some even decide to stay here permanently.
If you plan to travel to Thailand, you’ll probably need a SIM card. Truth be told, most people communicate via applications such as WhatsApp and Line. At the same time, you can easily navigate the streets by using Google Maps, for example.
In this article, we explain how you can buy prepaid SIM cards for Thailand, about the different options, service providers, plans, prices, and more. First, let’s start and review the types of SIM cards that are available.
Types of SIM cards with data for Thailand
In general, you can get access to data connections in Thailand in three ways, namely:
- By purchasing a local prepaid SIM card
- Buy an international travel SIM card
- Use roaming via your subscription back home
Let’s review each option and how it works.
1. Local Prepaid SIM Cards
Going for a local prepaid SIM card is a common option and something that I usually buy when arriving in new countries. You can buy the SIM cards directly after arriving at the airport, or visit a shop once you’ve arrived in the city.
You can also purchase SIM cards online and before you go to Thailand. This is also convenient as you won’t have to spend time buying a SIM card at the airport or in a local store.
Websites such as Amazon and Simeasy have SIM cards for sale (more about that later) and it will be sent to your home with just a click.
2. International Travel SIM Cards
Travelers who plan to visit several different countries can be better off by going for a so-called international travel SIM card. These allow you to freely browse the internet in plenty of countries and sometimes in the whole world.
That said, you don’t necessarily need to have a SIM card that works globally, a few countries in Asia can also be okay. International SIM cards are generally more expensive compared to regular local prepaid SIM cards
Later in this article, we will present operators who offer both regular local prepaid SIM cards and international travel SIM cards, including their packages, how you can buy them, and the fees.
3. Roaming
Another option is to use your roaming to browse the net while overseas. People who are in great need of using the internet sometimes do this, despite the high cots. Business executives and managers also use roaming from time to time if their employers pay their phone bills.
That said, using roaming is expensive and not even accepted by some service providers. Before you travel overseas and plan to use roaming, be sure to check with your operator how high the costs are and if it’s even possible.
Local prepaid SIM cards in Thailand
There are various options available in Thailand, but below we have listed some of the top picks. Feel free to drop a comment below or send us an email if you recommend any other service providers in Thailand.
AIS Traveller
AIS offers various plans that are suitable for travelers that visit Thailand. Below I have made a summary of some of the most interesting plans, including the amount of data and the prices.
Traveller SIM – 160 Baht (USD 5.33)
- Data: 5 GB for 5 days and then down to 384 kbps
- Free Unlimited Social Apps for 5 days
- International calls starting at THB 1 per minute
This SIM card can be bought in AIS shops nationwide and also in mobile retailer shops.
Traveller SIM – 299 Baht (USD 9.96)
- Data: 8 GB for up to 15 days and then down to 384 kbps.
- Free Unlimited Social Apps for 8 days
- International calls starting at THB 1 per minute
This SIM card can be bought in AIS shops nationwide, in Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok), Samui Island, Phuket, Krabi, Family Marts, and more.
Traveller SIM – 599 Baht (USD 19.96)
- Data: 30 GB for up to 15 days and then down to 384 kbps
- Free Unlimited Social Apps for 15 days
- International calls starting at THB 1 per minute
This SIM card can be bought in AIS shops nationwide and also in mobile retailer shops.
Dtac
Dtac belongs to the major Norwegian telecommunications company Telenor, they run under the brand Digi in Malaysia as well. Being one of the biggest telecommunications companies in the world, they have plenty of packages and good deals on display.
Below I’ve listed some of their recommended local prepaid SIM card plans available.
Super Max-Net 29 Baht/Day
- Data: 1 GB valid
- Speed: 100 Mbps and then down to 64 kbps
- Price: 29 baht / day
- Validity: 24 hours
Super Max-Net 99 Baht/Week
- Data: 2 GB
- Speed: 100 Mbps and then down to 64 kbps
- Price: 99 baht / week
- Validity: Automatically renewed every week for 52 weeks
Super Max-Net 299 Baht/Month
- Data: 1 GB
- Speed: 100 Mbps and then down to 64 kbps
- Price: 199 baht / month
- Validity: Automatically renewed every month for 12 weeks
Super Max-Net 299 Baht/Month
- Data: 5 GB
- Speed: 100 Mbps and then down to 64 kbps
- Price: 299 baht / month
- Validity: Automatically renewed every month for 12 months
True
True is another big player in Thailand’s telecommunication market. The company managed Thailand’s biggest cable TV provider (TrueVisions) and the biggest internet service provider (True Internet).
Below you can find examples of packages offered by the company.
Hello SIM
- Price per SIM: THB 49
- Speed: 300 Mbps max speed
- Price per MB: THB 1.99
TrueMove H 4G+ SIM
- Price per SIM: THB 29
- Speed: 42 Mbps max speed
- Price per MB: THB 1.99
Sabai SIM
- Price per SIM: THB 49
- Price per MB: THB 1.50
For more information, check their website by clicking here.
Buying local SIM cards online
You can also buy a Thai SIM card online and receive it before you travel to Thailand. Amazon and Simeasy are two popular options and where you can find plenty of products.
Let’s start and have a look at some options available on Amazon.
Amazon
AIS Thailand Traveller SIM Cards 15 GB
- Company: AIS
- Validity: 8 Days
- Data: 15 GB
- Countries: Thailand
Price: USD 11.99 (excluding shipping)
- Company: AIS
- Validity: 8 Days
- Data: 15 GB (drops down to 384 kbps after)
- Countries: Thailand
Price: USD 9.99 (excluding shipping)
- Company: AIS
- Validity: 15 Days
- Data: 30 GB (drops down to 64 kbps after)
- Countries: Thailand
Price: USD 24.49 (excluding shipping)
Simeasy
TRUE MOVE TRAVELLER SIM – 8GB INTERNET & FREE WI-FI
- Company: True
- Validity: 15 Days
- Data: 8 GB (drops down to 64 kbps after)
- Countries: Thailand
Price: Currently unavailable/Out of stock
Buying local SIM cards picked up at the airport
Another option is to buy a SIM card online in advance and later collect it at an airport. One of the best websites that offers this service is Klook.com. They currently have the 4G SIM Card (TH Pick Up) available that has received almost 47,000 reviews and with an average rating of 4.7 / 5.0.
The package is as follows:
- Validity: 8 days
- Data: Unlimited (3G/4G)
- Coverage: The Whole of Thailand
- Price: USD 4.75
You can pick up the SIM card in Krabi, Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
International Travel SIM cards
If you plan to visit several countries while in Asia, it can be a good idea to buy an international travel SIM card. Some of these SIM cards can be used in a handful of Asian countries, but some can be used worldwide.
China Unicom is one example and that sells SIM cards where you can use the internet in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and more.
For a complete overview of the international travel SIM cards we recommend at the moment, you can check this article.
Roaming in Thailand
Roaming is generally the most expensive option, I would never go for this option as there are better solutions available.
Not only is it more expensive, but the internet speed is often slower too. If you still insist to use roaming while overseas, make sure whether your service provider accepts it and what the costs are. If not, you might end up with a hefty phone bill.
Rent a phone in Thailand
The last option is to rent a phone while going abroad. One of the most well-known companies offering this service is Cellular Abroad, which was started in 2001 in the US. Worth bearing in mind is that they only cater to customers in Canada and the US.
After you managed the process booking online, Cellular Abroad will send you the phone and you’ll receive it within a few days along with a SIM card.
Some of their products for Thailand are:
BLU Z3 with Thailand SIM Card
- 320 minutes of calling to the US/Canada
- 500 minutes of calling within Thailand
Price: USD 128.95
Samsung Galaxy J3 Eclipse with Thailand SIM Card
- 320 minutes of calling to the US/Canada
- 500 minutes of calling within Thailand
Price: USD 278.95
Apple iPhone 6 with Thailand SIM Card
- 320 minutes of calling to the US/Canada
- 500 minutes of calling within Thailand
Price: USD 288.95
If you want to use Cellular Abroad services and rent a phone, simply include our promo code sapore10 and get a discount of 10 US dollars at checkout. The discount code can be shared while talking to Cellular Abroad, or you can just input it when buying online!
Photo Credits: Photo by PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay
PIck up a sim card from the airport, NO NO NO, when you land you are in Quarantine no buying for 14 days
Hi…Just wondering if there is a sim card for calls and texts etc…and a sim card for internet only sim card?…2 types of sim cards?….In Thailand….thanking you…Gary
Hi Gary, many international sim cards (they are valid in several countries) only offer data connection (without voice and sms). If you need to call and send sms you shall ouble check the SIM specifications before you purchase it