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If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, a top tip for keeping costs down is to switch to a local SIM card. Take advantage of better tariffs, plans and deals to reduce your roaming rates. Thailand has some good SIM card options, but the coverage can sometimes be questionable. You can get 1GB of data from Thailand’s top telco providers for just THB100 (US$3.00). So, whether you’re a short- or long-term traveler, you can save money by comparing your SIM card options on finder.com.
There are three main telco providers in Thailand: AIS, dtac and TrueMove H. Locals and travelers use SIM cards from all three networks, and they can be trusted no matter which plan you choose. According to OpenSignal’s coverage map, the main cities, highways and urban areas offer great network coverage, while the more remote areas can sometimes lack a good signal.
All operators offer prepaid SIM cards, and you can buy them from stores, supermarkets, kiosks, drug stores and official outlets as well as at the Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Udon Thani international airports. 2G, 3G and 4G plans are available on all networks for unlocked GSM phones. You can buy a SIM card by showing your passport, and your telephone number is already active when you purchase it. To add credit, there are several prepaid card machines around various towns and cities, and vouchers are stocked in corner stores and supermarkets.
Below, we have broken down each telco provider to highlight exactly what they can offer you during your stay in Thailand.
AIS is the largest provider in Thailand and offers customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers, and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers or by using your credit card online. There are two different prepaid SIM cards available: “1-2-1 Call” and “you! Mobile”. Dial *700# <call> and choose option 5 to change the language option to English; otherwise all prompts and notifications will be in Thai. Top-ups can be made in varying amounts between THB50 and THB500. Dial *120*<16-digit voucher PIN># to add credit. Dial *121*3# to check your balance.
The following options are available on the “1-2-1-Call” SIM card:
AIS also offers a popular “traveler SIM card” for tourists. The following three options are available:
Traveler SIM THB49: Free SuperWi-Fi for 7 days, THB15 worth of credit and extra bonuses.
Traveler SIM THB299: Free unlimited Internet for 8 days, THB100 worth of credit and THB1-per-minute calls, plus extra bonuses.
Traveler SIM THB599: Free unlimited Internet for 15 days, THB100 worth of credit and THB1-per-minute calls, plus extra bonuses.
The data packs below can be added to the traveler SIM card:
Rate | Data | Valid for | Activations |
---|---|---|---|
THB50 | 160MB | 1 day | *777*701# |
THB270 | 1.5GB | 10 days | *777*702# |
THB690 | 3GB | 15 days | *777*703# |
THB9.63 | Unlimited Wi-Fi | 1 hour | *777*380# |
Social media packs are also available:
The following “Net SIM” data-only packs are available:
AIS also has thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots dotted around Thailand. The table below shows which packs can be used on prepaid SIM cards to access the Wi-Fi points:
AIS also provides a selection of roaming offers that can be used across southeast Asia. Check stores for the latest deals.
AIs’s APN: internet, website: www.ais.co.th
dtac is the second-largest provider in Thailand and offers customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers, and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers or by using your credit card online. dtac prepaid SIM cards are called the “Happy” SIM. The following options can be purchased:
The following data packs can also be added to prepaid SIM cards:
Valid for | Rate | Data | Speed | Activation |
---|---|---|---|---|
24 hours | THB19 | 500MB | @ 64Kbps | *104*881*9# |
24 hours | THB29 | 1GB | *104*882*9# | |
24 hours | THB49 | 1.2GB | @ 384Kbps | *104*29*9# |
7 days | THB79 | 600MB | @ 128Kbps | *104*883*9# |
7 days | THB99 | 1GB | *104*884*9# | |
7 days | THB199 | 1.2GB | @ 384Kbps | *104*28*9# |
30 days | THB199 | 1.5GB | *104*853*9# | |
30 days | THB299 | 2.5GB | @ 128Kbps | *104*353*9# |
30 days | THB399 | 4.5GB | Unlimited | *104*21*9# |
30 days | THB699 | 9GB | @ 384Kbps | *104*344*9# |
30 days | THB799 | 12GB | *104*343*9# |
These social media packs can also be added:
dtac tourist SIM cards are a great option for travelers:
The following data can be added to the tourist SIM card:
Wi-Fi passes can also be purchased, and they include the use of the Wi-Fi hotspots for unlimited data:
dtac’s APN: www.dtac.co.th, and website: www.dtac.co.th
TrueMove H is Thailand’s smallest operator but offers some great prepaid plan prices. It provides customers with 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers, and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers or by using your credit card online.
Its prepaid SIM cards come in the following options:
Price | Time | Data | Wi-Fi | Activation |
---|---|---|---|---|
THB9 | 24 hours | 100MB | n/a | *900*3301# |
THB15 | 24 hours | 200MB | *900*3306# | |
THB49 | 24 hours | 320MB | *900*3302# | |
THB39 | 24 hours | 750MB | *900*1920# | |
THB49 | 24 hours | 320MB | *900*3302# | |
THB59 | 7 days | 200MB | *900*8811# | |
THB59 | 7 days | 400MB | *900*3307# | |
THB79 | 7 days | 500MB | *900*8825# | |
THB99 | 7 days | 750MB | *900*8826# | |
THB159 | 7 days | 1.5GB | *900*8827# | |
THB199 | 30 days | 1GB | Unlimited | *900*1801# |
THB199 | 30 days | 1.5GB | n/a | *900*8982# |
THB250 | 30 days | 2GB | *900*3325# | |
THB299 | 30 days | 1.5GB | Unlimited | *900*1329# |
THB399 | 30 days | 3GB | *900*1339# | |
THB699 | 30 days | 6GB | *900*1369# |
These data packs can also be added:
TrueMove H also offers a 4G/LTE-only SIM card:
Price | Data | Validity | Activation |
---|---|---|---|
THB9 | 200MB | 1 day | *900*1922# |
THB15 | 400MB | 1 day | *900*1923# |
THB39 | 1.5GB | 1 day | *900*1924# |
THB59 | 800MB | 7 days | *900*1925# |
THB99 | 2GB | 7 days | *900*1926# |
THB199 | 1.5GB | 30 days | *900*8816# |
THB299 | 2.5GB | 30 days | *900*8817# |
THB399 | 4GB | 30 days | *900*8818# |
THB699 | 8GB | 30 days | *900*8819# |
THB799 | 12GB | 30 days | *900*8820# |
As well, there is a tourist SIM card available that comes in different sizes:
The following data bundles are also available:
Price | Data | Validity | Activation code |
---|---|---|---|
THB100 | 1GB | 3 days | *900*8984# |
THB150 | 1.5GB | 7 days | *900*8985# |
THB300 | 2.5GB | 10 days | *900*8986# |
THB450 | 4GB | 15 days | *900*8988# |
THB750 | 9GB | 30 days | *900*8989# |
THB850 | 12GB | 30 days | *900*8992# |
TrueMove H’s APN: internet, and website: https://www.truemove-h.com/
While it’s well known for reviews, booking hotels, flights and vacations, TripAdvisor also has many user comments that can help guide you through what SIM cards have been tried and tested in Thailand.
Here are some top tips from TripAdvisor users:
“You can get a basic SIM for free at the airport, but it’s better to buy a data/calls package from one of the big three, which all have booths in the arrivals hall. AIS, DTAC, TrueMove. Usually, after the card is put in the phone, you wait a very short time and you’ll get a welcome SMS telling you the service is activated. The staff will help you.“
“The operators have special tourist SIM packages which are easy to buy but you may find it difficult to extend their validity past the standard validity period (typically 7 or 15) days. This would be inconvenient if you want to keep the same number for repeated visits.“
“They can sell you the appropriate SIM given your needs… Just make sure your phone is “unlocked” and can accept a Thai SIM as these shops don’t do any ‘servicing’ of phones.”
All networks require you to have a SIM-unlocked, GSM-compatible phone. To double check you have this phone, contact your provider before you set off on your travels.
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