eSIM Thailand: Top Providers and Their Benefits

Thailand is a favorite destination for travelers as it offers great prices and quality services. This also applies to internet connectivity. In Thailand, you can access the internet almost anywhere. Additionally, you can enjoy unlimited data or a local phone number, even with an eSIM Thailand. This is especially useful if you plan to use local apps like inDrive or Grab. Moreover, there might be times when a tour agency needs to contact you regarding your booking. Let’s dive into the prices and package options.

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eSIM Thailand: The Best Options

Prices start at $4, which gets you 1 GB for a week. This might not be enough if you plan to use data extensively. Luckily, there’s a wide range of options to choose from.

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Airalo

If you don’t want limitations, we recommend Airalo, which offers unlimited data for $19.95 for 15 days (extended to 20 days until February 28, 2025). This is ideal for a two-week vacation. Additionally, you’ll get a Thai phone number from dtac, unlimited calls, and credit for SMS, which can come in handy. You can further reduce the price by using our code KATERI4806 during registration.

Airalo also offers a package for shorter trips. 10 days of virtually unlimited internet (since using up 50 GB in such a short time is rare) costs $9.90. This package also includes a Thai phone number and 100 minutes of calls. You can read our Airalo review here, and we definitely recommend the app.

Note: Airalo’s eSIMs via dtac now require identity verification (passport upload).

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MobiMatter

MobiMatter offers a wide range of options to suit your needs. If you’re staying in Thailand for 10 days or less but want full access to data, they provide 50 GB for 10 days at $8.49. This package also includes a Thai phone number and 100 minutes of calls within Thailand. MobiMatter also provides eSIMs from the dtac operator.

With MobiMatter, you can also purchase a bundle that covers Malaysia and Singapore, ideal for travelers planning to visit all three countries. For $14.99, you get 30 GB for 30 days. In Thailand, it uses the network of AIS, the best operator, but it doesn’t include a Thai phone number or call minutes.

Nomad

In Thailand, we also used eSIMs from Nomad. They offer an eSIM with 50 GB for 10 days at $12 (currently on sale for $8).

If you’re planning a longer stay in Thailand, the best option is an eSIM with 10 GB for 30 days at $20. A key advantage is that this eSIM uses AIS, the best network coverage in the country. However, it does not include a Thai phone number or call minutes, which may seem trivial but could prove useful.

Airhub

The final eSIM provider worth mentioning for Thailand is Airhub. They offer an eSIM from dtac with 50 GB for 10 days, priced at $7.8, which is a great option if you’ve already used discount codes with other providers.

An eSIM with unlimited data for 10 days at $7.13 might also seem attractive, but reading the fine print reveals that unlimited data is capped at a speed of 384 kbps, with full speed only available for apps like WhatsApp and Messenger.

If you need truly unlimited data, opt for the 7-day variant at $6.7, which provides unrestricted data usage. All these eSIMs connect to the dtac network and include a Thai phone number.

eSIM from Thai Operator dtac

You can purchase an eSIM directly from the local operator dtac, where 15 days of unlimited data costs 599 baht (approx. $17). You can even choose your own number. However, a potential drawback is that you must present your passport (if purchasing online, you’ll need to upload a photo of it during the purchase process).

Good prices are also offered by many smaller providers. As Thailand is a popular destination, there are often various promotions.

Overview of the Best Plans

Traditional SIM Cards in Thailand

If you prefer traditional SIM cards or your phone doesn’t support eSIM, you still have plenty of options. At the airport, you’ll find numerous local operator stalls offering tourist packages. The selection is relatively large, but keep in mind that prices at the airport may be slightly higher than in the city (for example, in 7-Eleven). For instance, an eSIM from dtac purchased at the airport costs 699 baht (approx. $20), so it’s more cost-effective to get it online through platforms like Airhub, Airalo, or MobiMatter.

Operator Options

In Thailand, you can choose from three major operators: dtac, AIS, and True Move.

AIS has the best coverage among them but is also the most expensive. However, unless you’re spending several days in the jungle, and are staying mainly in tourist areas and major cities, the offerings from dtac and True Move will be more than sufficient. We used dtac in Thailand and had coverage on rice fields and almost the entire train route, which we often don’t even experience in the Czech Republic.

Price of SIM Cards in Thailand

Their offers are quite similar in terms of pricing. The differences lie mainly in the number of free call minutes, whether they include chat apps or allow access to all social media without data usage, etc.

Examples of Plans:

• 8 days, 15 GB for 299 baht (approx. $8.5 or 190 CZK)
• 10 days, 50 GB for 349 baht (approx. $10 or 220 CZK)
• 15 days, 30 GB for 599 baht (approx. $17 or 380 CZK)
• Unlimited data for 30 days for 1199 baht (approx. $34 or 770 CZK)

You can also buy a SIM card for 49 baht, which includes 1 GB of data valid for 24 hours. You can then top it up and choose your plans as needed. For example, dtac offers convenient top-ups through their app, so you don’t even need to visit a store. If you buy such a SIM card at 7-Eleven, it will most likely be from True Move. Their top-up plans include 150 baht (approx. $4.5 or 95 CZK) for unlimited internet for 30 days at 4 Mbps or 350 baht (approx. $10 or 220 CZK) for 10 Mbps, which is sufficient for most users.

⚠️Note: Not all SIM cards may be available in the store you visit. Some SIM cards can only be purchased online as eSIMs directly from the operator. Additionally, cheap non-tourist SIM cards can only be purchased by locals, so stores may hesitate to sell them to tourists. However, sometimes you can get lucky.

If you’re traveling with a group and everyone wants their own SIM, you can take advantage of promotions for buying SIM cards online (e.g., during our visit, they offered 3 + 1 SIM cards free).

You can also purchase a SIM card in advance for local pickup through platforms like klook.com, where it’s often cheaper. (Incidentally, you can also find discounted tickets for some attractions there 😉).

Prices may vary depending on operator promotions.

What Do I Need to Buy a Traditional SIM Card?

When purchasing at an airport stall or a store in the city, expect to be asked for your passport. Each SIM card is registered directly to the individual, so we recommend not giving it to anyone else when you leave.

What Do I Need to Buy an eSIM?

With an eSIM, you can skip all these steps and complete the purchase directly on your phone. All you need is a payment card and an email for registration. You can check if your phone supports eSIM in our article Can I Use an eSIM on My Phone?

If you want to learn more about eSIMs and how they work, check out our article Everything About eSIMs.

Summary

Whether you’re heading to Thailand for vacation or need to work and stay connected, an eSIM is definitely a great choice. You can find affordable local SIM packages, but with an eSIM, you’ll be online as soon as your plane lands. Plus, you won’t have to deal with stalls, language barriers, or showing your passport for number registration.

Additionally, from our experience, eSIMs are reliable, as providers use local operators, and many packages even include a local number with calling capabilities, which has been handy for us a few times.