Thailand SIM Card for Tourists (2026): Prices, Plans and Where to Buy
Contents (25)
Quick answer: the easiest way to get online in Thailand is a local tourist SIM or a Thai eSIM. Tourist SIMs from AIS, dtac and True cost roughly 299–449 baht for 7–8 days and around 1,199 baht for 30 days of unlimited use. You can buy a physical SIM at the airport or at 7-Eleven (passport required), or buy an eSIM for Thailand online and have it ready before you land.
Anyone planning a trip to Thailand quickly runs into the same question: how do you get online without paying a fortune in roaming charges to your home carrier? The simple answer is a local SIM, either physical or digital (eSIM), which you can get before you land or as soon as you leave the airport. This guide covers it all: the carriers operating in Thailand, price ranges by number of days, the difference between a physical SIM and an eSIM, and where it actually makes sense to buy.
A note on prices: all prices in this guide are in Thai baht (฿). Prices and exchange rates change, so check the current rate close to the time you actually buy.
Why you need a local SIM in Thailand
International roaming through your home carrier can easily cost $10–15 a day, so a two-week trip can add up to a large amount just for connectivity. A local tourist SIM in Thailand, on the other hand, typically costs between about 150 and 800 baht for your whole stay, including a generous amount of data. Besides the savings, a local physical SIM also gives you a Thai phone number for arranging taxis, restaurants and local bookings.
Physical SIM vs. eSIM: which suits you?
| Criterion | Physical SIM | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Where to buy | Airport counter, 7-Eleven, carrier store | Online, before your flight |
| When it starts working | After you actually buy it | Immediately, sometimes even before landing |
| Passport | Required at the counter | Not required at activation |
| Airport queue | Sometimes 10–30 minutes at busy times | None |
| Network and speed | Same AIS and True networks | Same |
| Price range | About 299 to 1,199 baht | Depends on data and days |
| Phone broken or lost | Can move to any unlocked phone | Depends on an eSIM-capable device |
| Device support | Any unlocked phone | iPhone XS and later, Pixel 3 and later, Galaxy S21 and later, and most flagships after 2020 |
| Keeping your home number active | No, your home SIM comes out of the phone | Yes, you can use two lines at once |
Practical takeaway: if you want to stay reachable on your home number, an eSIM is the most convenient solution. If you prefer a physical backup or use an older phone, a physical SIM still works perfectly well and is sometimes even cheaper.
Mobile carriers in Thailand
AIS (Advanced Info Service)
The carrier with the widest network coverage in Thailand, including rural areas and remote islands. It offers several tourist plans, both physical and eSIM, across a wide price range. Recommended if you're planning treks, trips to the north or island hopping.
dtac and True (merged under True Corporation since 2023)
The two brands still run separate tourist plans even after the merger. True offers plans with unlimited data, and dtac is known as a budget option for short trips. Both are especially good for city trips and heavy social media use.
Other budget carriers
My by CAT and TOT Mobile offer cheaper plans but with more limited coverage, mainly suited to tight budgets and stays in big cities.
Thailand tourist SIM prices by length of stay
Short plans (7–8 days)
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price (baht) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIS Tourist SIM | 6–15GB | 7–8 days | 299–399 ฿ |
| dtac Happy Tourist | 8GB | 7–8 days | 249–449 ฿ |
| True Move H | 10GB | 7–8 days | 299–449 ฿ |
Medium plans (15 days)
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price (baht) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIS Tourist SIM | 15–20GB | 15 days | 449–549 ฿ |
| dtac Happy Tourist | 15GB | 15 days | 399–699 ฿ |
| True Move H | Unlimited | 15 days | 599–699 ฿ |
Long plans (30 days)
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price (baht) |
|---|---|---|---|
| dtac/True | Unlimited calls and data | 30 days | 1,199 ฿ |
| AIS Tourist SIM | Unlimited | 30 days | Up to 1,599–1,699 ฿ |
AIS also offers a one-day tourist SIM with 1GB for about 49 baht, a good option if you only need quick access during an airport layover.
The 200-baht SIM: much cheaper, but hard to find
Besides tourist plans, Thailand also has regular "local" plans, meant mainly for residents rather than tourists. For example, a local dtac SIM sold at 7-Eleven for about 199 baht a month is far cheaper than the equivalent tourist plans. The problem is availability: according to recent reports, many 7-Eleven branches in tourist areas and on the islands, such as Koh Samui, don't stock the cheap local plan at all and only offer the pricier tourist plan. Some branches even refuse to sell a local SIM to tourists and point them to the tourist plan instead. In practice, you have a much better chance of finding the cheap SIM in Bangkok and other big cities than on the islands or in resort areas. If you're turned away, simply try another branch or a competing chain such as FamilyMart.
Where to buy a SIM card in Thailand
1. Airport counters
All major Thai airports, including Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in Bangkok and Phuket airport, have official AIS, dtac and True Move H counters in the arrivals hall after customs. This is the most convenient option for first-time visitors: staff install and activate the SIM on the spot, but be ready for a queue at busy times.
2. Convenience stores: 7-Eleven and FamilyMart
Thailand has more than 13,000 7-Eleven branches, and most sell tourist SIM plans for less than the airport counters. Availability varies from branch to branch: tourist plans are more common near airports and in tourist areas, while branches in residential neighborhoods or on some islands may stock only top-up cards, not full SIM packs.
3. Official carrier stores
AIS, dtac and True stores in the cities offer the most complete service, including support, plan upgrades and troubleshooting. A good fit if you're staying in Thailand for a long time and want better backup.
4. Buy online in advance (best if you want to save time)
You can order a physical SIM in advance for airport pickup, or buy an eSIM for Thailand and set it up before your flight. This is the easiest route if you arrive at night or want to be connected the moment you land, without depending on queues or open counters.
How to activate a SIM in Thailand: quick steps
- Choose a provider and plan based on the length of your trip and how much data you need.
- Have your passport ready if you're buying at a physical counter, since SIM registration in Thailand requires ID.
- Insert the SIM into an unlocked phone, or scan the QR code to activate an eSIM. Need help? See our eSIM installation guide.
- Check the APN settings, which are usually configured automatically when you insert the SIM.
- Test the connection before leaving the airport to make sure the plan is active.
Important tips before you buy
- Make sure your phone is unlocked, or the local SIM won't work.
- Check that your phone supports eSIM before choosing the digital option. You can check your device here, since not every model supports it.
- For island trips and treks, AIS is the better choice thanks to the widest network coverage.
- For heavy city use and social media, True Move H and dtac offer good value.
- If you're after the 200-baht SIM, look for it in Bangkok or a big city, rather than counting on finding it on your island.
- Keep your home SIM safe, and if you want to stay reachable on it, an eSIM lets you run two lines.
- Check the plan's validity against your return date, so you aren't left without data on your last day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in Thailand?
Yes. When buying a physical SIM at a counter or official store, you need your passport for registration. When you buy an eSIM online, activation usually doesn't require showing a passport at the time of purchase.
Which is better, AIS or dtac/True?
It depends on your use: AIS leads on coverage in rural areas and on the islands, while dtac and True offer unlimited data plans at competitive prices for city use.
Can I buy a Thai SIM card before my flight?
Yes. You can order a physical SIM in advance for airport pickup, or buy an eSIM for Thailand and set it up before you leave home.
How much does a SIM card for two weeks in Thailand cost?
On average between 399 and 699 baht, depending on the provider and the amount of data.
Is there really a 200-baht SIM in Thailand?
Yes. It's a local plan (not a dedicated tourist plan), sold for around 199 baht at 7-Eleven branches, but availability is limited and especially low on the islands and in resort areas, compared with Bangkok and the big cities where it's easier to find.
Summary
Whether you pick a physical SIM from an airport counter, one from 7-Eleven, or an eSIM that's active before takeoff, the key is matching the provider and plan to your type of trip: AIS for islands and treks, dtac or True for heavy city use. If you want to be connected the moment you land and keep your home number active too, check the eSIM plans for Thailand and set yours up in advance.