The easiest way to get a SIM card in Thailand is a tourist SIM or eSIM from AIS, True or dtac, bought at the airport arrivals hall with your passport. True-dtac’s official tourist SIMs cost 349 THB for 5 days, 449 THB for 8 days, 699 THB for 15 days and 1,199 THB for 30 days (as of September 2026), and registration takes a few minutes.
Mobile data is essential in Thailand for maps, Grab rides, food delivery and translation apps, and a local SIM is usually far cheaper than roaming. Here is how to choose one.
At a Glance
- Networks: AIS, and True and dtac (one company since 2023, two brands)
- Tourist SIM prices: True-dtac: 349 THB (5 days) to 1,199 THB (30 days), as of September 2026
- Where: Official counters at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports; shops in town
- You need: Your passport; registration within 24 hours of activation
- eSIM: Available from the operators; check your phone supports it
In This Guide
- Why You Need One
- Which Network to Choose
- Tourist SIM, Prepaid or eSIM
- What It Costs
- Where to Buy
- Registration Rules
- Coverage in Phuket and Pattaya
- Keeping Your Number
- Staying Safe
- Quick Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
Why You Need a SIM Card in Thailand
Staying connected is not just about posting photos. You need data for maps, Grab and Bolt rides, food delivery, messaging apps and translation, which make travelling in Thailand much easier.
Roaming with your home carrier can be expensive, while a local tourist SIM gives you plenty of data and a Thai number for a few hundred baht.
Which Network to Choose
Thailand has two main mobile operators. AIS is the largest; True and dtac merged in 2023 to form True Corporation, and both brands still sell their own tourist SIMs.
- AIS: widely regarded as having the broadest coverage, including islands and rural areas.
- True and dtac: strong in cities and tourist areas, with tourist SIMs sold at all major airports.
For most visitors the difference is small: all networks offer 4G and 5G in cities and main beach areas.
Tourist SIM, Prepaid SIM or eSIM?
There are three options:
- Tourist SIM: a fixed-period package, usually 5 to 30 days, with data and some calls; ready to use once registered. Best for most trips.
- Regular prepaid SIM: better for long stays or repeat visits; top up as you go and keep the number.
- eSIM: if your phone supports it, you can set it up without swapping cards and keep your home SIM active for bank texts.
What It Costs
The official True-dtac tourist SIM prices, on dtac’s website, are (as of September 2026):
| Package | Price |
|---|---|
| 5 days | 349 THB |
| 8 days | 449 THB |
| 15 days | 699 THB |
| 30 days | 1,199 THB |
AIS sells similar tourist packages at its airport counters. Prices change often and airport promotions are common, so compare the counters on arrival. You can top up at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, in the operator’s app or at mobile shops.
Where to Buy a SIM Card in Thailand
The easiest place is the airport. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in Bangkok and Phuket International all have official operator counters in arrivals, where staff speak English, register the SIM with your passport and set it up for you.
Buy only from counters with the operator’s own branding: independent sellers can charge much more for the same package. In town, operator shops in shopping malls sell tourist and prepaid SIMs too.
Registration Rules
Every Thai mobile number must be registered to an identity document. For tourist SIMs, dtac states you need a foreign passport, must be between 15 and 75 years old, and must register within 24 hours of activation. Staff at official counters do this for you in a few minutes; keep your passport handy.
Coverage in Phuket and Pattaya
Both areas have good coverage on all networks. In Phuket, you will have a reliable signal in Patong, Kata, Karon, Bang Tao and Phuket Town, and on most boat routes close to shore; signal can drop on remote islands and far offshore. In Pattaya, coverage is strong in Central Pattaya, Naklua, Wongamat and Jomtien, and on Koh Larn.
Planning a longer stay? See our guide to the Destination Thailand Visa, and for trips to the islands, our island hopping guide.
Keeping Your Thai Number for Next Time
Tourist SIMs expire at the end of their package. If you visit Thailand often, a regular prepaid number is worth keeping: prepaid numbers stay active only while they have validity, and each top-up extends it. Before you fly home, add a small top-up so the number is still yours on your next trip, and check the validity in the operator’s app.
A Thai number is handy beyond data: many local apps, delivery services and some banks send one-time codes by text, and hotels, drivers and tour operators often prefer to reach you on a local number or on LINE, the messaging app most Thais use.
Staying Safe With Your Phone
A few precautions protect your phone and your accounts while travelling:
- Ignore texts with links claiming to be from banks, parcel services or the police; operators never ask for passwords by text.
- Use a dual-SIM or eSIM setup so your home number still receives bank security codes.
- Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch on boat trips and during Songkran.
- Note your operator’s hotline number in case your SIM is lost or stolen, and lock your SIM with a PIN in your phone settings.
Quick Tips
A few small habits save time and money:
- Buy your SIM at the official airport counter when you land.
- Keep your passport handy for registration at the counter.
- Keep the SIM card holder: it shows your number and details.
- Top up at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart or in the operator’s app.
- Staying long-term? Switch to a regular prepaid plan to save on renewals.
This is where we at Silqhaus come into the picture. Silqhaus, a Phuket and Pattaya holiday-rental company, has homes across Phuket and condos in Pattaya, and our local team can help with practical questions like this from the day you book. Booking direct is always at least 10% below Airbnb and Booking.com for the same home and dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a tourist SIM card in Thailand?
True-dtac’s official tourist SIMs cost 349 THB for 5 days, 449 THB for 8 days, 699 THB for 15 days and 1,199 THB for 30 days (as of September 2026). AIS offers similar packages.
Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in Thailand?
Yes. All numbers must be registered, and tourist SIMs are registered with your passport at the counter.
Which is the best SIM card in Thailand?
AIS is known for the widest coverage; True and dtac are strong in cities and tourist areas. All work well for most visitors.
Can I use an eSIM in Thailand?
Yes, if your phone supports eSIM. The operators offer eSIMs, and you can keep your home SIM active.
