Thailand Tourist SIM Card: Prices and Where to Buy
AIS, dtac and TrueMove H: real prices in baht, passport registration, airport or 7-Eleven, and a step-by-step guide to buying a Thailand SIM online before your flight.
A tourist SIM card in Thailand costs about 300–700 baht (roughly $9–20), depending on validity: 8-day packs are cheaper, and a 15-day pack costs about 700 baht. AIS, dtac and TrueMove H sell them at airports, in shops and at 7-Eleven, and you need your passport. If you want to buy a Thailand SIM online, an eSIM is the option: it works right after you land.
Prices checked in October 2026 from reviews and public sources. Carriers often update their tariffs, and websites don’t always show prices for foreigners, so amounts are given as ranges.
How much does a tourist SIM card cost in Thailand?
The country has three brands: AIS, TrueMove H (True) and dtac. Some sources report that dtac is gradually merging with True, so check locally which separate packs are still sold. Typical prices:
| Pack | Validity | Price (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| TrueMove H, Tourist, unlimited data | 8 days | about 449 THB (~$13) |
| dtac, unlimited data | 8 days | 449–499 THB ($13–15) |
| AIS, unlimited data | 15 days | about 699 THB (~$20) |
| dtac, unlimited data | 15 days | about 699 THB (~$20) |
| Budget packs with a 15 GB cap | 7–8 days | about 299 THB (~$9); data may be out of date |
According to reviews, AIS monthly tourist packs at the airport go up to 1,199 THB (~$35), while the same operator sells similar packs in town for 299–599 THB. The gap comes from airport counter markups.
Carriers rarely sell exact 7-day packs: 8-day and 15-day packs are more common. Choose a validity with some margin.
Where to buy a SIM card in Thailand as a tourist?
- Airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai). AIS, dtac and True counters are in the arrivals hall. Staff register your passport and activate the card with you present. It is quick but more expensive.
- 7-Eleven. Stores are on almost every street, and True and some other SIMs are sold there. Usually cheaper than the airport.
- Carrier shops in shopping centres. Advisers can help you choose a pack, and sometimes speak English.
- Online eSIM. Bought in advance, with no passport needed at a shop.
According to reviews, one person may buy no more than three SIMs of the same brand, but a tourist doesn’t need that many.
Do you need a passport to buy a SIM in Thailand?
Yes. The operator checks your passport and takes your photo to register the number. If you use a tourist SIM for more than 60 days after activation, you may be asked to confirm your identity again, or the line will be cut off. An eSIM bought online does not need a passport, but it has no local number: it is data only.
Is a local SIM or an eSIM better for tourists?
| Local SIM | Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Where to buy | Airport, 7-Eleven, carrier store | Online before the trip |
| Passport | Required | Not needed |
| Price for 8–15 days | ~$13–20 | Depends on data volume, see the table below |
| Number | Thai, you can call and order delivery | None, data only |
| Main SIM | Needs a second slot or a swap | Stays in your phone |
| Best for | Long stays, local services that need a number | Holidays of 1–14 days, transit |
Honest verdict: for a holiday of up to two weeks, an eSIM costs about the same as a local SIM and saves registration time. If you live in Thailand for months and need local SMS codes (banks, Grab, Line) or phone calls, take an AIS or True number. More: eSIM or physical SIM.
How much does an eSIM for Thailand cost?
You can buy a plan in advance and activate it within 180 days of purchase. The cheapest plan starts from $2.69.
| Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $2.69 |
| 3 GB | 1 month | $5.09 |
| 5 GB | 1 month | $6.09 |
| 10 GB | 1 month | $8.49 |
| 20 GB | 1 month | $15.19 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 7 days | $10.90 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 15 days | $21.90 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 1 month | $41.29 |
Our Thailand plans use TrueMove H and DTAC, with 5G on TrueMove H and DTAC. There is no local number, but most plans support hotspot, and when data runs low you can top up the same eSIM on most plans. All plans: eSIM for Thailand. If you are flying to several islands or to neighbouring countries, see eSIM for Southeast Asia.
How to buy a Thailand SIM online and connect before you fly
- Check whether your phone supports eSIM: device list.
- Choose a plan by data volume and number of days. For navigation, social media and occasional video calls, 5–10 GB for a week is enough.
- Get the QR code by email. The email usually arrives within a few minutes.
- Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi. Instructions: how to install an eSIM.
- In Thailand, select the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming on that line. Keep your main SIM for calls and SMS, and turn off mobile data on it.
Coverage in Thailand: cities, islands and mountains
Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and other major places are covered by all operators, and cities have 5G. On smaller islands (Koh Lipe, Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi) and in the northern mountains, the signal can drop, especially in bays and on roads between villages. If your route goes through national parks and remote islands, download offline maps and save your ferry tickets so you can open them without internet.
When is a local SIM cheaper, and when isn’t it?
Count by length of stay and by your habits. For 8–15 days, a True or AIS pack at 449–699 THB costs about the same as an eSIM, but it means a queue and registration. For a month or longer, a local SIM wins: 30-day packs in town cost noticeably less than airport ones. If you stay for a season, you will need a Thai number for Grab, delivery, banking and rental accommodation.
For everyone else, an eSIM is more convenient: you land in Bangkok or Phuket with internet already working, you can call a taxi straight away, and you don’t depend on whether a counter is open at three in the morning.
Travel tips
- Don’t turn on roaming on your main SIM. Switch off “Data roaming” on your home line.
- Airport Wi-Fi is free, but often asks you to register and is overloaded. For installing an eSIM, use home Wi-Fi.
- Dual SIM lets you receive SMS codes on your main number while data goes through the eSIM.
- Compare prices at the airport and at 7-Eleven if you have time.
- Don’t buy a SIM from street sellers: cards sold without proper registration can be cut off.
FAQ
How much does a SIM card in Thailand cost for tourists?
Packs for 8 days cost about 449–499 THB (~$13–15), and for 15 days about 699 THB (~$20). Airport packs can cost more than those at 7-Eleven. Prices are estimates for October 2026.
Can I buy a Thailand SIM online?
Yes, as an eSIM: the QR code arrives by email, and you can install it at home. Online ordering on the site will open soon; until then, the country page shows the available plans.
Do I need a passport for a local SIM?
Yes, when you buy one at a shop or at the airport, your passport is required. An eSIM bought online does not need one.
Which carrier is best in Thailand?
AIS is usually praised for coverage, True for speed in cities, and dtac for price, but in some places it depends on the exact spot. For remote islands, check each operator’s coverage map.
Does an eSIM work for calls within Thailand?
No, an eSIM has no number. You can call through WhatsApp, Telegram, Line or other messengers.
Do I need a local number for Grab and delivery?
Often internet and an account are enough, but some services ask for an SMS to a local number. If you need that, a physical SIM is the better choice.
What if the internet doesn’t work after I land?
Check that the eSIM is selected for mobile data and that data roaming is on for it. Instructions: eSIM not connecting.
Conclusion
If you are travelling for a week or two and want internet right after landing, buy an eSIM in advance: plans for Thailand. If you live in the country for a long time or need a Thai number, buy a SIM at 7-Eleven or at a carrier store. Refunds: 180 days if the profile is not installed, and 30 days if it is installed but not activated.