Thai SIM registered to your passport essential для banking OTPs, Grab, immigration appointments и two-factor login. Buying a SIM is easy; choosing the right plan and store saves money и avoids early expiry.
Major carriers
| Carrier | Strengths | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| AIS | Broad coverage, popular on islands | Tourist packs expire |
| True | Strong in Bangkok urban core | Shop staff quality varies |
| dtac | Competitive data promos | Coverage gaps in remote north |
There is no perfect winner — pick by coverage in your condo (test with a friend's SIM if possible).
Quick task reference: /tasks/sim
Where to buy
| Channel | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Airport counters | Immediate data after landing | Tourist-priced packs |
| Official brand stores | Proper registration, receipts | Queues in malls |
| 7-Eleven / FamilyMart | Convenient | Staff may sell tourist packs only |
Bring passport — photo page и entry stamp. Registration is on the spot.
Tourist SIM vs long-stay plan
Tourist SIMs (often 8–15 days to 30 days) suit holidays. Long-stay holders should move to monthly prepaid or postpaid to avoid mid-extension data cutoffs.
Nomads on DTV: align plan renewal with 90-day reporting calendar so you do not lose OTP access.
eSIM in 2026
AIS, True и dtac offer eSIM QR activation at flagship stores — useful if your phone supports dual eSIM. Airport eSIM kiosks exist; confirm 5G band support for your device model.
Tip
Screenshot your phone number и carrier app login after activation. You will need the number for bank KYC и condo internet orders.
Typical costs
| Plan type | Indicative price | Data |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist 8–15 days | ฿299–599 | 50–100GB capped |
| Monthly prepaid | ฿399–899 | 50GB+; promos change monthly |
| Postpaid with handset | Higher | Bundled contracts |
Budget line: Cost of living in Thailand 2026
Topping up
Use carrier apps (myAIS, TrueMoney), 7-Eleven counters или bank apps. Keep ฿100–200 balance for OTP SMS even on mostly-data plans.
5G and home fibre
Mobile 5G is fast in Bangkok и Chiang Mai cores; home fibre remains primary for video calls. See utilities guide.
City hubs: Bangkok · Chiang Mai · Digital nomad cities
Banking and immigration links
Banks send OTP SMS to Thai numbers during account opening. Immigration SMS reminders exist in some offices — keep the SIM active between trips.
Opening a Thai bank account · Moving to Thailand guide
Частые вопросы
Can I use my home country SIM?
Roaming works briefly but is expensive for daily Grab и banking OTP requirements.
One SIM for dual-SIM phone?
Common pattern: home eSIM dormant, Thai physical SIM in slot two.
Lost passport — SIM still OK?
Report to carrier with police report; number recovery depends on carrier records tied to old passport.
Is VPN needed?
Not for carrier reasons; some banking apps geo-check — Thai IP or local SIM helps.
