Overview: Mobile & Internet in Thailand
Thailand has excellent mobile coverage and fast internet speeds at very affordable prices. Whether you need a tourist SIM card for a short trip or a long-term mobile plan with home fiber internet, Thailand's telecom infrastructure is modern, reliable, and easy to set up.
The Big 3 Mobile Providers
Thailand has three major mobile network providers: AIS, TrueMove H, and dtac. All three offer excellent coverage, 4G/5G networks, and competitive pricing. The choice often comes down to coverage in your specific area and personal preference.
AIS (Advanced Info Service)
- Market Position: Largest provider with ~45% market share
- Coverage: Best nationwide coverage, especially in rural areas and islands
- 5G Coverage: ~95% population coverage across all provinces
- Best For: Travelers visiting multiple regions, those wanting the most reliable signal everywhere
- Website: www.ais.th/en
TrueMove H (True Corporation)
- Market Position: Second largest provider
- Coverage: Excellent in cities, good rural coverage
- 5G Speeds: Fastest 5G speeds (often 100-200 Mbps in Bangkok)
- Best For: Digital nomads needing fast speeds for uploads, streaming, video calls
- Bundles: Often has good Mobile + Home Fiber bundles
- Website: www.truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/en
- Note: Merged with dtac to become True Corporation, but brands still operate separately
dtac (Total Access Communication)
- Market Position: Third largest provider
- Coverage: Good in cities, adequate rural coverage
- Pricing: Often cheapest for short-term tourist packages (8-15 day plans)
- Best For: Budget-conscious users, short-term tourists
- Website: www.dtac.co.th/en
Tourist SIM Card Packages (2025 Prices)
If you're visiting Thailand for a short time, all three providers offer tourist-specific packages with generous data allowances and no contracts.
AIS Tourist SIM
- 8 Days / 8GB: ฿299 THB (~$8 USD)
- 15 Days / 15GB: ฿399 THB (~$11 USD)
- 28 Days / 15GB: ฿399 THB (~$11 USD)
- Where to Buy: Airport kiosks, 7-Eleven, AIS stores
- Includes: Unlimited local calls, data, easy top-up
TrueMove H Tourist SIM
- 15 Days / 15GB: ฿399 THB (~$11 USD) at airport
- 30 Days / 20GB: ฿400 THB (~$11 USD) via app
- Where to Buy: Airport kiosks, 7-Eleven (฿49 THB for SIM, then add package), True stores
- App Advantage: Often has better deals on the TrueMove H app than in stores
dtac Tourist SIM
- 8 Days / 6GB: ฿199 THB (~$6 USD) - cheapest option
- 15 Days / 8GB: ฿249 THB (~$7 USD)
- 30 Days / 10GB: ฿279 THB (~$8 USD)
- Where to Buy: Airport kiosks, 7-Eleven, dtac stores
- Note: Cheapest for short stays, but smaller data allowances
Long-Term Monthly Plans (For Residents)
If you're living in Thailand long-term, monthly prepaid or postpaid plans offer better value than tourist packages.
Typical Monthly Plan Costs
- Budget Plans (6-10GB): ฿199-299 THB/month (~$6-9 USD)
- Standard Plans (15-20GB): ฿399-499 THB/month (~$11-14 USD)
- Heavy Data Plans (30-50GB): ฿599-799 THB/month (~$17-23 USD)
- Unlimited Plans: ฿899-1,299 THB/month (~$26-37 USD)
Popular Plans by Provider
AIS:
- PLAY 299: ฿299/month for 10GB 5G + unlimited 4G (speed-throttled after 10GB)
- PLAY 499: ฿499/month for 20GB 5G + unlimited 4G
- MAX Speed Unlimited: ฿899/month for truly unlimited 5G at full speed
TrueMove H:
- Unlimit 5G: ฿699/month for unlimited 5G data
- Super 5G: ฿899/month for unlimited 5G + premium perks
dtac:
- Go 299: ฿299/month for 12GB + unlimited social media apps
- Go 399: ฿399/month for 20GB + unlimited social
Where to Buy SIM Cards
At the Airport (Easiest)
All major Thailand airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai) have official kiosks from all three providers right after you exit customs. Staff speak English and can set up your SIM in minutes.
- Pros: Instant setup, English-speaking staff, ready to use immediately
- Cons: Slightly more expensive than buying at 7-Eleven
- Cost: Usually ฿299-499 for tourist packages
7-Eleven Stores (Cheapest)
Every 7-Eleven in Thailand sells SIM cards from all providers. You can buy a blank SIM for ฿49 THB and then add your chosen package via the provider's app or at their store.
- Pros: Cheapest option, thousands of locations
- Cons: You may need to activate packages yourself via app (easy but requires internet)
Provider Stores
AIS, True, and dtac have branded stores in malls and on major streets. Staff can help choose the best plan for your needs.
- Pros: Expert advice, can handle complex requests (eSIM, number porting, etc.)
- Cons: May have queues during busy times
eSIM Options
If your phone supports eSIM, you can activate a Thai number without needing a physical SIM card.
- AIS eSIM: Available via AIS app or website - www.ais.th/en/esim
- TrueMove H eSIM: Available via True app
- dtac eSIM: Available via dtac app and website
- Third-Party eSIM: Services like Airalo, Saily also offer Thailand eSIMs
Home Internet / Fiber Broadband
Thailand has excellent fiber internet infrastructure with fast speeds and affordable prices. Most condos are pre-wired for fiber from multiple providers.
Fiber Internet Providers
Home Internet Pricing (2025)
- 100 Mbps: ฿399-599/month (~$11-17 USD)
- 300 Mbps: ฿599-799/month (~$17-23 USD)
- 500 Mbps: ฿799-999/month (~$23-29 USD)
- 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps): ฿999-1,299/month (~$29-37 USD)
Setup Process
- Check which providers serve your condo (ask building management)
- Choose a plan and provider
- Visit provider store or call to arrange installation
- Technician installs router (usually within 1-3 days)
- Pay first month + router deposit (฿500-1,000, refundable)
Mobile + Home Internet Bundles
Providers often offer discounts if you bundle mobile and home internet:
- True Bundle: Mobile unlimited 5G + 500 Mbps home fiber = ฿999/month
- AIS Bundle: Mobile plan + AIS Fibre typically ฿100-200 discount/month
Documents Needed
For Tourist SIM (Short-term)
- Passport (they'll photocopy it)
- No other documents required
For Long-term Plans / Home Internet
- Passport with valid visa
- Proof of address (rental contract, utility bill, or condo documents)
- Thai phone number (if applying for home internet)
How to Top Up Your SIM
Easy Top-Up Methods
- 7-Eleven: Pay cash, tell cashier your phone number and provider
- Provider App: Link credit card or Thai bank account for instant top-up
- ATM: Most Thai ATMs have mobile top-up options
- Rabbit Line Pay: If you have a Rabbit Card (BTS), can use Line app to top up
- Provider Store: Pay cash at any AIS/True/dtac store
Minimum Top-Up
- Usually ฿10-50 THB minimum
- Can top up in increments of ฿10
5G Coverage in Thailand
Thailand has excellent 5G coverage, especially in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya.
- Population Coverage: ~95% of Thailand's population now has 5G access
- Speeds: Typically 100-300 Mbps, up to 500+ Mbps in optimal areas
- AIS: Best 5G coverage nationwide
- TrueMove H: Fastest 5G speeds in major cities
- dtac: Good 5G in Bangkok, expanding to other cities
Internet Speeds You Can Expect
Mobile Internet (4G/5G)
- 4G LTE: 20-80 Mbps typical
- 5G: 100-300 Mbps typical, up to 500+ Mbps in optimal conditions
- Coverage: Excellent in cities, good in most areas
Home Fiber
- Advertised speeds are actual speeds - Thailand fiber delivers what it promises
- Upload speeds: Usually symmetrical (same as download)
- Latency: Very low, 5-20ms within Thailand
Which Provider Should You Choose?
Choose AIS if:
- You want the most reliable coverage everywhere in Thailand
- You'll be traveling to rural areas or islands
- You want the safest, most established choice
Choose TrueMove H if:
- You need the fastest 5G speeds for work (uploads, video calls)
- You're staying mostly in Bangkok or major cities
- You want a good Mobile + Home Fiber bundle
Choose dtac if:
- You're on a tight budget
- You're only staying short-term (best 8-15 day tourist packages)
- You're mostly in Bangkok and don't need extensive rural coverage
Common Questions
Can I keep my number if I switch providers?
Yes, Thailand has number portability. You can switch providers while keeping your number. Process takes 1-2 days.
Do I need a work permit to get a SIM card?
No, tourists can get SIM cards with just a passport. Long-term contracts may require proof of address.
Can I use my SIM in other countries?
Yes, all providers offer international roaming, but it's expensive. Better to buy local SIMs when traveling or use roaming packages (฿199-499 for regional data packages).
What happens if I run out of data?
Speed is throttled to very slow (128 kbps) on unlimited plans. On capped plans, you can top up with additional data packages via the provider app.
Recommended Setup for New Arrivals
- At Airport: Get AIS tourist SIM (best coverage as you settle in) - ฿399 for 28 days
- First Week: Test coverage in your neighborhood, workplace, and usual hangouts
- After 2 Weeks: If happy with AIS, get monthly plan at AIS store or keep topping up tourist SIM
- After 1 Month: Set up home fiber internet (ask building which providers available)
- Consider Bundle: If getting home internet from same provider, ask about Mobile + Fiber bundle discounts
Money-Saving Tips
- Buy SIM cards at 7-Eleven instead of airport (save ฿100-200)
- Use provider apps for best deals - often cheaper than in-store packages
- Compare Bolt vs Grab for internet top-up (Bolt sometimes has cashback)
- Get Mobile + Home Internet bundle if you use same provider
- Tourist SIMs can be better value than monthly plans if you use a lot of data short-term
- Don't pay for more speed than you need - 300 Mbps fiber is plenty for most people
Need Help Getting Connected?
Setting up your phone and internet is one of the first tasks when relocating to Thailand. Our relocation services include:
- Recommendations on which provider suits your needs
- Assistance buying and activating SIM cards
- Help setting up home internet with your building
- Configuring payment methods for easy top-ups
- Setting up mobile banking (required for many Thai services)
Book a free consultation to discuss your Thailand relocation and settling-in needs.