Staying connected in Thailand is easy and affordable, but choosing the right mobile plan and internet setup requires understanding the options. Thailand has three major mobile operators, AIS, TrueMove H, and DTAC, each with different strengths in coverage, speed, and pricing. Whether you are visiting for two weeks or moving permanently, this guide covers everything from tourist SIM cards to long-term mobile plans, eSIMs, and home fiber internet with real prices and honest recommendations.
The Three Major Operators: AIS, TrueMove H, and DTAC
AIS, Advanced Info Service, is Thailand's largest mobile operator with the most extensive network coverage, particularly strong in rural areas and along highways. AIS consistently ranks first or second in independent speed tests. Their 4G coverage reaches over 95 percent of populated areas, and their 5G network is expanding rapidly in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and other major cities. AIS is the best choice if you plan to travel outside major cities or need reliable coverage in remote areas like national parks and smaller islands.
TrueMove H, operated by True Corporation, has the strongest network in Bangkok and major urban areas. True's 4G and 5G speeds in Bangkok frequently top independent tests, with average download speeds of 40 to 80 Mbps on 4G and 100 to 300 Mbps on 5G in central Bangkok. True also operates the largest public WiFi network in Thailand with over 100,000 hotspots nationwide, which is a significant advantage. True WiFi is available in most shopping malls, restaurants, and public spaces. However, True's coverage in rural areas is not as strong as AIS.
DTAC, now part of the True Corporation group after a 2022 merger but operating as a separate brand, offers competitive pricing and good coverage in most urban and tourist areas. DTAC often has the cheapest data plans of the three operators. Their 4G coverage is solid in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and along major tourist routes but weaker than AIS in remote areas. After the merger with True, DTAC customers can now roam on True's network in areas where DTAC coverage is weak, which has significantly improved the overall experience.
Tourist SIM Cards
Tourist SIM cards are designed for short-term visitors and offer generous data allowances at competitive prices. They are available at airport kiosks upon arrival, at 7-Eleven and FamilyMart convenience stores, at official operator stores, and through online booking with airport pickup. The AIS Traveller SIM costs 599 THB for 8 days with unlimited data at high speed for the first 15 GB per day then throttled to 128 Kbps, plus 100 THB call credit. It also includes free AIS 5G where available. The TrueMove H Tourist SIM costs 599 THB for 8 days with unlimited data, 10 GB per day at high speed then throttled, plus access to True WiFi hotspots nationwide. The DTAC Tourist SIM costs 499 THB for 8 days with unlimited data, 10 GB per day at high speed, plus 500 THB call credit and free LINE and WhatsApp even after data is used.
For 15-day stays, AIS offers a 899 THB tourist SIM with the same unlimited data structure. TrueMove has a 799 THB 15-day option. DTAC offers a 699 THB 15-day SIM. For 30-day stays, AIS offers a 1,199 THB tourist SIM, TrueMove has a 1,099 THB option, and DTAC offers a 999 THB 30-day SIM. All tourist SIMs include a Thai phone number for calls and text messages. You can top up tourist SIMs to extend them if you decide to stay longer, but the per-unit cost is higher than regular plans.
Where to Buy SIM Cards
At the airport is the most convenient option. All three operators have kiosks in the arrival halls at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in Bangkok, as well as at Phuket, Chiang Mai, and other major airports. Airport prices are the same as elsewhere, and staff will help you install and activate the SIM. This is the easiest option for most travelers. 7-Eleven stores sell SIM cards from all three operators for the same prices, but staff will not help you set them up and you need to activate the SIM yourself by following the included instructions, which are available in English. Official operator stores in shopping malls and on main streets provide full service including SIM registration, plan selection, and technical support. Staff at these stores generally speak some English. Online booking through Klook and 12Go Asia allows you to pre-order a SIM card with airport pickup, sometimes at a 10 to 15 percent discount.
Important: Thailand requires SIM card registration with a passport. You must present your passport when purchasing a SIM card, and the seller will register it using your passport number. This applies to all SIM cards including tourist SIMs. If you buy from 7-Eleven, the cashier will handle the registration using a scanner.
Long-Term Mobile Plans for Expats
If you are staying in Thailand long-term, prepaid monthly plans offer the best value. These auto-renew each month from your prepaid balance. AIS Monthly Max plans start at 299 THB per month for 30 GB of data plus unlimited calls and SMS on the AIS network. The 499 THB per month plan gives you 50 GB plus unlimited calls and SMS. The 799 THB per month plan includes 100 GB plus unlimited YouTube and social media. The top plan at 999 THB per month gives unlimited data with the first 150 GB at full 5G speed.
TrueMove H offers similar plans. The True Move H 299 THB plan includes 20 GB plus unlimited social media. The 499 THB plan gives 40 GB plus unlimited YouTube and social media. The 699 THB plan includes 60 GB plus unlimited entertainment apps. The 899 THB plan provides unlimited data with 100 GB at full speed. All True plans include access to True WiFi hotspots.
DTAC plans tend to be the cheapest. The Happy 299 plan includes 30 GB plus unlimited calls. The 499 THB plan gives 60 GB plus unlimited social media and YouTube. The 699 THB plan offers unlimited data with 80 GB at full speed. After the True-DTAC merger, DTAC users can access True's WiFi hotspots as well.
To set up a long-term plan, buy a regular prepaid SIM card for 49 to 99 THB, register it with your passport, then dial the USSD code or use the operator's app to subscribe to your chosen monthly plan. Top up your balance at 7-Eleven, through the operator's app, or via online banking. Plans auto-renew monthly if you have sufficient balance. One tip for long-term expats: set up auto-top-up through your banking app or the operator app to avoid service interruptions. If your balance drops below the plan price on the renewal date, the plan will not renew and you will be charged pay-as-you-go rates, which are significantly more expensive per megabyte. Most operators send a reminder SMS a day or two before renewal, so you have time to top up. Another option is to maintain a buffer of 100 to 200 THB above your plan cost to account for any unexpected charges or slight price increases.
For most remote workers and long-term expats, the 499 to 799 THB monthly plans provide more than enough data for daily use, with the added benefit of unlimited social media and YouTube on many plans. If you regularly use your phone as a mobile hotspot for your laptop, consider the higher-tier plans with larger full-speed data allowances.
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eSIM Options
eSIMs are increasingly available in Thailand and are the most convenient option for phones that support them. AIS offers eSIM for both tourist and regular plans through their AIS eSIM app or at AIS stores. TrueMove H offers eSIM at True shops and through their app. DTAC offers eSIM at DTAC shops. You can also purchase eSIMs from third-party providers like Airalo, which offers Thailand eSIMs starting at 5 USD for 1 GB valid for 7 days, 15 USD for 5 GB valid for 30 days, and 27 USD for 10 GB valid for 30 days. Nomad eSIM offers similar pricing. The advantage of third-party eSIMs is convenience since you can purchase and activate them before arriving in Thailand. The disadvantage is that they are data-only with no Thai phone number.
If you need a Thai phone number for local calls, food delivery apps, or banking verification codes, a physical SIM or operator eSIM is necessary. Many long-term expats use both: a Thai physical SIM for their local number and banking needs, plus a third-party eSIM or their home country SIM as a secondary line.
Home Internet: Fiber Broadband
For expats setting up a home or office, Thailand has excellent and affordable fiber broadband. AIS Fiber offers speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. The 200 Mbps plan costs 590 THB per month. The 500 Mbps plan costs 790 THB per month. The 1 Gbps plan costs 990 THB per month. Installation is free with a 12-month contract. AIS Fiber is available in most Bangkok condos and in major cities. Coverage can be limited in older buildings and rural areas.
True Fiber offers similar speeds and pricing. The 200 Mbps plan costs 590 THB per month. The 500 Mbps plan costs 790 THB per month. The 1 Gbps plan costs 890 THB per month. True also offers bundled packages with TrueVisions TV and True ID streaming from 790 THB per month. True Fiber is available in many condos and houses in Bangkok and major cities. True has the widest fiber coverage of any provider in Thailand.
3BB, operated by Jasmine International, is a third major broadband provider. Their 200 Mbps plan costs 490 THB per month. The 500 Mbps plan costs 690 THB per month. The 1 Gbps plan costs 890 THB per month. 3BB is popular in condos where AIS and True are not available and offers competitive pricing.
To set up home internet, contact the provider's call center or visit a service center. You will need your passport and a copy of your lease agreement or a letter from your landlord. Installation typically takes 3 to 7 days. Many Bangkok condos already have fiber connections installed in each unit, so activation can be done within 24 hours. Rural areas and older buildings may require a technician visit, taking 5 to 14 days. When choosing between providers, check with your condo building management or landlord first, as many buildings have exclusive agreements with a single provider. In this case, you may not have a choice, but the service is typically still good. If you have the option to choose, AIS Fiber generally receives the highest customer satisfaction ratings for reliability, while True Fiber offers the best bundled deals if you also want television service. 3BB is often the best value for standalone internet at the fastest speeds per baht.
Typical Internet Speeds by City
Bangkok offers the fastest internet in Thailand, with fiber speeds of 200 Mbps to 1 Gbps widely available and 5G mobile speeds of 100 to 300 Mbps in central areas. Chiang Mai has good fiber coverage in the city center and Nimman area with speeds of 100 to 500 Mbps. Mobile 4G speeds average 20 to 50 Mbps. Phuket has fiber in most developed areas at 100 to 500 Mbps. Mobile speeds are good in tourist areas but can drop in hilly interior areas. Koh Samui has fiber along the main ring road and in populated areas at 100 to 300 Mbps. Smaller islands like Koh Tao and Koh Phangan have more limited fiber but good 4G coverage at 10 to 30 Mbps.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your mobile data is slow, try switching between 4G and 5G in your phone settings, as 5G signals can be weaker indoors and your phone may connect to a distant 5G tower instead of a closer 4G one. Restart your phone regularly to refresh the network connection. If you cannot access certain websites, it may be due to Thai internet regulations. Some gambling and adult content sites are blocked by Thai ISPs. Using a VPN bypasses these restrictions and is legal for personal use. If your fiber internet drops frequently, contact your provider's technical support. AIS Fiber support can be reached at 1175, True Fiber at 1243, and 3BB at 1533. Most providers offer English-language support.
VPN Recommendation
Using a VPN in Thailand is recommended for privacy, accessing geo-restricted content like streaming services from your home country, and securing your connection on public WiFi. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all work well from Thailand with speeds sufficient for streaming. Expect to pay 100 to 200 THB per month for a quality VPN service. Install the VPN on all your devices before arriving in Thailand.
Key Takeaways
For short visits, buy a tourist SIM at the airport for 499 to 599 THB. For long-term stays, get a regular prepaid SIM and subscribe to a monthly plan for 299 to 999 THB depending on data needs. AIS has the best rural coverage, TrueMove has the best urban speeds and WiFi hotspots, DTAC offers the lowest prices. eSIMs are convenient for eSIM-compatible phones. Home fiber internet costs 490 to 990 THB per month and takes 3 to 14 days to set up. Budget 500 to 1,000 THB per month for mobile and home internet combined. Thailand's internet infrastructure is modern and affordable, and staying connected is one of the easiest aspects of living in or visiting the country. For remote workers who need reliable connectivity for video calls and large file transfers, check our internet speed guide for detailed speed data by city.
