To get online in Thailand, you have three options: a Thailand eSIM from a travel eSIM provider bought before you leave, a « tourist » SIM or eSIM from a Thai carrier (AIS and dtac sell them), or roaming on your home plan, which can be expensive without an add-on, depending on your carrier. Thai carriers must register every line in its user’s name under the rules of the regulator, the NBTC: bring your passport if you buy locally.
This guide compares these options using the official prices checked on 24 October 2026, and explains compatibility, installation and the mistakes to avoid. To plan your trip, see our Thailand guide and the best time to visit Thailand; for the general principle, see our travel eSIM guide.
eSIM in Thailand: key facts
- Roaming: check your home carrier’s roaming charges or travel add-ons for Thailand before you leave.
- Official local plans: AIS (tourist eSIM for 1 to 30 days) and dtac (tourist eSIM for 8 or 15 days).
- Registration: AIS requires the SIM to be registered before use and identity to be reconfirmed after 60 days.
- Phone: must be eSIM-compatible and unlocked.
- Useful number: 1155 (Tourist Police), according to the UK FCDO.
How a travel eSIM works in Thailand
An eSIM is a SIM card built into the phone: instead of inserting a chip, you download a carrier profile via a QR code or an app. A travel eSIM is a prepaid data plan, valid for a set number of days, that runs on a Thai carrier’s network. Providers’ product pages usually state which network they use: check it, as it determines coverage on the islands or in the mountainous north.
The main difference from a Thai carrier’s tourist eSIM is how you buy it: a travel eSIM is bought online in English before you leave, with nothing to do locally; the local plan often gives you a Thai number and unlimited data, but requires identity registration.
Is your phone compatible?
- eSIM: in your settings, look for « Add eSIM » or « Add cellular plan ». Dialling *#06# shows an EID number on compatible devices.
- Unlocking: a phone locked to your home carrier will refuse another provider’s profile. Ask for it to be unlocked before you leave.
- Dual SIM: most recent phones keep your home line active for text messages while the eSIM provides data in Thailand.
Official tourist plans from Thai carriers
We checked the prices published on the carriers’ websites on 24 October 2026. They are shown in baht (THB); full terms are on the carriers’ pages.
| Plan | Validity | Listed price | Data (per the carrier) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIS Tourist SIM | 1 day | 49 THB | 1 GB on 5G/4G, then 10 Mbps |
| AIS Tourist SIM | 5 days | 399 THB | Unlimited, max speed |
| AIS Tourist SIM | 8 days | 499 THB | Unlimited, max speed |
| AIS Tourist SIM | 15 days | 699 THB | Unlimited, max speed |
| AIS Tourist SIM | 30 days | 1,199 THB | Unlimited, max speed |
| AIS Tourist SIM (physical SIM) | 60 days | 1,599 THB | Unlimited, max speed |
| dtac Happy Tourist eSIM | 8 days | 299 THB | Unlimited, 15 GB at full speed |
| dtac Happy Tourist eSIM | 15 days | 599 THB | Unlimited, 30 GB at full speed |
Cost per day: our calculation
Spread over its validity, the AIS plan works out at about 62 THB a day over 8 days (499 ÷ 8), 47 THB over 15 days (699 ÷ 15) and 40 THB over 30 days (1,199 ÷ 30); the dtac eSIM at about 37 THB a day over 8 days (299 ÷ 8) and 40 THB over 15 days (599 ÷ 15). Destination de Voyage calculation based on the prices published by AIS and dtac on 24 October 2026. This cost says nothing about coverage: also compare the network where you are going, and the price of a travel eSIM for the same length of time.
SIM registration: what the carriers say
AIS requires the SIM card to be registered before any use in Thailand, in line with the rules of the NBTC (the telecoms regulator). For a tourist SIM used more than 60 days after activation, the carrier requires identity reconfirmation: send your passport number by text to 4444161 and follow the verification link, or visit an AIS shop. A registered number must also be activated within 60 days of registration.
These rules apply to Thai carriers’ lines. With a travel eSIM from an international provider, the process depends on the provider: read its product page before buying, especially for a long stay.
eSIM, tourist SIM or roaming: which to choose?
| Situation | Best option | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Short stay, night-time arrival | Travel eSIM installed before departure | Thai network used, when validity starts |
| Need a Thai number (taxis, deliveries, bookings) | AIS or dtac tourist eSIM or SIM | Registration with passport |
| Stay of more than a month | AIS 30- or 60-day plan, or a top-up eSIM | Identity reconfirmation after 60 days (AIS) |
| Phone without eSIM | Physical tourist SIM | Unlocked phone |
| Occasional use, need to keep your number | Your home carrier’s roaming | Roaming rate or travel add-on for Thailand |
Installing your eSIM step by step
- At home, check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
- Buy the plan and note when the validity starts: on installation or on first connection in Thailand.
- Install the profile over Wi-Fi (QR code or app) and label the line « Thailand ».
- On arrival, select this line for mobile data, turn on data roaming for this line only if the provider asks you to, and turn off data on your home line.
- Keep your home line active for bank text messages, after checking that receiving them abroad is not charged.
Safety: stay reachable
Thailand has floods during the rainy season. Check conditions in the regions you are travelling through: the UK FCDO advises following local authority advice and Thai Meteorological Department warnings; the Tourist Police can be reached on 1155. A reliable connection also helps you check information on official websites.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a local SIM without your passport on you.
- Going past 60 days with an AIS tourist SIM without reconfirming your identity.
- Choosing the cheapest plan without checking the network used on the islands you are visiting.
- Installing the profile on arrival, without Wi-Fi: do it before you leave.
- Forgetting to turn off data on your home line: that is the line that would charge you for roaming.
- Deleting the eSIM profile mid-trip: many cannot be reinstalled.
Buying an eSIM for Thailand
To choose, compare the Thai network used (AIS, True-dtac or NT depending on the provider), the data allowance, the validity and when it starts, hotspot sharing, whether you can top up and whether you get a local number. A data-only eSIM is enough for most travellers: messaging apps replace calls. Plans and prices change often: check the provider’s page on the day you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Does an eSIM work in Thailand?
Yes. Travel eSIMs run on a Thai network, and the local carriers AIS and dtac sell their own tourist eSIMs.
How much does a tourist eSIM cost in Thailand?
On 24 October 2026, AIS listed 499 THB for 8 days and 699 THB for 15 days; dtac 299 THB for 8 days and 599 THB for 15 days. Check prices on the day you buy.
Do you need a passport for a SIM in Thailand?
For a Thai carrier’s line, yes: AIS requires the SIM to be registered before use, under NBTC rules, and identity to be reconfirmed with your passport number after 60 days.
Will my home phone plan work in Thailand?
Yes, on roaming, but charges vary widely by carrier: check your home carrier’s roaming rates or a travel add-on for Thailand before you leave.
Do you keep your own number with an eSIM?
Yes, if your phone supports two lines: your home line stays active for text messages while the eSIM provides data.
Our sources
- AIS, « SIM & Plans for Tourist » (prices and NBTC registration rules), consulted on 24 October 2026.
- dtac, « Happy Tourist SIM », consulted on 24 October 2026.
- Entry requirements, safety and health checked on 24 October 2026: Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT Newsroom, 1 September 2026: new 30-day visa exemption rules from 15 September 2026; UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Thailand (updated 12 October 2026); U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov: Thailand (last updated August 20, 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026. Carriers’ plans, prices and terms may change: check them on their websites before you leave.
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