Mobile Internet in Thailand – Best Options, Prices & Data Plans

Staying in touch while on the move is not only convenient in today's digital era, it's essential. Thailand, being one of Asia's leading tourist havens, hosted over 40 million overseas tourists in 2023. From Bangkok's busy streets to Phuket's idyllic beaches and Chiang Mai's cultural hotspots, mobile internet becomes an indispensable part of an effortless travel experience. 

 Tourists have to depend on mobile connectivity for all aspects: finding one's way through busy cities through Google Maps, arranging transportation, talking to people on the ground or family members, and socializing on social media sites. Without an assured internet connection, a day excursion can become an anxiety experience, particularly for newcomers who have to maneuver through an unfamiliar nation. 

How to Get Internet in Thailand as a Traveller 

 Staying in contact whilst travelling in Thailand helps to find one's way round city streets, book tours, and remain in touch with family or business partners. There are differing options to access mobile internet in Thailand, ranging from travel style to needs. Employing home carrier roaming for short-stay travel, keeping one's number, it can, however, prove expensive. Purchasing a Thailand SIM card or SIM Card Thailand provides low-cost high-speed data and local number, ideal for long-stay travel.  

 For seasoned travellers, an eSIM Thailand provides instant online activation, no physical SIM, ideal for multi-country travel, most convenient choice. Otherwise, rent a Pocket WiFi and connect an unlimited number of gadgets simultaneously, and public WiFi can be accessed readily throughout cities and tourist areas. 

 The best choice relies on length of stay, data consumption, and device support. On short visits, traveling with your Indian SIM card may be adequate, but for long visits or digital expats, a SIM Card Thailand or ZetSIM eSIM Thailand provides stable connectivity throughout Thailand. Groups or business travelers visiting as a family can have an advantage in having Pocket WiFi to support multiple devices at once without having to switch SIMs.  

Roaming with your Local Carrier in Thailand 

 For travelers who do not wish to have to exchange phones and numbers, roaming under your home carrier in Thailand is an easy option. Roaming provides access to mobile internet, voice, and text messaging just as at home. It has the benefits of not having to keep your number and not having to change SIMs, but it can be costlier than local options like SIM Card Thailand or eSIM Thailand. 

 Roaming proves most useful during short visits, emergencies, business travel, or whenever there is an instant need for connectivity and you do not want to head to a store. However, it lessens in popularity during long travel or those who access internet frequently. 

Roaming in Thailand Using Indian SIM Cards 

1. Vi (Vodafone Idea) 

 Vi provides Thailand international roaming plans in the form of daily and weekly packs. 

 Pricing - Daily pack ₹749/day (1GB high-speed data), 7-day prepaid pack ₹3,495. 

2. Airtel  

 Airtel offers daily Roaming Pack, which offers inclusive data and call. 

 Pricing - ₹849/day for 1GB of high. 

3. Jio 

 Its travel plans also provide day packs, best suited to small excursions. 

 Pricing - ₹999/day, 1GB high-speed data, unlimited voice, and messages. 

Pros of Roaming in Thailand 

•  Keeps active your present number, convenient for business and private communication. 

•  Instant internet access without needing to purchase a Thailand SIM card or eSIM. 

•  Simple setup, works as soon as you land. 

 Cons of Roaming in Thailand 

•  High costs make it unsuitable for long-term use. 

•  Restrictive high-speed data (average 1GB/day), not enough to support heavy surfing and streaming.  

Buy a SIM Card for Thailand 

 Among the best value and most dependable ways to stay in contact during travel in Thailand is to buy a Thailand SIM card. Whether it's for short days or months, a Thailand SIM Card means you can access rapid 4G and 5G speeds to navigate around, book rides, access translation software, and stay in touch with family and peers. While international roaming can cost ₹700–₹1,000 per day, fantastic value can be had in a local SIM Card Thailand, which commonly includes enormous data allocations at just a small fraction of this amount. 

Where to Purchase SIM Card in Thailand 

•  Airports – (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang) Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket airports offer AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove booths. English speakers will assist in plan selection. 

•  Convenience Stores - 7-Eleven and Family Mart offer tourist SIM cards and can assist in activating them. 

•  Mobile Shops & Malls - Official AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove stores at malls such as MBK, Terminal 21, or Central World have more plans to choose from.  

•  Buying at the airport is best if you desire to have an absolute guarantee to have connectivity as soon as you arrive in Bahrain.  

Major SIM Card providers in Thailand 

 Thailand has three leading telecom operators who offer tourist SIM cards — AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove H. All have fast-speed 4G/5G internet, free social media allowance on some plans, and decent national coverage. 

1. AIS (Advance Info Service) 

 AIS has been Thailand's most dominant telecom operator and is known to have good speeds and excellent coverage, including rural coverage. 

 Popular tourist SIM - 8-day plan, 15GB high-speed data + unlimited basic data. 

 Price - Around ฿299–฿449 (~$8–$13). 

 Speed - 4G/5G up to 200. 

 Extras - Unlimited free calls to AIS numbers, some plans have unlimited free roaming in near countries. 

2. DTAC 

 DTAC provides competitive tourist SIM plans and is renowned due to comparatively lower prices compared to AIS. 

 Popular Visitor SIM - 15-day plan, 30GB data. 

 Price - About ฿599 (~$16. 

 Speed - High-speed 4G/5G network, slower than AIS in rural areas. 

 Extras - Free long-distance calling to certain countries for first few minutes. 

3. TrueMove H 

 TrueMove has excellent coverage in cities and is known for its strong 5G speeds. 

 Popular Holiday SIM - 8-day unlimited data plan, 5GB high-speed before throttling. 

 Cost - About ฿299 (~$8. 

 Speed - One of Thailand's quickest 5G speeds. 

 Extras - Includes unlimited WiFi at TrueMove hotspots. 

Why Choose a SIM Card for Thailand 

•  Cost Savings - Plans start as low as ฿299 (~$8), making it far cheaper than paying ₹749–₹999/day for roaming. 

•  Reliable Speeds - 4G/5G speeds average 50–200 Mbps in cities, perfect for streaming and video calls. 

•  Flexibility - Multiple plan options (7, 15, 30 days) depending on how long you stay. 

•  Convenience - Easy to buy, instant activation, no paperwork other than a quick passport check. 

How to Buy the Best eSIM for Thailand 

 eSIM technology has been one of the most hassle-free means to remain in touch during vacation. An eSIM Thailand is an in-phone digital SIM card whereby you can have a data plan activated without having to use a physical SIM. The good news? You can keep your regular SIM active for texts and phones and leave the eSIM Thailand solely for data. 

 Purchasing an eSIM Thailand is an entirely online process. You just go to one of the provider's sites, select a plan, pay securely online, and receive a QR code through an email. Scanning this QR code through your cell phone activates your data plan on the spot. 

 Advantages of an eSIM in Thailand 

•  Changing over to an eSIM in Thailand has numerous advantages and renders physical SIM and roaming obsolete in most ways: 

•  Instant Activation - Not necessary to visit shop — activate plan prior to travel and have internet once you arrive at destination. 

•  Dual SIM Capability - Have your primary SIM active for calling, Internet banking OTPs, and WhatsApp, and keep your eSIM active for data. 

•  No SIM Swap - It would be impossible to lose your home SIM card or lose it during travel. 

•  Flexible Plans - Select from several data packs to match your stay duration and consumption. 

•  Multi-Country Connectivity - Ideal for travelers who visit multiple Asian nations; switch to another data pack over-the-air.  

ZetSIM - The Best eSIM for Thailand 

 For travelers to have an ideal eSIM in Thailand, ZetSIM by Zetexa would be very much recommended as one of their options. ZetSIM has competitive prices, stable 4G/5G, and simple activation. It's targeted at tourists, digital nomads, and business travelers who would want an uncomplicated internet access without having to find a Thailand SIM card when they arrive. 

 Why ZetSIM is the best option for Internet in Thailand 

•  There are several reasons why ZetSIM eSIM Thailand is better than physical SIM Card Thailand or international roaming: 

•  Better Value - The ZetSIM plans also begin at an affordable $5, significantly less than ₹749–₹999/day for roamer rates. 

•  High-speed network - Get access to Thailand's fastest 4G/5Gnetworks for seamless video calling, navigation, and uploads. 

•  Convenience - No queues, paperwork, and no possibility of losing home SIM card. 

•  Several Countries - When traveling through Southeast Asia, it's possible to top-up or swap plans without needing to purchase new SIM cards. 

•  Environmentally Friendly - Since eSIMs are virtual, they minimize plastic-related waste due to physical SIM manufacturing. 

•  By choosing ZetSIM eSIM in Thailand, you ensure yourself stable connection, cost savings, and utmost convenience, and this renders it our highest recommendation for tourists and business travelers alike. 

Rent Pocket WiFi in Thailand 

 A Pocket WiFi router is a compact router that can offer internet access to several gadgets at one time. It is an ideal choice for travel groups or family travelers. 

Providers and Costs: 

 SmileWiFi - Offers rentals starting at $6/day (~₹500). 

 ThaiSims: Offers unlimited 4G Pocket WiFi from $1/day (~₹80). 

Benefits of Pocket WiFi  

• To connect multiple devices (up to 8). 

•  Excellent for family or large groups. 

•  No need to change SIM cards. 

Cons of Pocket WiFi