Reviewed 2026-10-31. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.
Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team A travel eSIM can't support Thai mobile banking, because the SIM used for a banking app must be registered in the account holder's own name. Thailand began enforcing name matching between SIMs and mobile banking accounts in May 2024. Bangkok Bank's October 2026 notice adds one mobile number per person. If you plan to open a Thai bank account, use a travel eSIM for your first days, then get a Thai number registered to your passport.
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This page is for visitors and new arrivals who want data from the moment they land, plus longer-stay readers deciding between a travel eSIM and a Thai SIM. Thailand's networks are strong in cities, and tourist plans are cheap, so the right choice depends mostly on how long you'll stay.
The trade-off is simple. Travel eSIMs install before you fly and skip the airport queue, but they're data-only. Thai carriers' tourist SIMs come with a local number, but you register them in person with your passport.
At a glance
| Best for | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cheap fixed data | Saily Thailand | 10 GB for 30 days at $10.99 |
| Unlimited data | Holafly Thailand | Runs on True/dtac, 1 GB of hotspot a day |
| Thailand plus other countries | Airalo | AIS network in Thailand, regional Asialink option |
| Local number on a short trip | AIS tourist SIM | 15 GB for 8 days at 299 baht |
| Unlimited data with calls | True / dtac tourist SIM | Unlimited data and local calls |
How we chose
- Published price, data and validity.
- The network used in Thailand, where the provider states it.
- Hotspot and "unlimited" policies.
- Whether you get a Thai phone number.
Checked on 31 October 2026.
1. Saily — best for cheap fixed data
Saily's Thailand page lists 1 GB for 7 days at $2.99, 3 GB for 30 days at $5.99, and 10 GB for 30 days at $10.99. Its unlimited plan gives 5 GB a day at full speed, then continues at up to 1 Mbps. Hotspot use is listed as unrestricted, and an unused plan stays valid for 180 days. Saily doesn't name its Thai network partner. It offers an optional US number for calls, not a Thai one.
2. Holafly — best for unlimited data
Holafly's Thailand eSIM runs on True/dtac and was priced at $27.50 for 7 days, $50.50 for 15 days and $73.90 for 30 days. You can share 1 GB a day by hotspot, and Holafly warns that the operator may slow speeds for up to a day in rare cases. It's data-only. True and dtac merged into True Corporation in March 2023, so this is one network group.
3. Airalo — best if Thailand is one stop of several
Airalo's own Asia guide names AIS as its partner network in Thailand. For a multi-country trip, its Asialink plan covers Thailand plus 17 other countries, with 10 GB for 30 days listed at $25 on eSIMDB. Like other travel eSIMs, it has no Thai number.
What would this move really cost you?
Use your own rent, insurance, transport and visa assumptions. Compare options before committing.
4. AIS tourist SIM — best for a local number on a short trip
Thaiger's March 2026 guide lists AIS tourist plans at 49 baht for one day (1 GB), 299 baht for 8 days (15 GB) and 899 baht for 30 days (50 GB). You can buy them at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket and Samui airports, at AIS shops and at 7-Eleven. Expect to show your passport. Thaiger notes that registration includes biometric data and usually takes 5 to 15 minutes.
5. True / dtac tourist SIM — best for unlimited data with calls
According to the same guide, both the TrueMove H and dtac Happy Tourist plans cost 449, 699 or 1,199 baht for 8, 15 or 30 days. They include unlimited data under a fair-use policy and unlimited local calls. A local number helps with Thai delivery apps, landlords and clinics that call or text.
What to check before you decide
- Banking plans: if you'll open a Thai account, you need a Thai SIM in your own name (see the Expert take).
- Stay length: Thaiger reports that tourist SIMs used beyond 60 days need identity re-verification by SMS or in a shop.
- eSIM support: confirm your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
- Hotspot: Holafly caps sharing at 1 GB a day. Saily lists no cap.
- Coverage: islands and national parks vary by network. Check the carrier's coverage map for where you'll be.
FAQ
Do I need to register an eSIM in Thailand?
Thai SIMs, including carrier tourist SIMs, are registered with your passport. Travel eSIMs bought from foreign providers are data-only and don't give you a Thai number.
Can I use a travel eSIM for my Thai bank app?
Not reliably. Banks require the SIM holder, account holder and app user to be the same person. Bangkok Bank says apps may become inaccessible if the numbers don't match.
Which network is best in Thailand?
AIS and True (now including dtac) are the main groups. Airalo uses AIS and Holafly uses True/dtac, so pick based on where you'll spend your time.
Related guides
- Thailand cost of living
- eSIM services for expats
- Best eSIMs for Southeast Asia
- Best banks for expats in Thailand
- Moving to Thailand
- Budget calculator
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