When you’re traveling abroad, reliable cell service is basically your superpower. It gets you Google Maps when Bangkok traffic turns into a maze, lets you book a last-minute ferry, and—yes—helps you post that “how is this real life?” temple photo before your friends back home even finish breakfast.

So, let’s make it easy.

What’s the cheapest and easiest way to get cell service in Thailand?

For most travelers, the simplest option is a Thailand tourist eSIM or SIM from AIS or True-dtac (True + dtac). You can buy one at major airports or online and be connected within minutes. Current tourist packages commonly run a few hundred baht depending on days/data (for example, AIS lists an 8-day tourist option at 499 THB, and True-dtac lists tourist options like 10 days at 349 THB).

If your phone is locked (or you’d rather not swap SIMs), you can use U.S. carrier roaming options like Verizon TravelPass ($12/day) or AT&T International Day Pass ($12/day), or add a T-Mobile International Pass for extra high-speed data.

How to Get Cell Service in Thailand

Option 1: eSIM (Easiest—Set It Up Before You Fly)

If your phone supports eSIM, this is the smoothest experience. You can land in Thailand, turn off airplane mode, and you’re online.

Best for: convenience, short trips, people who don’t want to hunt down a booth after a long flight.
Heads up: Some eSIMs are “data-only” (no Thai phone number). If you need a local number for deliveries, bookings, or ride-hailing verification, pick a plan that includes one.

Pro tip: If your phone supports dual SIM (eSIM + physical SIM), you can keep your home number active for texts/2FA while using Thai data for everything else.

Option 2: Buy a Tourist SIM at the Airport (Simple and Fast)

Thailand makes this very traveler-friendly.

If you fly into Bangkok (BKK – Suvarnabhumi / DMK – Don Mueang) or other major airports, you’ll typically see AIS and True-dtac tourist SIM counters around the arrivals area. Travel guides consistently note these airport booths as the easiest “walk-up-and-go” solution.

What it costs: Airport tourist SIMs are usually convenient but not always the absolute cheapest. Still, they’re often in the “worth it” range for most visitors, especially for trips under a few weeks. (Prices vary by promo and airport.)

What you’ll need: Your passport (more on that below).

Option 3: Buy a SIM in the City (Often Cheapest)

If you want the best bang for your buck, wait until you’re checked into your hotel and then buy from:

• an AIS Shop, or
• a True-dtac shop, or
• major convenience stores in tourist areas (staff help varies by location)

This route can offer better deals than airport counters—great if you’re staying longer or want a plan tailored to your real usage.

Where Do I Get a SIM Card in Thailand?

The easiest places:

• Airport booths (fastest setup)
• AIS Shops (nationwide)
• True-dtac Shops (nationwide)
• Online purchase (especially for eSIM)

AIS actively markets its “Lucky Tourist SIM” plans on its official site, and True-dtac actively markets tourist SIM/eSIM options as well—so yes, these services are very much operating and current. AIS

SIM Registration Rules (Important Update)

Thailand has tightened SIM registration rules over the years, and 2025 brought a notable upgrade: the telecom regulator (NBTC) required operators to implement “liveness detection” style verification (real-time photo/video identity checks) for new SIM registrations and SIM swaps—aimed at reducing fraud.

What this means for you as a traveler:

• Bring your passport when buying/activating a SIM.
• Expect staff to register the SIM to your identity (normal process).
• Rules can include limits on how many SIMs foreigners can register per operator.

AIS also notes NBTC-related identity reconfirmation steps for longer use cases on its tourist SIM info pages. AIS

What’s the Best Mobile Network in Thailand?

The “big picture” in 2026

Thailand used to be described as a “three-carrier” market (AIS, dtac, TrueMove H). But True and dtac merged, and True has since worked on full network integration—so for travelers, it’s more accurate to think of two major networks:

• AIS
• True-dtac (True + dtac)

The merger completion and integration have been widely reported.

Which should you pick?

For most tourist itineraries (Bangkok + Chiang Mai + Phuket/Krabi + islands), either AIS or True-dtac will feel “great.”

If you want a simple rule of thumb:

• AIS: often recommended for broad coverage and general reliability (especially if you’ll roam outside major cities) AIS
• True-dtac: strong tourist offerings and widely available SIM/eSIM packages True-dtac

If you’ll be bouncing between cities constantly, don’t overthink it—pick the booth with the shortest line and a plan that fits your trip length.

What If My Phone Is Locked?

If you bought your phone on a carrier installment plan, it may be locked. Here are your realistic options:

1) Ask your carrier to unlock it (best)

If your device is paid off and eligible, requesting an unlock before departure is usually the cleanest solution.

2) Use your carrier’s international plan (easy, but pricier)

Common examples:

• Verizon TravelPass: currently advertised at $12/day in many destinations Verizon
• AT&T International Day Pass: currently advertised at $12/day for one line (additional lines often discounted) AT&T
• T-Mobile International Pass add-ons: options like $5 (1-day), $35 (10-day), $50 (30-day) are listed on T-Mobile’s pass page T-Mobile

3) Buy a basic spare phone locally (longer trips)

If you’re staying a while, buying an inexpensive unlocked phone can sometimes cost less than multiple weeks of roaming fees.

How Do I Call/Text People Back Home From Thailand?

You’ve got lots of great options, and most of them are free on Wi-Fi or cheap on data:

Best apps for travelers

• WhatsApp (global favorite)
• LINE (very popular in Thailand)
• Facebook Messenger / Instagram / Skype / WeChat (all workable)

Calling tips (so numbers actually work)

• To call the U.S.: add +1 before the number
• For someone calling a Thai number: add Thailand’s country code +66

iPhone-friendly tip

If both people have iPhones:

• iMessage and FaceTime usually work great over Wi-Fi or cellular data (just be mindful of your plan limits).

Quick Tips to Avoid “Why Is My Phone Bill $400?” Panic

• Turn off Data Roaming on your home SIM (unless you want roaming).
• If using dual SIM: set Thai SIM for Cellular Data, keep home SIM for calls/texts if needed.
• Ask the booth/store staff to confirm:
  • the plan duration (5/8/10/15/30 days)
  • whether it’s truly “max speed” or “fair use” throttling after a limit
  • whether hotspot/tethering is included (some plans restrict it)

Related Questions

What kind of electrical adapter will I need in Thailand?

Thailand commonly uses multiple outlet types (you’ll most often see Type A, but A/B/C and others are also found). Standard power is ~220–230V at 50Hz.
Most modern phone/laptop chargers support 100–240V automatically (check your charger label), so you usually only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.

What are internet speeds like in Thailand?

Thailand’s internet infrastructure is generally strong—especially for fixed broadband. Speedtest-based reporting has placed Thailand high globally for fixed broadband in recent rankings, and compiled data sources list Thailand with very competitive median fixed broadband speeds.
In plain English: Wi-Fi in hotels/cafes is usually solid, and mobile data in cities is typically fast enough for maps, Grab, streaming, and video calls—with the usual caveats on remote islands or deep rural areas.