Tourist SIM Card in Bangkok, Thailand
▲ Want to get a tourist SIM card in Bangkok?
Overview
There are three main telco providers in Thailand: AIS, DTAC and True Move. They have similar pre-paid data SIM data plans. AIS is the oldest with the most established network.
Purchase of a new SIM card/number
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Purchase Locations
BKK airport, 7-11 convenience stores, and operators’ shops (Central World, Siam Paragon, etc). At the airport, DTAC is beside AIS. If you are facing AIS shop, walk to your right to find Truemov.
Don Mueang Airport (DMG), Bangkok’s budget airport, now has a True Move store. But queue can get ridiculously long.
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1, 2 and 3. You can get AIS SIM here, but it might cost slightly more expensive, depending on the exchange rates. You can walk in and purchase or buy online and collect. Note though, the telcos in Thailand are able to help you put in the SIM card and you can test the connection on the spot.
Those flying AirAsia can buy Tune Talk Tourist Sim at 299 Baht.
Online. You can order online for DTAC and collect at airport.
If you are purchasing offsite (online or on AirAsia), it is a good option if you want to avoid queues. But you may miss out on other telco’s ongoing promotions.
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Good to Know
– Telcos do stock all SIM card sizes from normal, micro SIM to nano SIM.
– Telcos also allow data tethering.
– Some international calls are charged lower than domestic or VoIP call, . For this you have to use certain IDD prefixes: <IDD prefix> <country code> <area code> <local number>
– Normally Thai SIM cards expire 45 days after the last top up, sometimes even sooner for “Tourist Cards”.
– Tip: For those planning to travel a lot and call within Thailand, you may want to consider One-2-call AIS SIM card instead. It seems to have the strongest signal, even in more remote areas; while, True Move seems to lose coverage.
Comparison: SIM Card Plans
1) AIS
For calls and SMS: One-2-call. If you don’t think you are using 1.5 GB of internet during your stay, you can buy AIS SIM Freedom 3G 12call (max 99 Baht) plus an internet data package of 160 MB (50 Baht).
Traveller SIM: www.ais.co.th/roaming/visiting/sim-for-traveller-en.aspx
- Call Singapore at 1.5 Baht/min.
- AIS has a free feature: Home Connect Service (scroll down their website).
– Incoming SMS and calls are forwarded from your home mobile number.
– Though don’t pick up the forwarded incoming call, but return these ‘unanswered call’ by using the 003 or 00300 prefix starting from 2 Baht/minute and 1 Baht/minute respectively.
– This free feature is available for selected telcos in Singapore (Singtel, M1), Japan, Russia and China.
- They have 10 and 30 days internet & call packages as well (ranging from 449 Baht to 1,049 Baht).
- You can also get this SIM card at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1, 2 and 3 (scroll to the top for details).
AIS Other unlimited internet package
2) DTAC
Happy Tourist SIM: www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/products/tourist-sim.html
- Call Singapore at 2.5 Baht/min.
- They have 10, 15 and 30 days internet & call packages as well (ranging from 449 Baht to 1,049 Baht).
- You can order online (scroll to top for details).
DTAC Other unlimited internet package
3) True Move
Tourist Sim: truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/international_service/visit_thailand/en
- The only operator available at Don Mueang Airport (DMG) (scroll to the top for details).
Conclusion
Going as an individual, a couple or group?
Since we will be travelling as a couple, we don’t really need to call each other. But if you are going in a group or foresee yourself going on separate itineraries, it’s good to get AIS unlimited call between the various traveller SIMs.
Unlimited Internet and Speed
We are interested in the unlimited internet offered by the operators. Good option to google map or get our social media fix without worrying it will burst our budget.
Since we will be in BKK for only 5 days, 7-days unlimited internet SIM will suffice. But, AIS’s 199 Baht SIM comes with only 500 MB high speed usage.
So we are considering the 299 Baht SIM for all three operators.
Calling Home (Singapore)
We are unlikely to call home often in our short 5 day stay in Thailand. But just in case of emergencies, it’s always good to get one with cheaper calling rates.
And it seems like international calls for DTAC is slightly higher than the rest.
So we are left with 299 Baht SIM for AIS and True Move. And with AIS SMS and call forwarding service,
Mr S got the AIS 299 Baht SIM and it works fine for us! Mr S phone had the SIM card to call, surf and google map, while I tethered data from him whenever I need the internet :)
Updated 20 March 2016
Other References: prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Thailand
Photo Credit: thegoldengirlblog.com
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hello . i will come to bangkok soon . i will stay for 12 days . i will not use internet often as i will have wifi in my hotel . so may be i will have to make some locals call . last time i have bought the happy tourist at the airport . but its last only for 7 day and can’t be refilled . so i will need a prepaid sim so that i can refilled it when the credit is over .
thanking you
sanjay
Glad the info helped you. :) Enjoy your trip in Bangkok!
1.5GB High Speed Usage
= only the first 1.5GB of data used will enjoy High Speed, thereafter it will be at normal speed.
Thanks for the clarification! :)
I bought a True Sim card and give it as a contact to a merchant in Tha. Now back in Sgp the sim cannot log. Do you know if the roaming is allowed?
Hello Drew,
There’s information for True Move’s international roaming service at this page: http://www3.truecorp.co.th/cm/support_new_content/1527
Hope that helps!
Is this outdated? I just went to a dozen 711s / convenience stores and they don’t have sims (they used to years ago)
Hello Someone,
Please scroll down at this website: http://www.ais.co.th/travellersim.
Depending on the type of AIS traveller SIM you are looking at, you can get SIM from Family Mart and 7-11.
Hope that helps!
But instead of waiting a long queue at the airport, which could take up to 30-45mins, you could also get it at the Airport link PHAYATHAI Station at the Thai Sim kiosk. The service there is much quicker and you will also get provide free bonus and free map of Bangkok there that you cannot get at the airport too. The store is located in the walkway connecting Airport Rail Link Phayathai Station and BTS Phayathai Station. The store is clearly marked with directional signs. I personally recommended.
Thanks for the useful info!