SIM Card and Wifi Rental in Thailand

Sawasdee khrap!  (Pronounced as sah-wah-dee kah).

You might already been practicing this famous Thai phrase if planning to explore the wonderful places in Thailand. This simple, yet powerful conversation starter, do not just make you feel belonged while wandering its cities and towns. It is also an effective way to constantly connect to its friendly and polite people even with the presence of language barriers.

Speaking of connection, the best thing ‘to arm’ yourself with knowledge, not just on Thailand’s language but also in its culture and geography, is to secure access to the vastest source of information—the internet.

In this article, know what sim cards are operational in Thailand, which has the best coverage, how and where you can avail it, and which suits your budget and travel needs. Expect to know, too, wifi rentals you can hassle-free book online.

(If planning to visit other countries such as Georgia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam, it is practical to already look for sim cards, data plans and wifi rentals which suit your money and necessities.)

What Sim Card is the Best in Thailand

Thailand has three (3) big sim card giants in the market—AIS (Advance Info Service), True Move H, and DTAC (Total Access Communication). Each have their unique features, but they also have their cons, so comparing and deliberating is the wisest step you can make. It’s normal for sim cards to have pros and cons, such that of sim card options in Taiwan, Georgia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Among the three, AIS and TrueMove H are the top players.

Where and How to Get Sim Cards in Thailand

For tourists, sim cards are usually availed for free at the international airport upon your arrival. For AIS, you can look for a kiosk or a counter in Suvarnabhumi located in the International Arrivals Hall between gate 6 and 7.

If you missed the kiosks, you may visit mobile retail shops and official stores of AIS and TrueMove H nationwide. They are also available at Family Mart and 7-Eleven shops.

Just a friendly reminder, buy only sim cards at official retail stores. There are smaller stalls that might ask you to pay double. To guide you further, look at these sim card packages with their prices and promo.

Booking a Sim Card in Thailand

One of the best ways to secure yourself a sim card, is to book using kkday.com. This online platform provides you hassle free transactions such as bookinfg a tour or a sim card. You can also use this website to look and reserve for sim cards in other countries such as in Taiwan and Vietnam. (There is also another site, klook.com, but only DTAC sim for Thailand is available there as of September 10, 2019. But you can get pretty good deals there, too, if getting sim card for another country.)

Aside from being able to skip the line, you can also access cheaper sim cards there. For instance, the True Move H 8-day sim card which you can get at physical stores for 299 THB (Php 506), is only Php 180 at kkday. To get the sim, you have to book and pay firsts at their site, and pick-up hte sim at the reception counter at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

Read Complete Guide of Things to do in Bangkok

Read Unique Activity to Ayutthaya

Data Plans

Sim card packages are already packed with talk time and data, but in some cases, you might need to top up or register to other promos. Here are the information you need to top up or avail a promo from the two sim cards.

• AIS

Again, why should you choose an AIS sim card? AIS, also known as Advance Info Service, is the topnotcher and the most recommended sim card for tourists, especially those who wish to roam less populated, forested and small towns in Thailand. It is regarded as the best in terms of coverage, being the network provider which has the widest 4G coverage among the three sim card operators.

1. Topping Up. You can top up by first, visiting your nearest Telewiz or FamilyMart store. You may ask for an assistance to staffs at the shops and choose a top-up amount (50 THB, 100 THB, 300 THB, 500 THB, 1000 THB). A notification will be sent to your phone. After which, dial *121* plus pin number provided by the network plus #. You can also use other services via *121#.

How much is the cost for local and international services? AIS will charge you 3 THB per sms, 5 THB per mms, and 1 THB per minute call to local numbers. Meanwhile, 5 THB per sms, 15 THB per mms, and 15 THB per minute call in the Philippines.

1. Internet Packages. If you are attached to the internet and is looking for more data, you may avail the following internet packages provided by AIS. Here are some data plans suited for your period stay and budget:

For other internet tourist packages with an easy activation code, refer to this:

After the maximum speed has been consumed, data speed will reduced to 64 kbps. If you are not enjoying any internet packages, rate is 2 Baht per MB.

• TRUE MOVE H

While AIS holds the best and widest network coverage, True Move H is hailed as the Number 1 Tourist’s Choice Award in Thailand. It claims a worry free internet, free wifi, and lowest call rates. It comes second to AIS in terms of internet speed, but it is a good catch already since it is relatively cheaper than AIS. Here are its combo deals and internet packages.

1. Combo Deals. If you ran out of data or needed more talk time, you may use the following services with an easy activation code:

1. Internet Packages. There would be cases when you only need the data when in Thailand, especially if you are a solo traveler. Here are other plans with 30-day validity and bigger internet plans:

Wifi Rentals in Thailand

Just like in Taiwan and Vietnam, you can rent for a wifi in Thailand, too. It’s easier to avail it, since you can book in klook.com and kkday.com. But first, why consider renting? If travelling in groups, Wifi can be the best option since you don’t have to get sim cards for all. You can just rent for a device powered by AIS, DTAC or TrueMove H. Usually, wifi devices can cater up to five persons. And they can just be carried anywhere you like. Even for solo backpackers in Thailand, you can also consider getting a Wifi device to optimize the battery use of your mobile phone or gadget.

Here are the wifi deals available at klook and kkday which can be picked up at Thailand international airport.

There are other wifi rentals available in both sites, even as low as Php 66 a day, but pick-up and return location are at airports in Hong Kong, Singapore, or Vietnam.

In addition, you have to be very particular with date and time of return. Late return of the device might cause you additional pesos. On top of that, loss and damage of device and other accessories such as charger, means another charge.

Also, it is totally normal if they ask you for a deposit fee, but it will be refunded after you return the device.

Bottom-Line

It’s always more refreshing to have an active line of connection between your friends and family online. Internet access also helps you plan and organize things while in Thailand. But with Thai people beside you in all the country’s destinations, help and guidance is always at hand. They are always friendly, and would always offer you smile and greetings, and of course, practical help. So, always take the opportunity to interact with them for a one-of-a-kind Thailand travel.