Practical
Bangkok SIM Cards and eSIMs
You'll want data from the moment you land — for Grab, maps and translating menus. Getting it is easy; this is how to choose between a SIM and an eSIM.
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You'll want mobile data from the moment you land: for maps, ride-hailing apps like Grab, translating menus and checking opening hours. Getting connected in Thailand is easy and inexpensive. The main choice is between a tourist SIM card bought on arrival and an eSIM set up before you fly.
SIM or eSIM?
| Tourist SIM card | eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Phones without eSIM support; people who want a Thai phone number | Travellers whose phone supports eSIM and who want to land connected |
| Where to get it | Network counters in the arrivals hall, or convenience stores in the city | Online, before you travel |
| Set-up | Staff install it for you; passport required | Scan a QR code or install through an app |
| Keep your home number? | Only if your phone has dual SIM | Yes, on a dual-SIM phone |
Thailand's mobile networks
There are now two main network groups:
- AIS — the largest independent operator, with strong coverage across Bangkok and the country.
- True — TrueMove H merged with dtac in 2023, and the two networks have since been integrated. You may still see both brand names on shop signs and SIM packs.
Coverage across central Bangkok is strong on both. Outside the city, coverage varies by area; if you're travelling to remote places, check maps for the area you're visiting.
Buying a tourist SIM at the airport
- Network counters are in the arrivals halls at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang.
- Bring your passport — all SIM cards in Thailand must be registered, and staff will scan it.
- Tourist packages typically bundle a set number of days with a large or unlimited data allowance and some call credit.
- Staff will usually insert and activate the card for you.
Getting an eSIM
- Check your phone supports eSIM and isn't locked to your home network.
- Buy and install before you fly, while you're on Wi-Fi; activate it when you land.
- Read the details: some eSIMs give you a Thai network directly; others route data through a roaming partner. Check which network you'll be on, the data allowance and whether you get a Thai phone number (most data-only eSIMs don't).
How much data do you need?
For a typical visitor using maps, Grab, messaging, social media and some browsing, around 1–2 GB a day is comfortable. Video calls and streaming use much more. Unlimited tourist plans are common and remove the need to think about it.
Do you need a Thai phone number?
Usually not. Grab and most apps work with your home number for sign-up. A Thai number can help if you want to receive calls from Thai businesses or use some local services that need a Thai number for verification.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and malls, but don't rely on it on the move — mobile data is cheap enough that it's worth having from the start.
For the rest of your first hour in Bangkok, see Bangkok airport to the city.
where to next?
- Bangkok Airport to the CityYour first hour in Bangkok sets the tone. Here is every way into the city from both airports, and a simple way to choose between them.
- Bangkok Travel GuideThe practical layer under every Bangkok trip: how to arrive, how to move, how to pay and how not to get caught out. Entry rules link to official sources, because they change.
- Bangkok BTS and MRT GuideBangkok's trains are fast, cool and clean, and they are the single best way to avoid the traffic. This is everything a visitor needs to use them confidently.