Thailand eSIM vs tourist SIM in 2026: what to buy for a Bangkok arrival

Most visitors to Thailand choose between two ways to get mobile data: an eSIM bought online before the trip, or a tourist SIM from AIS or True-dtac after landing in Bangkok. This guide compares the two with prices taken from each seller's own page, and sets out the arrival steps at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Every price below is dated and linked to the page it came from.

If you are still planning the trip, start with our Thailand country guide and the Bangkok city guide.

The short answer

Buy a tourist SIM from AIS or True-dtac if you want unlimited data at the lowest price, or a Thai phone number. Their 8-day packs cost THB 499 with unlimited data at maximum speed, and they include calls (AIS; True-dtac, as of October 2026). You need your passport, because the number must be registered.

Buy a data eSIM before you fly if you want to be online the moment you land and skip the counter. Airalo's Thailand plans start at USD 4.00 for 1 GB over 3 days. They give you data only: no Thai number, no calls and no SMS.

There is a middle option. AIS sells its tourist SIM as an eSIM on its own website. The page shows prices in USD: the 8-day pack is USD 15.18 (AIS eSIM store, as of October 2026). AIS says you must register the SIM before you use it in Thailand. We could not read the AIS registration steps as text, so check them before you rely on this route.

Airport tourist SIMs: what the counters sell

AIS lists counters at Suvarnabhumi, mostly on the 2nd floor by the baggage claim belts, and two at Don Mueang, listed as "3rd Floor Termainal 2" and "3rd Door Exit 8" (AIS where to buy, as of October 2026). It gives no opening hours. True-dtac says its tourist SIMs are sold "24/7 at airport locations" and at its shops nationwide (True-dtac, as of October 2026). The Suvarnabhumi shop directory on the Airports of Thailand site does not list the operator counters.

Prices as of October 2026, in Thai baht, VAT included:

Three cautions. True's terms put the 10-day Tourist SIM's data "under Fair Usage Policy (FUP)" without stating the limit (True-dtac terms). True's own FAQ prices the 8-day dtac pack at "449 THB", against THB 499 on the price card, so check at the counter. AIS's page mentions no fair-use limit.

Registration. True-dtac's terms say: "The Number must be registered using a valid passport in full compliance with NBTC regulations, with a limit of no more than three SIMs per person per brand" (NBTC is Thailand's telecoms regulator). Validity "cannot be extended via top-up after expiry" (True-dtac terms, as of October 2026). AIS tells tourists to "register your SIM card before use", and to confirm their identity again to keep a tourist SIM beyond 60 days from activation (AIS, as of October 2026). Carry your passport to the counter.

Airalo plans for Thailand

Airalo sells a local Thailand eSIM under the name "Maew". It is a "5G Data-only eSIM" on the True and AIS networks. The plan notes say it "Covers the mainland and islands, including Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and Phi Phi". Prices below are as shown on Airalo's Thailand plans (opens Airalo in a new tab) on 12 October 2026. The page showed USD; you may see another currency depending on where you view it.

Airalo also lists "Unlimited" plans: 3 days USD 9.50, 5 days USD 15.00, 7 days USD 21.00, 10 days USD 31.00, 15 days USD 39.00 and 30 days USD 49.00. Speed drops to 1 Mbps after 5 GB of use per day.

What the numbers say:

• For one week, 10 GB for 30 days costs USD 11.00, only USD 1.00 more than 10 GB for 7 days. The 30-day plan is the safer buy if your dates might change.
• The 7-day unlimited plan (USD 21.00) costs more than twice the 7-day 10 GB plan (USD 10.00).
• Speeds: Airalo lists 5G on both networks but states no speed for fixed-data plans.
• Hotspot: the plan details do not mention it. Airalo's help centre says hotspot works "as long as it is supported by your device and the network" (Airalo Help Center).
• Top-ups: Airalo says the eSIM is "Rechargeable online with no expiry."

Price per day compared

Most tourist SIMs are unlimited, so price per day compares more fairly than price per GB. Figures are our division of the prices above (as of October 2026), in each seller's currency. As a guide, AIS's eSIM page lists its 5-day pack at "Approx 12.14 USD (THB 399.00)".

The pattern: for unlimited data, the operators' packs cost less than Airalo's. AIS's 8-day eSIM (USD 15.18) undercuts Airalo's 7-day unlimited plan (USD 21.00) and includes a Thai number. If 10 GB a week is enough, Airalo (USD 10.00) costs less than the AIS eSIM and skips the counter. True-dtac's 10-day Tourist SIM (THB 349) is the cheapest unlimited pack here, but it lists no calls.

Arrival checklist for Bangkok

1. Fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). The official site says "All passengers must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card" and that foreigners must submit it "3 days in advance of their arrival date" (Thai Immigration Bureau, TDAC, as of October 2026). The Tourism Authority of Thailand gives the same rule: "Register within 3 days before arrival" (Tourism Authority of Thailand). The Royal Thai Embassy in Abuja says "The TDAC is free of charge" (Royal Thai Embassy, Abuja, page dated 14 July 2026). Use the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th.

2. Get online. An eSIM installed at home should connect once your phone finds a Thai network after landing. For a tourist SIM, head for the counters by the baggage belts with your passport.

3. Get into the city from Suvarnabhumi.

• Airport Rail Link: the station is on Level B1 of the main terminal and runs 05:30-24:00 (Airports of Thailand, as of October 2026). We could not find the fare on an official page (the SRT Electrified Train site, srtet.co.th, now covers only the Red Line), so we are not quoting one; ask the Era One Call Center, +66 2 091 1595. The line ends at Phaya Thai, which connects with the BTS Skytrain. If your first night is in Bangkok, hotels near Phaya Thai (opens Booking.com in a new tab) keep you close to the train for the return trip.
• Public taxi: taxis run 24 hours from Level 1, between Gates 4 and 7. You take a queue ticket first. Fares start at THB 35 or THB 40, plus the meter, plus a THB 50 airport surcharge paid to the driver; baggage fees may apply (Airports of Thailand, as above).
• Grab: pick-up is at Level 1, Gate 4 (outer curb), 24 hours (Airports of Thailand, as above).

From Don Mueang. The SRT Red Line's adult fare from Don Mueang station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal is THB 33 (SRT Electrified Train, as of October 2026). Trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat towards Rangsit run 05:00-00:00 (timetable); check the city-bound times on the same page.

Coverage outside Bangkok

Airalo's Thailand eSIM uses both True and AIS. Its plan notes say it covers "the mainland and islands, including Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and Phi Phi". AIS lists tourist SIM counters at Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Samui, Hat Yai and Phuket airports as well as Bangkok (AIS where to buy).

True's network page says its 5G SA network covers all districts in 14 provinces, including Bangkok and Phuket, and lists a further "63 provinces / 747 districts", including Chiang Mai (True, as of October 2026). AIS's 5G coverage page had no list we could read. Without a place-by-place map from either operator, we will not say which network is stronger on a given island or in the north. Heading somewhere remote? Ask at the counter and download offline maps first.

Phone compatibility and setup

Before you fly

1. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to your home carrier. A locked phone will not take a Thai SIM either.
2. For an Airalo eSIM, install it at home over Wi-Fi. Validity starts on first use, not at installation (Airalo lists the activation policy as "first-usage").
3. Save the QR code or install details somewhere offline.
4. Complete the TDAC within 3 days before you land.

On landing

1. Switch mobile data to the Thai line.
2. For Airalo, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line: Airalo lists it as required on both iOS and Android.
3. Turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid roaming charges.
4. Turn off automatic data switching (iPhone: "Allow Cellular Data Switching"). It can quietly use your home SIM when the eSIM signal is weak.

Quick answers

Will I get a Thai number for Grab or bank codes? Not with Airalo's Thailand plan. The plan page calls it a "5G Data-only eSIM" and lists no calls or texts. If you need a Thai number to receive SMS codes, buy an AIS or True-dtac tourist SIM. You can check your number by dialling *545# (AIS) or *833# (True). Keep your home SIM in the phone as a second line for codes from home banks.

Can I make calls? On the AIS and True-dtac Infinite packs, yes: they include calls, as listed above. True-dtac's 10-day Tourist SIM lists no call allowance. On Airalo, use internet calling apps.

How do I top up? Airalo tops up in its app. AIS sells add-ons such as 10 GB for 8 days at THB 90 (dial *777*7106#), through the myAIS app or an AIS Shop (AIS, as of October 2026). True tops up at True Shops and 7-Eleven; after a pack's data period ends, its FAQ quotes THB 1.5 per MB or 3 GB for 8 days at THB 150 (*900*1756#), while the package detail lists THB 2/MB before VAT (True-dtac, as of October 2026).

Can I use dual SIM? Yes, if your phone supports it. Keep your home SIM for calls and texts and use the Thai line for data.

Before you go: checklist

• TDAC submitted within 3 days before arrival, on tdac.immigration.go.th.
• Phone unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
• Choose: eSIM bought in advance, AIS tourist eSIM (register before use), or a tourist SIM at the airport.
• Passport in your hand luggage for the SIM counter.
• Home SIM data roaming off; automatic data switching off.
• Offline maps downloaded for islands and the north.

Sources

Checked on 12 October 2026.

• Airalo, Thailand eSIM plan page: airalo.com/thailand-esim
• Airalo Help Center, "Can I use tethering (Personal Hotspot)?": airalo.com/help
• AIS, SIM & Plans for Tourist: https://www.ais.th/en/consumers/package/international/tourist-plan
• AIS, Where to buy the tourist SIM: https://www.ais.th/en/consumers/package/international/tourist-plan/where-to-buy
• AIS, tourist eSIM store: https://www.ais.th/esim-traveller/#/mealdetail?areaId=56
• AIS, 5G coverage: https://www.ais.th/en/consumers/package/network/5g-coverage
• True-dtac, Tourist SIM and eSIM: https://www.true.th/en/prepaid/sim/tourist
• True-dtac, Tourist SIM terms and conditions: https://www.true.th/en/promotion/prepaid/terms-tourist-infinite-sim
• True, 5G network coverage: https://www.true.th/en/network
• Airports of Thailand, Ways to transport to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport: https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/service/airport-guide/detail/Transportation_BKK
• Airports of Thailand, Suvarnabhumi Shop and Dine directory: https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/service/shop-and-dine
• SRT Electrified Train (Red Line), fare information: https://www.srtet.co.th/en/fare-information
• SRT Electrified Train (Red Line), timetable: https://www.srtet.co.th/en/fare-timetable
• Thai Immigration Bureau, Thailand Digital Arrival Card: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home
• Tourism Authority of Thailand, Guideline Thailand Digital Arrival Card (1 April 2025): https://www.tourismthailand.org/Articles/tdac
• Royal Thai Embassy, Abuja, Thailand Digital Arrival Card (14 July 2026): https://abuja.thaiembassy.org/en/content/thailand-digital-arrival-card-tdac