Mobile internet in Thailand: AIS or True, eSIM or tourist SIM?

Updated October 30, 2026

From Grab and Bolt in Bangkok to ferry times to the islands: in Thailand your phone is your travel guide. Mobile internet there is fast, as long as you are on one of the two big networks.

AIS or TrueMove H?

Thailand has two big networks: AIS and TrueMove H. True merged with dtac in 2023, so dtac is now part of the True group. Both networks are strong. In Opensignal’s Thailand report (August 2026), True won for download speed and reliability. Our Thailand eSIM runs on True, as a Thai SIM with no detour through servers abroad. Hotspot is included.

Tourist SIM at the airport or eSIM?

• Tourist SIM at the airport: the counters at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang are easy to find, but there is often a queue, you need your passport and you have to swap your SIM card.
• Roaming from home: convenient, but daily passes add up quickly on a two-week trip.
• eSIM: buy it before the trip, scan the QR code in Thailand and skip the queue. Your home SIM stays in the phone.

Which plan suits you?

• 8 days unlimited: for short trips with lots of streaming, video calls and uploads.
• 10 days, 50 GB: enough for most travelers. After 50 GB the speed drops to 384 kbps, so messaging still works.

You can check your usage at any time by dialing *900#.

Tips for your arrival

• Install the eSIM once you are in Thailand, for example on the airport Wi-Fi. The QR code must be scanned within 15 days of purchase and works only once.
• Check before the trip whether your phone supports eSIM: eSIM check.
• Step-by-step for iPhone and Android: installation guide.

See the Thailand eSIM plans on True.