Planning a trip to the Land of Smiles? Whether you’re island-hopping in Phuket, exploring the bustling streets of Bangkok, or trekking through the lush jungles of Chiang Mai, staying connected is essential for modern travellers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best options for pocket WiFi and SIM cards in Thailand, ensuring you can share those envy-inducing beach selfies and navigate the local streets with ease.
SIM Card vs. Pocket WiFi – Which is Right for You?
When it comes to staying connected in Thailand, you have two main options: purchasing a local SIM card or renting a pocket WiFi device. Each has its pros and cons, so let’s break them down:
Feature | Local SIM Card | Pocket WiFi |
---|---|---|
Cost | Generally cheaper | More expensive, especially for longer trips |
Data Limits | Varies by plan, often with high or unlimited options | Usually unlimited |
Device Compatibility | Requires an unlocked phone | Works with any WiFi-enabled device |
Number of Connected Devices | One (unless used as a hotspot) | Multiple (usually 5-10) |
Battery Life | Depends on your phone | 8-12 hours on average |
Ease of Use | Simple once installed | Turn on and connect |
True Unlimited 30-Day SIM Card from 7-Eleven (Best Choice)
Before we explore other options, let’s start with our top recommendation for budget-conscious travellers who want maximum flexibility and value. First of all, do not get the tourist SIM card if you want to save money and are budget travelling (it’s also just a terrible deal, albeit convenient).
I personally use the True SIM Card for all my travels in Thailand. We additionally stress-tested a pocket WiFi device in Thailand, and hotspotting your phone actually provided better results than the pocket WiFi (so keep that in mind).
True Unlimited 30-Day SIM Card
Available at 7-Eleven stores throughout Thailand, this SIM card offers unbeatable value for your baht:
- Price: Approximately 300 THB (about $8-9 USD)
- Data: Truly unlimited 4G/5G data for 30 days
- Coverage: Nationwide on True’s extensive network
- Bonus: Can be used as a mobile hotspot for other devices
Why we love it:
- Convenience: Easy to purchase at any 7-Eleven store, which you’ll find on almost every corner in Thai cities and towns.
- Value: Unbeatable price for unlimited data over a full month.
- Flexibility: Use it in your phone or as a hotspot for your laptop, tablet, or friends’ devices.
- No airport queues: Skip the long lines at airport SIM card counters and get connected as soon as you find a 7-Eleven.
To use this SIM card as a pocket WiFi alternative, simply enable the mobile hotspot feature on your smartphone. This allows you to create a personal WiFi network that other devices can connect to, effectively turning your phone into a pocket WiFi device.
If you can’t hotspot your phone in Thailand, you might find this article useful.
Understanding Thai Mobile Networks
Before we delve deeper into specific SIM card and pocket WiFi options, it’s important to understand the main mobile network operators in Thailand:
- AIS (Advanced Info Service): The largest provider with extensive 4G and 5G coverage.
- True Move H: Known for good urban coverage and competitive pricing.
- DTAC (Total Access Communication): Offers reliable service and tourist-friendly packages.
All three providers offer good coverage in major cities and tourist areas. However, if you’re planning to venture into more remote regions, it’s worth checking coverage maps or asking locals for recommendations.
Best SIM Card Options for Travelers
While the True Unlimited 30-Day SIM from 7-Eleven is our top pick, there are other excellent options depending on your specific needs:
1. AIS Traveller SIM (Cheapest Traveller SIM Option)
- Price: From 299 THB (about $8.50 USD) for 8 days
- Data: 15GB high-speed data, then unlimited at reduced speeds
- Calls: 100 minutes of domestic calls
- Validity: Various packages from 8 to 30 days
2. DTAC Happy Tourist SIM
- Price: From 449 THB (about $12-13 USD) for 8 days
- Data: 15GB high-speed data, then unlimited at reduced speeds
- Calls: Unlimited calls
- Validity: 8 days, with options to extend
3. True Travel SIM
- Price: From 449 THB (about $12-13 USD) for 8 days
- Data: Unlimited high-speed data, then unlimited at reduced speeds
- Calls: 100 minutes of domestic calls
- Validity: Various packages from 8 to 30 days
These SIM cards are readily available at airport kiosks, which makes them quite convenient if you’re just coming for a holiday and you don’t care about the cost. If however, you’re travelling here a long time, you should get the 300 baht unlimited option, it’s just a no-brainer.
You can additionally get the tourist SIM at official stores, and some convenience stores such as 7/11, but if you’re there, you might as well just get the 30-day one.
Best Pocket WiFi Options for Thailand
While we recommend using a local SIM card as your primary connectivity solution, pocket WiFi devices can be an excellent choice for groups or those with multiple devices. Here are some of the best pocket WiFi rental options for Thailand:
1. Samurai WiFi (Best, Cheapest, Longest Battery Life)
- Price: 150THB per day (about $4-5)
- Data: Unlimited 4G data
- Devices: Connect up to 5 devices
- Battery life: 16 hours
- Pick-up/Drop off: Not available at airports, but drop off directly to your acommodation
2. Klook 4G Pocket WiFi
- Price: From 150 THB per day (about $4.30 USD)
- Data: Unlimited 4G data
- Devices: Connect up to 5 devices simultaneously
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
- Pick-up/Drop-off: Available at major airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket)
3. Travel WiFi Thailand
- Price: From 180 THB per day (about $5.15 USD)
- Data: Unlimited 4G data
- Devices: Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- Pick-up/Drop-off: Available at major airports and select hotels in Bangkok
Which Network Has the Best SIM Card in Thailand for Hotspotting?
Here are the best SIM cards in Thailand, ranked in order:
1. AIS – Fastest and Most Reliable
Best for travellers venturing off the beaten path. AIS offers the fastest speeds and the most reliable coverage, with minimal drop-offs in service. You can get an AIS SIM card at the airport or at designated phone shops, which are commonly found in malls throughout Thailand.
2. True – Fast Speeds but Less Coverage
True provides comparable speeds to AIS but with slightly less coverage, especially in extremely rural areas. During our travels through Thailand, including rural villages in Khon Kaen and the mountainous regions in Yala, we experienced nearly 100% coverage. True SIM cards are conveniently available at any 7/11 store, and staff can assist with setup.
3. DTAC – Limited to 4G Speeds and Lesser Coverage
DTAC offers slower speeds and less extensive coverage. Although a recent report suggests that DTAC, True, and AIS now have similar coverage, many users still find DTAC lacking in both speed and coverage compared to the other two networks. It is the cheapest option for tourism SIMs, making it suitable for urban areas.
Personal Experience and Observations
After using both True and AIS in Thailand, we found that AIS stands out for its speed and coverage. We experienced little to no coverage drop-offs with AIS. While we haven’t personally used DTAC, Thai friends consistently rank AIS as the best, followed by True, with DTAC in third place. However, all three networks perform adequately in city areas.
Insights from Opensignal
A recent report from Opensignal indicates that DTAC, True, and AIS now have similar coverage across Thailand, potentially ending AIS’s dominance in this area. However, practical experiences suggest that DTAC still falls short in speed and coverage compared to True and AIS.
AIS
AIS is the best network, offering the widest coverage and fastest speeds. You can purchase AIS SIM cards at the airport or designated phone shops, which are plentiful in Thai malls. The shop assistants will help you with the setup. Below is the AIS coverage map and some speed test results:
- Speed test in a mall directly from a phone
- Speed test using a hotspot in the Grand Sansook Omnoi hotel
True
True offers similar speeds to AIS but with slightly less coverage in rural areas. During our travels in Thailand, we experienced almost complete coverage, with only minor drops in mountainous regions. True SIM cards are available at any 7/11 store, making them very convenient. Below is the True coverage map and some speed test results:
- Speed test on LTE in Bangkok using an iPhone XS Max
- Speed test on a computer hotspot
DTAC
DTAC provides slower speeds and less coverage compared to AIS and True. While recent reports suggest similar coverage among all three networks, real-world experiences indicate that DTAC is still inferior in speed and coverage, particularly outside urban areas. It remains the cheapest option for tourist SIMs, which can be useful in cities. Below is the DTAC coverage map:
We plan to return to Thailand on September 18th and will update this article with speed tests from all three providers. Expect an update in about a month.
I’m Harry – and I was tired of the same old “10 best places I’ve never been but I’m writing about for some reason” blog posts. So… I’m a young traveller on a mission to travel the world and share my true, unfiltered experience, including all the gristly details. From packing my life into one bag for a year, to traveling Vietnam by motorbike, to sorting out Visas for specific countries – I’ve done it all, am doing it all and only give my advice on things I have done – not regurgitated cr*p from another source *cough* most publications *cough*. So bear with us! This project will take some time to grow, and will take a fair bit of money. But I’m determined to make it the single best source of information about traveling on the internet.