Thailand Tourist SIM: Prices, eSIM and Phuket Tips

A Thailand tourist SIM is the simplest way to stay online in Phuket: AIS and True both sell unlimited-data packages from 499 baht for eight days, and you can pick one up at Phuket International Airport with your passport. Registration takes a few minutes at the counter, the SIM gives you a local Thai number, and it works across the island and at most popular beaches and piers.

Why buy a Thailand tourist SIM instead of roaming?

Home roaming passes from European, American and Australian carriers usually charge a daily fee, so a week of roaming can cost more than a full month on a local plan. A local number is also handy in Phuket for practical reasons. Hotel reception, dive shops, tour operators and drivers often call or message on a Thai number, and ride-hailing apps work more smoothly when the driver can reach you. If you plan to use Grab or Bolt, our Grab vs Bolt in Phuket comparison explains which app suits which trip.

How much does a Thailand tourist SIM cost in 2026?

The two big networks now charge the same baht prices for their main unlimited packages. The figures below come from the operators' own tourist pages, including the AIS tourist SIM page, and include VAT. Prices can change, so check the counter board before you pay.

Validity	AIS	True
1 day	49 baht (1 GB at 10 Mbps)	Not offered
5 days	399 baht	Not offered
8 days	499 baht	499 baht
15 days	699 baht	699 baht
30 days	1,199 baht	1,199 baht
60 days	1,599 baht (SIM card only)	Not offered

AIS packages include unlimited 5G and 4G data, free calls to other AIS numbers, access to AIS Super WiFi hotspots and 100 baht of bonus credit for calls to other networks or abroad through the 00300 prefix. True's unlimited packages include calls to Thai numbers. dtac, which merged with True in 2023 and now shares its network, still sells cheaper capped plans, such as an eight-day package for 299 baht with a fixed amount of high-speed data.

Where can you buy a SIM in Phuket?

The easiest place is the arrivals area at Phuket International Airport, where AIS and True run counters after customs. Staff register the card to your passport, insert it and check that data works before you leave, which saves time if you are heading straight to a taxi rank or the bus stop. Our Phuket airport transfer guide covers the next step.

If you skip the airport, AIS and True shops in the large malls, such as Central Phuket, sell the same tourist packages. Convenience stores sell top-up credit, but the tourist SIM itself is best bought from an operator counter or shop, where registration is done for you.

What do you need to register a SIM card?

Every SIM in Thailand must be registered to the user. For visitors that means the original passport. Since August 2025 the telecoms regulator, the NBTC, has also required a quick face check for new registrations as part of its campaign against scam call centres. At the counter this is just a passport scan and a photo. Keep these rules in mind:

• Limit per person: one passport can register up to three numbers with each operator.
• 60-day rule: AIS says, under NBTC rules, that tourists who want to keep using a tourist SIM beyond 60 days from activation must confirm their identity again, by texting their passport number to 4444161 or visiting an AIS shop.
• Unlocked phone: a phone locked to your home carrier will not accept a Thai SIM, and counter staff cannot unlock it, so ask your carrier before you fly.
• No borrowed SIMs: never use a card registered in somebody else's name; it can be cut off and the number is not legally yours.

Arriving foreigners also need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before landing, which is a separate process; see our TDAC guide for Phuket arrivals.

Is an eSIM a better choice than a physical SIM?

It depends on your phone and your trip. AIS and True both sell tourist eSIM versions of their plans online, so you can set up the line before travelling, although AIS asks you to complete the passport and face check online no more than seven days before departure. International travel eSIM apps are another option. They are usually data only, run on the same Thai networks and install at home, so you land connected and keep your home SIM in the phone for bank text messages.

The trade-off is the phone number. A data-only eSIM has no Thai number, so hotels and drivers cannot call you locally, and you may not be able to dial emergency numbers on it. For a short city break that may not matter; for a two-week trip with island hopping and tours, a full Thailand tourist SIM is often more convenient.

Which network works best around Phuket and the islands?

Both AIS and True cover Phuket's beaches, Phuket Town and the main roads well, and 5G is available in many of the busiest tourist areas. Coverage becomes patchier at sea and in remote national parks. In Opensignal's August 2026 report on Thailand, AIS rated best for coverage and consistency, while the shared True and dtac network recorded the fastest downloads. If your plans include long boat trips, for example to the Surin Islands or Khao Sok, wider coverage may matter more than headline speed.

Tips for using a Thailand tourist SIM in Phuket

• Pick a package slightly longer than your stay; you cannot cheaply extend a tourist package for long.
• Keep the SIM card holder, which shows your number and serial, until you leave.
• Save hotel, tour and embassy numbers in your phone before heading out on a boat day.
• Download offline maps of Phuket in case you lose signal on ferries or mountain roads.
• November weather can bring heavy showers, so keep the phone in a dry bag; see our Phuket weather in November guide.

FAQ

Can I buy a Thailand tourist SIM without a passport?

No. Registration requires your original passport, and new registrations include a short face check. A photocopy or a photo of the passport on your phone is not enough.

Is the airport price higher than in town?

The AIS and True tourist packages carry the same listed prices at airport counters and operator shops, so buying on arrival does not normally cost more.

Will WhatsApp keep my home number?

Yes. WhatsApp stays linked to your existing account when you change SIM, but keep your home SIM in the phone, or a second slot, in case you need to re-verify.

How long does a tourist SIM last?

Packages run from one day to 60 days with AIS. Under NBTC rules, using a tourist SIM beyond 60 days from activation requires a fresh identity check.

Photo: Sry85 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0