Thailand SIM Card for Tourists: AIS vs True-dtac Prices & Registration

Thailand tourist SIMs are easy to find at major airports, operator stores and other official sales channels. Current tourist packages from AIS and True-dtac cover short holidays through month-long stays, with passport registration required before use.

Headline prices are only one part of the decision. Trip length, outgoing calls, registration, where you buy the SIM and whether you want to deal with a physical card after landing all matter.

Thailand Tourist SIM Prices at a Glance

Prices and published package terms checked on September 3, 2026. Operator prices, SIM fees, activation charges, retailer pricing and package conditions may change, so confirm the final amount before paying.

AIS and True-dtac publish the package prices above, but their tourist pages do not consistently break out every possible physical-SIM, starter-card or activation charge. Treat the table as a comparison of published package prices rather than a guaranteed final counter total.

Visitors who prefer to arrange mobile data before departure can check Thailand eSIM plans instead of depending on local SIM stock, registration or store opening hours after arrival.

Can Tourists Buy a Local SIM Card in Thailand?

Yes. Both major tourist-product groups sell prepaid services designed for international visitors.

AIS markets its Lucky Tourist SIM range specifically for people visiting Thailand. True-dtac also maintains a dedicated tourist lineup and requires valid passport identification during registration.

Thai mobile registration rules apply even to short stays. Foreign visitors should expect passport verification, while some self-registration routes also use facial verification.

Physical SIM buyers should keep their passport accessible during purchase and make sure the phone is carrier-unlocked before traveling. Local registration does not override a handset lock imposed by a home operator.

AIS Lucky Tourist SIM: Current Plans and Trip Fit

AIS keeps its tourist range relatively simple, with packages covering short stays through longer visits. The current official lineup includes 5-, 8-, 15-, 30- and 60-day options.

8-day AIS Tourist SIM — THB 499

The 8-day package is the main AIS benchmark for a one-week holiday. Published benefits include unlimited mobile data at the package's stated maximum speed, calls within the AIS network and bonus credit that can be used for eligible calls.

Seven- or eight-night trips fit the validity closely without paying for a longer package.

15-day AIS Tourist SIM — THB 699

Two-week itineraries line up naturally with the 15-day product. The package keeps the same general tourist-SIM structure while extending validity to cover a typical 10- to 14-night trip.

Paying THB 200 more than the 8-day option almost doubles the usable period.

30-day AIS Tourist SIM — THB 1,199

Three- or four-week trips fit the 30-day package better than buying a short tourist SIM and then relying on extensions.

AIS also publishes a longer 60-day tourist option. Longer stays deserve extra attention because continued use can involve additional identity-verification requirements rather than functioning exactly like an ordinary resident prepaid line.

AIS states that registration is required before a tourist SIM can be used in Thailand.

True-dtac Tourist SIM: Infinite Plans and a 10-Day Data Option

True and dtac now sit within the same True Corporation tourist-product structure. Treating them as two fully separate national tourist ranges can therefore give visitors an outdated view of the market.

The current True-dtac tourist SIM page lists Infinite products for 8, 15 and 30 days alongside a lower-priced 10-day data-focused package.

10-day data-only SIM — THB 349

Price-sensitive visitors should notice this package first. The plan includes unlimited mobile data for 10 days, while outgoing voice, SMS and MMS are disabled under the published terms.

Incoming communication remains supported according to the current product information. Domestic benefits apply within Thailand, while prepaid international roaming is not included with this specific tourist package.

Trips centered on maps, messaging, ride-hailing, social apps and browsing may fit this product well when normal outgoing phone calls are unnecessary.

8-, 15- and 30-day Infinite SIMs

True-dtac currently lists Infinite tourist packages at THB 499 for 8 days, THB 699 for 15 days and THB 1,199 for 30 days.

Published benefits include unlimited mobile data at the package's stated maximum speed and local calling benefits subject to the operator's conditions. International-call benefits can differ depending on the product variant.

Some older True pages have displayed a different 8-day tourist price from the dedicated current tourist page. Checking the dedicated tourist offer and the amount shown at the final purchase stage is safer than relying on an older promotional page.

Where to Buy a SIM Card in Thailand

Official operator channels are the safest place to start when you want a current tourist package and help with registration.

AIS sales channels commonly include:

• AIS Shops

• official tourist-SIM counters

• major international airports

• selected authorized sales points

• AIS eSIM purchase for compatible devices where available

True-dtac sales channels commonly include:

• True service centers

• dtac service centers

• airport counters

• official online channels

• tourist eSIM options for eligible products and devices

Airport availability is useful after a long flight, but a national SIM guide should not turn one airport's counter layout or opening hours into a Thailand-wide rule.

Bangkok passengers arriving at BKK can use Suvarnabhumi Airport SIM card prices for terminal-specific purchasing details.

Stock and the exact final price can vary by sales channel. Operator package prices should therefore be separated from any retailer-specific or airport-specific charge unless the seller clearly publishes the full amount.

Thailand SIM Registration: Passport and Face Verification

Registration is required before a newly purchased tourist SIM can be used normally.

True-dtac's current self-registration process includes several clear steps:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and open the registration process.

2. Scan the SIM barcode or enter the SIM number.

3. Scan the passport used for registration.

4. Review the extracted passport details.

5. Complete facial verification.

6. Accept the terms and finish registration.

The official True-dtac tourist SIM registration guide explains the process in detail.

True-dtac also publishes limits on how many tourist SIMs can be registered to one person under the applicable brand rules.

AIS requires tourist-SIM registration before use and supports passport verification for foreign visitors. Store assistance remains useful when self-registration does not work or when the buyer prefers staff to handle the process.

Thailand's telecom regulator has also tightened controls around foreign-user SIM registration. The NBTC registration notice is the relevant official reference for those rules.

Keeping the same passport used during registration available throughout the trip can simplify later identity checks if they are requested.

Local SIM or Roafly eSIM?

Local tourist SIMs make the most sense when a Thai phone number, local calling or a very large tourist data allowance matters.

Roafly takes a different approach. Current owner-verified Thailand packages include 10GB for $10.00 with 30 days validity on TrueMove H + DTAC, 20GB for $16.00 with 30 days validity on TrueMove H + DTAC, and 50GB for $18 with 10 days validity on TrueMove H. These are standard prices rather than coupon prices.

Roafly's Thailand plans discussed here are data-only. Hotspot and tethering are supported across the purchased data allowance, with no separate hotspot quota.

Practical differences are straightforward:

• setup can be handled before travel;

• no physical SIM swap is required;

• the primary SIM can remain in the phone;

• local store stock and opening hours are less relevant;

• hotspot use is supported within the purchased data allowance.

Network listings should not be interpreted as automatic switching, guaranteed coverage, guaranteed speed or network priority. The verified Roafly information only confirms which local networks are listed for each package.

People comparing travel-eSIM providers rather than physical Thai SIMs can use best eSIM options for Thailand. Broader choices such as roaming, Wi-Fi and local SIMs belong in ways to get internet in Thailand.

What About Coverage and 5G?

AIS and True-dtac both market modern mobile-network access with their current tourist products, but network branding does not mean every phone will receive the same connection in every place.

Actual service depends on device compatibility, local network conditions, congestion and location. Remote islands, mountain areas, dense city blocks and indoor locations can all produce different results.

Detailed nationwide network rankings belong in a dedicated coverage comparison rather than a tourist-SIM buying guide. Package validity, price, calls and the easiest purchase route are usually more useful at the checkout stage.

Which Thailand SIM Is Best for Your Trip?

Trips around one week: AIS and True-dtac both publish 8-day tourist packages at THB 499. Included calling benefits and the easiest purchase channel can break the tie.

Trips around 10 days without outgoing calls: True-dtac's THB 349 data-only tourist package stands out on published price.

Trips around two weeks: AIS and True-dtac both list 15-day packages at THB 699, so package benefits and buying convenience matter more than headline price.

Trips around one month: Both groups publish 30-day tourist packages at THB 1,199.

Trips needing a Thai number or local calls: Local AIS or True-dtac service is the more suitable category because the verified Roafly Thailand plans are data-only.

Trips where arrival convenience matters most: Roafly removes the need to buy and register a physical SIM after landing, provided the phone supports eSIM and the selected data allowance fits the trip.

FAQ

Do tourists need a passport to buy a SIM card in Thailand?

Yes. Current operator procedures require passport-based identification for foreign tourist SIM registration.

True-dtac's self-registration process includes passport scanning and facial verification. AIS also requires tourist SIM registration before use.

Does a Thailand tourist SIM include a local phone number?

Local operator SIMs provide Thai mobile service and may include voice features depending on the selected package.

True-dtac's 10-day data-only option is an important exception because outgoing voice is disabled. Roafly's verified Thailand packages discussed here are data-only and should not be purchased with the expectation of local calling service.

Can I buy a Thailand SIM at Bangkok airport?

Yes. Major Thai operators maintain tourist sales channels at Bangkok airports.

Exact counter locations, opening hours, available packages and final airport pricing can change, so airport-specific information should be checked separately.

Is the cheapest tourist SIM always the best option?

No. True-dtac's THB 349 10-day plan has a lower published price than the main Infinite packages, but outgoing calls are disabled.

Someone who expects to make ordinary local calls may prefer a voice-enabled tourist package even if the published package price is higher.

Can I use a tourist SIM for a long stay?

Long stays need more care than a normal holiday purchase. Tourist products can have validity and identity-reconfirmation rules that differ from regular resident prepaid service.

Visitors staying well beyond the initial tourist package should check the operator's current registration and continued-use requirements instead of assuming that ordinary top-ups extend every benefit indefinitely.

Final Recommendation

Thailand's tourist-SIM market is most useful to compare as AIS versus True-dtac rather than as three separate legacy operators.

Eight-, 15- and 30-day published prices are currently very similar. True-dtac's THB 349 10-day data-only package creates the clearest lower-cost local option when outgoing calls are unnecessary, while AIS and the True-dtac Infinite range remain stronger fits when local voice benefits matter.

Local SIMs are the better category when a Thai number, local calls or a large tourist allowance is important. Roafly is more practical when the priority is arranging mobile data before arrival, keeping the primary SIM in place and avoiding a physical SIM purchase after landing.

Roafly publishes this guide and offers the travel-eSIM alternative discussed above.