Bangkok
SIM providers, plans, and activation tips.
You'll find that buying a SIM at 7-Eleven is a fast and simple way to get started, with tourist plans from AIS and True Move available for 299-399 THB. Most newcomers don't realize that these tourist SIMs expire in 30 days, so you'll need to upgrade to a non-tourist plan at an operator store like MBK Center once you have a local address. Watch out for hotspot usage, as it can quickly drain your daily quota. For longer stays, consider AIS for its reliable 5G coverage, or True Move's unlimited plan for 399 THB/month. To get started, head to any 7-Eleven today and purchase a tourist SIM for 299-399 THB, a convenient first step in getting connected in Bangkok.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Any 7-Eleven · Experience date Apr 1, 2026
Every 7-Eleven sells AIS and True Move tourist SIMs. They're in a rack near the counter, cost 299–399 THB, and are already activated. Staff just scan the barcode, you show your passport, done in 3 minutes. The plans are identical to airport and operator stores. Good for immediate setup if you can't get to an airport store counter.
MBK Center or any operator store · Experience date Apr 5, 2026
Airport tourist SIMs are capped at 30 days. Once you have an address and are staying longer, go to any AIS or True Move shop with your passport and get a local subscriber SIM. The monthly plans are more flexible, often cheaper per GB, and can be renewed indefinitely. The switch takes 15 minutes in-store. Some operators require a Non-Immigrant visa for local subscriber registration — a tourist visa gives you tourist SIM only.
City-wide · Experience date Apr 7, 2026
I tested AIS, True Move, and DTAC-True for 2 months in Bangkok. AIS has the fastest and most consistent 4G/5G coverage across BTS routes, malls, and Sukhumvit area. True Move is cheaper and fine for most use. DTAC merged with True in 2023 and the combined network is improving but still inconsistent. For remote workers or heavy users, AIS Unlimited plans at 599–799 THB/month are solid.
Silom · Experience date Dec 26, 2025
Tourist SIM (30-day validity): best for stays under 60 days. Regular AIS/TrueMove H prepaid (monthly top-up, no expiry): better for stays 2+ months — cheaper per GB and you keep the same Thai number. Switching to regular prepaid: visit an AIS shop, bring passport. 30GB data for 299 THB/month. Regular prepaid also gets better international roaming rates and can be used for Thai bank account SMS verification — important for banking setup.
Phra Khanong · Experience date Dec 29, 2025
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows switching operators while keeping your Thai number. Process: visit new operator store with ID and current SIM. Takes 1 business day. Useful if you started with DTAC and want to switch to AIS for better coverage. Note: pending payments must be cleared on current account before porting. Tourist SIM numbers cannot be ported — you must have a registered (non-tourist) SIM to use number porting.
On Nut · Experience date Dec 23, 2025
Good news: Thailand does not block VoIP calls. WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet — all work perfectly on Thai SIMs without any VPN. This is very different from Turkey or China. Make calls freely. VPN is unnecessary for VoIP in Bangkok. Many expats drop their home SIM entirely and use WhatsApp calling for international calls — costs nothing beyond data.
Ari · Experience date Mar 17, 2026
AIS has the best underground MRT coverage — signal maintained in most stations on the Blue Line (MRT) and even in tunnels between stations in some sections. BTS Skytrain is elevated so signal is strong for all operators. TrueMove H is close to AIS underground. DTAC has the most gaps on the MRT underground sections. For daily MRT commuters: AIS or TrueMove H. For BTS commuters: any operator works.
Sukhumvit · Experience date Apr 18, 2026
DTAC's tourist SIM at 199 THB is the cheapest option for visitors who mainly use WhatsApp and maps. 8GB data, valid 30 days. Available at DTAC shops and some 7-Elevens. Caveat: DTAC was merged into TrueMove H in 2023 (NTPC merger) — the brand still operates but network investment is shifting to TrueMove H. Long term, TrueMove H is better bet; DTAC is fine for short stays on a budget.
City-wide · Experience date Apr 3, 2026
True Move's 399 THB/month unlimited plan throttles to 1Mbps after the daily high-speed quota but 1Mbps is enough for messaging and maps. For video calls and heavy streaming you need the 599 THB tier. Both plans include unlimited calls to Thai numbers. True's coverage in Chatuchak, Lat Phrao, and outer Bangkok is better than AIS in my experience.
Ari · Experience date Mar 17, 2026
Both AIS and TrueMove H have English-language customer support. AIS call center: 1175 (English option available). TrueMove H: 1242 (English option). In-store service: service centers in Siam Paragon, Central World, and Terminal 21 have English-speaking staff. The AIS app chat support is more responsive than TrueMove H for English queries. For complex issues like SIM replacement or plan changes: go in-person to a service center with your passport.
