Thailand is one of the easiest countries in the world when it comes to staying connected. The mobile coverage is good, the networks are fast, and data is cheap. And yet, everytime we travel to Thailand we still see plenty of travellers queuing at the Suvarnabhumi airport SIM counter. Either overpaying for roaming or wrestling with tiny SIM trays on day one of their holiday.
It does not have to be that way. Installing an eSIM at home takes just a few minutes. One of the many advantages is when you step off the plane in Bangkok you can immediately use Google Maps and book an Uber or Grab. Below we share everything you need to know about how to find the best eSIM for Thailand, which plan to pick, and how to set it up without any hassle. Our short answer: Sim Local is the absolute best eSIM for Thailand.
Content of this blog:
What is an eSIM, and does your phone support it?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that is installed directly into your phone. Instead of inserting a physical plastic SIM card when you arrive in Thailand you can download and install the eSIM beforehand. You can store multiple eSIMs on one device and switch between them in your settings, which is genuinely useful when you are moving between countries.
Most phones released from 2020 onwards support eSIM, but it is worth double-checking before you buy a plan. iPhones from the iPhone XS onwards are compatible, as are most Samsung Galaxy models from the S20 series onwards, the Google Pixel 3 and later, and a growing number of other Android phones. One thing to watch out for: some phones sold in China do not have eSIM capability, even if the same model sold elsewhere does.
To check whether your phone supports eSIM, go to Settings and look for a “Mobile Data” or “SIM” section. If you see an option to add a data plan or eSIM, you are good to go. Otherwise you can go to the website of SIM Local. With this link you’ll see an extensive article about the compatibility of phones and eSIM’s.
eSIM vs. local SIM card in Thailand: which is better?
This is an honest question and the honest answer is: it depends on how you travel.
A local Thai SIM is cheap, widely available, and gives you very solid coverage. You can pick one up at Suvarnabhumi airport the moment you land, at any 7-Eleven, or at shops run by the main Thai networks: AIS and True. A tourist SIM for 30 days with around 30 GB of data typically costs somewhere between 300 and 500 Thai Baht (roughly €8 to €13, prices in 2026). That is hard to beat on price.
The downside is the friction. You need to find a shop, queue, fill in a form and present your passport, and then figure out how to put the SIM in your phone without losing the tiny tray tool. Once the physical SIM is in, your home number goes offline unless you carry a dualSIM phone. You can still use WhatsApp on your home number though.
An eSIM solves all of that. You buy it before you leave, activate it on the plane or the moment you land, and your phone just works. Your home SIM stays active in the background, so you can still receive calls and messages on your regular number. For us, that convenience is worth the small extra cost compared to a local SIM.
The eSIM we use during our travels in Thailand
We always use Sim Local eSIM for Thailand, and we are very satisfied with it. Sim Local runs on the local Thai network of True, which means you get the same coverage as anyone using a physical Thai SIM. The connection is fast in Bangkok and in the main tourist areas, 5G coverage. We did not have any major issues on the islands either. Sim Local offers unlimited plans, including those powered by True and other partner networks. They currently have two unlimited plan options: the regular version and the Pro version.
What we like about Sim Local specifically is how straightforward the whole process is. You pick your plan, pay, receive a QR code, manual code or download it through one click. That is genuinely it. They make it super easy depending on your preference. The pricing is clear and there are no hidden fees. You can see all current plans and prices for Thailand directly on the Local eSIM Thailand page.
We are not going to pretend it is the cheapest option out there, because a local Thai SIM is cheaper. But for the convenience and the reliability, we think Sim Local is the best eSIM for Thailand for most travellers.
Which Sim Local plan do you need for Thailand?
Which eSIM plan you need for your travels to Thailand depends on how you use your phone on the road. Here is a rough guide based on our own experience.
If you mainly use your phone for Google Maps, WhatsApp messages, and checking Instagram once in a while, you can get by on around 1 GB per day. A week-long trip would need roughly 7 to 10 GB to have a bit of headroom. If you are working remotely, having video calls with friends and family back home, or streaming Netflix, count on at least 2 to 3 GB per day.
Sim Local offers plans in different data amounts and durations. Our advice is to slightly overestimate how much you need. Running out of data in the middle of a long tail-transfer is not fun. Although topping up is very easy with the App or in the browser.
One thing worth noting: Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere in Thailand. Hotels, hostels, cafes, and restaurants all offer it, and it is usually decent. So you probably do not need as much mobile data as you think. We tend to use our eSIM data mainly when we are out and about or on transport, and rely on Wi-Fi back at the accommodation.
How is the mobile coverage in Thailand?
In Bangkok and other major tourist destinations like Chiang Mai, Ao Nang in Krabi and Koh Lanta, the coverage is excellent. You will have fast 4G almost everywhere, and in parts of Bangkok you will find 5G as well. Inside shopping malls, on the BTS Skytrain, and in most hotels, the connection is strong and reliable.
On the islands it gets more mixed. Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have good coverage overall, especially in the main tourist areas. Koh Tao has decent signal in the town and on the main beaches. On some of the more remote islands and in the mountains of northern Thailand, in the Mae Hong Son area, coverage can be genuinely sparse. If you are planning to hike in Doi Inthanon or take a slow boat through the remote north, do not rely on mobile data as your only navigation tool. Download your offline maps in Google Maps before you go.
The coverage your eSIM gets depends on which network it connects to locally. Sim Local uses the main Thai network called True. As a result, the coverage is the exact same as you would get with a local Thai SIM.
Can you use your eSIM for calls and texts in Thailand?
Most travel eSIMs are data-only but not Sim Local. They have a 31-day Asia Regional plan with 20GB that includes local calls and SMS. They also have global plans that include these benefits. This is a big difference to other eSIM’s which only offer data bundles. If you need to make an emergency call or want to contact hotels or tour operators it’s very convenient to be able to call them locally.
The bigger advantage of an eSIM over a physical SIM is that your home SIM stays in your phone the whole time. That means you can still receive calls and texts on your regular number, which your family and bank and anyone else who needs to reach you can use. Your eSIM handles the data, your home SIM handles the calls. The two work alongside each other without any issue.
Tip: make sure your home SIM is set to data roaming off, so it does not accidentally rack up roaming charges in the background. You only want it active for incoming calls and SMS, not for data. Try to limit the number of calls and texts though. Being abroad and using your home SIM card will add up very quickly.
Who is Sim Local best for?
Sim Local is ideal for all types of travelers, including solo travelers, digital nomads, backpackers and students, who want reliable mobile connectivity abroad. For us as digital nomads we are always looking for ways to stay connected and this is the perfect solution.
Our conclusion about the best eSIM for Thailand
While a local Thai SIM may be the cheapest way to get connected, Sim Local stands out by combining the convenience of an eSIM with the reliability of a local network. You can install it before you travel, keep your home number active and get online the moment you land. Unlike many other eSIM providers, Sim Local also offers plans that include local calls and SMS, as well as a straightforward refund policy if your eSIM doesn’t work as expected. For us, it’s the combination of convenience, transparency, reliable coverage on Thailand’s True network, and those extra features that makes Sim Local the best eSIM for Thailand. Check out the Thai eSIM plans here.
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