Must-Know Before Buying eSIM Thailand

1. Why do you need an eSIM while traveling to Thailand?

Easy as Pie: Imagine landing in Thailand and your phone just works. No shops, no fuss. That’s the magic of an eSIM. You set it up with a few taps on your phone before you even pack your bags.

Save Your Baht for Better Things: Why pay more to your home carrier for roaming when you can get the same (or better) service at local prices? eSIMs give you the power to choose affordable plans that fit your trip, whether you’re staying a week or wandering for months.

Keep Your Number, Add Another: No need to juggle two phones or swap out SIM cards. Your eSIM lets you keep your home number active for calls and texts while you enjoy local data rates. It’s like having the best of both worlds in your pocket.

Stay Safe, Stay Smart: Skip the hunt for Wi-Fi and the worry of losing a tiny SIM card. With an eSIM, your connection is digital, making it simpler and safer. Plus, you get to avoid those sketchy Wi-Fi networks.

Be Kind to Our Planet: Choosing an eSIM means no plastic waste. It’s a small step, but it helps in making travel a bit greener.

No Stress, Just Travel: Managing your data is a breeze. Check your usage or switch plans anytime, right from your phone. It’s travel the way it should be—focused on the experiences, not the logistics.

2. Thailand eSIM Types and Features

In Thailand, eSIMs come primarily in two flavors, catering to different needs and preferences:

Data eSIM

• Ideal for Internet Access: Perfect for travelers who primarily need internet access and use apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Viber for communication.
• No Thai Phone Number: Users won’t receive a Thai phone number, which emphasizes its utility for internet-based communication over traditional calls or SMS.

Voice, Text, and Data eSIM

• Comprehensive Connectivity: Supports analog calls, SMS, and internet access, providing a well-rounded connectivity solution for travelers.

Key Features of Thailand Data eSIMs

• No Thailand Phone Number: This means you can’t make traditional phone calls or send SMS texts without an internet connection. However, this is rarely an issue with the prevalence of VoIP and messaging apps.
• Automatic Network Connection: The eSIM will automatically connect to local networks, ensuring seamless internet access as you explore Thailand.
• Installation and Reusability: Most eSIMs are limited to a one-time installation, with exceptions allowing reinstallation. It’s crucial to choose the correct plan upfront.
• Multiple eSIM Profiles: Modern smartphones can store multiple eSIM profiles, though it’s recommended to limit this to three for optimal performance.
• Top-Up Options: These can vary among providers. It’s important to consider your data needs when selecting a plan, as some might offer more flexible top-up options than others.

3. Best eSIM plans for traveling Thailand

Understanding the Difference Between Mobile Network Operators and eSIM Providers

When considering an eSIM for your travels in Thailand, it’s important to differentiate between mobile network operators (MNOs) and eSIM providers. MNOs are the companies that own and operate the cellular networks within a country. In Thailand, notable MNOs include AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove H. These operators have their infrastructure, such as cell towers, and they directly provide the service to end-users.

On the other hand, eSIM providers are companies that have agreements with these MNOs to offer their network services in a more flexible, often digital, format. eSIM providers can be global or regional and do not own the network infrastructure themselves. They package the network services into plans that are tailored for travelers, providing benefits such as easy online purchase and activation, flexible plans, coverage across multiple countries and dedicated support on the go.

When comparing eSIM providers for Thailand, some popular names you might come across include Gohub, Holafly, Airalo, Nomad and Mobimatter. Each has its unique offerings and benefits, so here is the detail comparison to help you select the suitable eSIM Thailand:

Provider	Type	Features	Validity	Network	Price (USD)
	Prepaid data & voice	50GB high speed data	10 Days	DTAC	$10.05
	Prepaid data & voice	15GB high speed data	8 Days	AIS	$8.18
	Data only	1GB/day 4GB & Unlimited 3G 5Mbps	3 – 30 Days	AIS	$11.39 – $90.79
	Data only	5 – 20GB	7 – 30 Days	DTAC	$7.99 – $26.39
Holafly	Data only	Unlimited	5-90 Days	TrueMove/DTAC	$19 – $99
Airalo	Prepaid data & voice	50GB	10 Days	DTAC	$9.9
Airalo	Prepaid data & voice	Unlimited	15 Days	DTAC	$19.95
Nomad	Data only	Unlimited	1-7 days	AIS	$7 – 25$
Nomad	Prepaid data & voice	15GB	8 Days	DTAC	$12
Nomad	Data only	5 – 15GB	30 Days	AIS	$13 – 28
Mobimatter	Prepaid data & voice	50GB	10 days	DTAC	$8.99

As you can see, Gohub stands out as the best option, catering to a wide range of needs, they’re also official partner so they can offer . Typically, a data allowance of 3GB to 5GB suffices for unrestricted use of social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, as well as for browsing information. Therefore, I suggest opting for the 50GB high-speed package to ensure you have ample data for all your needs without worrying about running out.

4. What is the Best Mobile Network for Travelers in Your Destination?

The country’s major mobile network operators include AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove H. Choosing the right mobile network depends on the region you are visiting.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you choose the best mobile network for your Thailand adventure, focusing on coverage, speed, price, strengths and people they suitable for: 

We can see that AIS and True Move’s 5G mobile coverage covers the entire country, even rural places, on the contrary, dtac’s 5G coverage seems a bit fragmented and scattered in both big cities and rural areas. However, True Move H and DTAC merged on March 2, 2023 to create True Corp – Thailand’s largest mobile network operator. Therefore, even if you use DTAC’s eSIM service, you don’t need to worry about the 5g coverage that DTAC provides.

5. Important! Check if your phone support eSIM before purchasing to avoid wastage

Below is a list of devices known for their eSIM compatibility, allowing you to utilize eSIM services in Thailand

Apple Devices

• iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later models: All these models support eSIM technology.
• iPad Pro (3rd generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (7th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later): These iPads support eSIM if they are Wi-Fi + Cellular models.
• Apple Watch Series 3 and later (Cellular models): Compatible with eSIM, allowing you to share your iPhone’s phone number and data plan.

Google Pixel Devices

• Google Pixel 2 and later models: Starting from the Pixel 2 (limited eSIM support) to the latest Pixel models, these devices support eSIM technology.

Samsung Galaxy Devices

• Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, and later models: These Galaxy S series models support eSIM.
• Samsung Galaxy Fold, Z Flip, and later foldable models: Samsung’s foldable devices also support eSIM technology.

Notable Considerations:

• Unlock Your Device: An unlocked phone is crucial for eSIM functionality when switching to a different carrier. A locked device might restrict you to your current carrier’s network, hindering eSIM activation with Thai carriers.
• Consult Your Provider: Prior to departure, reaching out to your current carrier such as Gohub can offer insights into eSIM support and the activation process, ensuring you’re prepared for a smooth transition upon arriving in Thailand.

6. Frequently Asked Questions