What are my options for using a new phone with both US and Thai SIM cards, especially considering eSIM technologies?

Oct 13, 2024
a month ago
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've posted about this before, but I've got some new information...

I need a new phone. I go back to USA for 3 weeks about every 2-3 months. Too much time to want to deal with two phones. As far as I know AIS will require me to use a physical SIM. Verizon is saying they only offer phones with 2 eSIMs. Sales people are sometimes derps though .. or is the world really on its way to only eSIM?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the best mobile phone options for expats frequently traveling between the USA and Thailand, specifically focusing on using dual SIMs or eSIMs. Various community members suggest that while AIS supports both physical SIMs and eSIMs, many modern smartphones, including recent iPhones and Samsung models, also support eSIM functionality. Users share their experiences of successfully using one phone with eSIMs for Thai numbers and physical SIMs for US numbers, enabling seamless toggling between services. Recommendations include purchasing unlocked phones directly from manufacturers to avoid issues with network locking.
John *********
Multiple SIM cards on one device is only an issue if you have an older device.
Steven *********
I have AIS and an iPhone 13. I have both my IS number and my Thai number as e sims in the same phone. Both numbers work fine for calls text and data.
Russell ********
My AIS account is only an eSIM, and I use my SIM slot for my US SIM.
Dan ********
I have IPhone 14, ported my US number to Google VOLP for one time fee $20, then Airalo for my data, works in 125 different countries. Has been excellent coverage in multiple countries for over a year now, no problems with getting codes from banks and other apps. WhatsApp, Line, Messenger all work wherever I am. Airalo average cost has been about $6 US a month.
David ****************
You can buy unlocked phones on Amazon and use a AIS Sim card keeping it only for Thai phone number and operates off Wi-Fi without any service provider and you are fine
Brian *******
AIS DOES ESIMS.. verizon wont unlock your phone to use esims for at least 60 days.. AIS has international

roaming package though its costly for america
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian ******
why won't they unlock a phone for 60 days?
Brian *******
@Jack ***************
its their unlocking policy.. keeps people from buying their phones and ditching them for at least 60 days..
Ken ********
What's an esim???
David **********
I use an AIS eSIM. I also use a T-Mobile physical SIM. Have had the US number over 2 decades for $3 a month. When I go to the us I activate a different plan while in country. Even with the $3 plan you get all the bank codes and stuff via SMS at a dime each. It is a prepaid plan. iPhone 15.
Ruth *******
Why would you buy from Verizon? Any discounted phone would be locked and couldn’t be used in Thailand. This is a sincere question, wondering what the advantage is.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ruth ******
I'd been buying my phone's from Verizon for years, when I decided to stay in Thailand I bought a phone here, it is mostly fine in Thailand, but kind of a hooptie. But even with my US SIM it does not work well in the USA- even using roaming with the Thai SIM. So I am back pedalling to solve the problem.
James **********
I like Google Fi. I never need a SIM card. Get a welcome to *** when I cross the line.
Bob ********
My wife and I both have Thai Esims on our phones, both registered under her Thai ID, when in Thailand. We change the plan for the best value we need, then when leaving, change it to the lowest monthly rate, which is not much. They are good for 12 months if we forget to top up, then we just activate again on return. Both our home phones are Esims as well on our Google Pixels
Dave ********
Fine phone at a great price is the Xiaomi Redmi note 13 or 13 pro.. 🥳
Robert **********
I used an AIS eSIM in Thailand earlier this year and it worked flawlessly. My speeds were much, much faster than what I experience in the U.S. I've used both physical SIMs and eSIMs and I now prefer the later. Any iPhone or Android phone made in the last two years or so will support two eSIMs. However, if you still prefer a physical SIM, you'll have to buy an Android phone.
Eric ******
Have you looked into the Ultimate Unlimited plan with Verizon? Thailand is included and data used here as well as calling back to the US is included at no extra charge.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *****
I got excited after reading this- but looking on Google makes me think I already have this. The problem is it is 10 bucks a day when I'm in Thailand. I can cannot afford paying 10,000 baht a month two out of every three months.
Eric ******
@Jack ***************
here is a text I got from them when I got here.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *****
thank you, I will try to pop into a store and show that and ask.
Eric ******
@Jack ***************
they should be telling you about it. It is their best plan. It's not a secret, it is their top tier plan. Which plan do you have now? The current tiers are Ultimate, the Plus and the Welcome all preceded by Unlimited in the title if tou Google it. Here is something I found on their site...
Eric ******
Did u check with Verizon on the plan?
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *****
nah, I'm on a work trip and haven't had time. Hopefully next week, but it might need to be next trip.
Eric ******
@Jack ***************
you could literally do it over the phone. It’s probably as cheap. If not just a little bit more than what you’re paying now anyway. My Verizon phone works just as good here as it did in the states.
Eric ******
@Jack ***************
then it’s the wrong plan. I have Unlimited Ultimate and international is included with the plan. It’s not a plan then you have to add the international plan which is 10 dollars a day. I have not been charged anything extra. I’ll try to find the details.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *****
cool thank you
Janelle *****
Just buy an iPhone 15 pro max from Thailand . It has sim slot and esim
Scott ***************
Samsung has dual sim. E sim and regular. Get a good phone and make sure its not locked.
Nicole **********
Get a SIM from AIS and purchase a roaming package when you need to travel. I went straight to AIS and this option works brilliantly they have different pre-paid roaming options that are really well priced.
Steve ********
@Nicole *********
AIS is in most big shopping malls.
David ***
@Nicole *********
where can I find a AIS counter or booth? At grocery stores or
****
? Thanks
Eric ******
@David **
if you search AIS in your google maps app, they will pop up all over the place. No matter where you are there will be one close by.
Nicole **********
@David **
apologies for the late reply I was between travels. The store in Market Village is amazing and most of their staff speaks decent English. They showed me a list of options just ask for the flip file list lol 😆 I know some staff will try and nail you for the highest package. They are on the 3rd floor to the left of the lift as you come up from the front entrance of Market Village. Disclaimer "I don't work for AIS" because I feel as if I'm promoting them 🤣🤣🤣
David ***
@Nicole *********
🤣🤣 I think they should hire you 🤣 but thanks for the info 🙏
Jim ********
Both are eSIMs. I use Tello.com for my U.S. number. It cost $5 a month. Unlimited SMS and 100 mins over WiFi. Thai number is AIS
Steve **********
I have an AIS eSIM and TMobile eSIM. It’s very easy to do and manipulate when traveling (meaning making the appropriate sim the primary)
Steve ********
@Steve *********
I do the same with AIS. No issues.
Michael ********
S23 ultra has two sim slots and e sims. Actually in States at moment using package from true. I also carry another phone for Singapore company i work for its not a big deal.
Marty *********
I have AIS on my eSIM
John *******
My phone has a physical sim card from t-mobile and an eSIM from AIS
John *********
Edward ******
Phons in the US are moving towards E Sims. Phones here are still sold with physical sims.
Brian ****
AIS supports ESIMs. I'd suggest you get a real phone that takes SIM cards.😂
Ruth *******
@Brian ***
agreed. One never knows where one might travel and need that slot.
Tony **********
AIS will do either esim or physical. I initially had them install as esim. I then discovered my phone will only allow 1 esim to be active at once. Went back and they converted it to physical sim. So not sure where you're getting your info. You shouldn't need more than 1 unlocked phone.
Jason *******
Whoever told you that AIS only uses physical SIM cards is incorrect… For me, the solution I used this time, that has worked brilliantly so far - is i upgraded to a new iPhone 15 before I left the USA…  iPhone 15 is eSIM only, there is no physical Sim card capability .. Then I switched from ATT to Mint Mobile, which only costs me about US$20 per month… then when I arrived at the Bangkok airport, I went to the AIS booth and they installed an AIS eSIM .. now I just toggle back and forth between my USA phone number and my Thai phone number, whenever I need an OTP or a 2FA code…  I have had zero issues yet with that set up, and I only have to carry one phone .. ETA : Make absolutely sure that whatever new phone you purchase is UNLOCKED.. wound up having to buy my new phone directly from Apple Store since they sell them unlocked, other more shady dealers (looking at you ATT)- tried to sell me a locked phone , which would not have worked in Asia .
Steve ********
@Jason ******
I do the same with an lPhone 14 (two eSims). One for my T-Mobile USA acct and the other for my AIS Thailand cell number. I also signed up for high speed 5G Internet on my cell phone which is very convenient to get Internet and Email anywhere anytime. Not expensive and worth it. No problems or issues. Also good English speaking support staff as well.
David ***
@Jason ******
brilliant, but are you willing to pay $20 per month forever for this?
Jason *******
@David **
As opposed to last year when I came here to Asia for several months and was unable to access my investments, banking , insurance etc b/c i had no way to access my American phone # ? And had no way to get to my money in America ?? Absolutely i will keep paying $20 per month for such a simple solution, especially when you factor in that the cost of AIS service in Thailand is so cheap, so you are saving there as well… But mate, “forever” is a very long time, i estimate that i will probably continue paying $20 per month for the next couple of years until a better, free solution comes along.. some people already use such services as GoogleFi, Google Voice(?), and others but they are not as foolproof and straightforward for me at this time as the dual eSIM solution .
David ******
For me, with AIS, yes you buy a physical SIM card that they then will use as an ESIM on the phone. I'm not sure if this is what you are asking. I could add more E SIM. But I always buy the unlocked version of phone direct from Samsung. Never a carrier phone.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *****
what is the downside of a carrier phone?
David ******
@Jack ***************
three things for me. You have to get your phone unlocked by the carrier. The carrier adds their bloat ware and apps and you have to wait on the carrier updates versus the manufacturer phone updates, then the ultimate flexibility of carrier choice. Not locked into any service provider. I'm personally in the Samsung Ecosystem, Everytime there is a new phone roll out the incentives are pretty aggressive between trade in value and bonus credits, I usually pay out of pocket around $500 for the top flagship phones unlocked. Same price as carrier I guess.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *****
do you do that at a Samsung retail store? How do you get service in USA? Do the US carriers offer packages based off sims?
David ******
@Jack ***************
personally I order from Samsung website. I need to add I'm in the USA and only visit THA. I have T Mobile as a carrier, where I actually get fairly decent service in cities in THA. No charge. My reason for have AIS sim is for fast Internet.

I just prefer to own my phone outright. I could use any service I please, no issue. I just happen to choose T-Mobile because of international coverage and free Internet on Delta flights ( although now Delta offers for free on most flights anyways).
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
And do you do you trade in via FedEx or something?
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *****
so, I've been in a family plan with Verizon for decades. Do you think they offer just a sim based package?
Gareth ********
@Jack ***************
your phone is locked to the carrier for a physical sim.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gareth *******
I don't know what that means. That you cannot swap the physical SIM?
Declan **********
@Jack ***************
you can swap the physical sim but you can only use physical sim cards that are from the carrier. However you can pay about 30-40$ to unlock the phone so it's open to all sim cards.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Declan *********
and with eSIMs they are not locked?
Martin *****
I use samsung s23 ultra, has 2 sim slots, dtac and another non thai sim card.. no problems at all
Jay *********
@Martin ****
same here, it's very simple
Billy ******
@Martin ****
exactly what I do.
John *********
Yes, it is headed to that. Pick up a Samsung or a Pixel 2nd hand that has dual physical sims and problem solved.
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