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What are the best phone service options for expats visiting Thailand for two weeks?

Apr 3, 2024
a year ago
James **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Everything else question, I'm about to visit in two weeks for two weeks. Phone service plans, what do you do, what do you recommend?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
For expats visiting Thailand, purchasing a local SIM card is highly recommended for phone service. Options include buying a SIM card package at the airport, but it's often cheaper to get one from a 7/11 store. Popular providers mentioned include AIS, DTAC, and True. AIS is noted for best coverage but may be pricier, while DTAC tends to be cheaper with lesser coverage. Some respondents also suggested using travel platforms like Klook for discounts on SIM cards. For those with unlocked phones, eSIMs can also be a convenient option if set up prior to the trip.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be tdac.in.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS (https://tdac.agents.co.th)
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (https://tdac.in.th)

Shaun ***************
All I know is, if you have an eSIM get it on your phone before you leave your country and Figure out how to use it. The phone MUST be Unlocked. Or be like my 18 year old stuck at the airport without a phone. You can’t use a Sim or eSIM on a locked phone.
James **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for all the responses everyone
Pedro *******
Dtac is cheap but coverage isn't the best. Ais aparently is the one with best coverage but it's pricy. I tend to go with True it's good balance between converage and price and you can get it at any
****
. Avoid airport
Jerome *********
AIS or dtac good providers
Asim **********
I got a Ais tourist sim from airport. I want to keep permanent thailand number. Whats the best way to pay bare mimimim to keep the number alive, once abroad and for next trip same number.
Mark *******
****
, not airport
Terary **********
AIS is the service I use.

I think US phones won't work here. You will need to be able to swap SIMS and I think most US phones aren't able to do that.
Jo **********
just use data roaming from your home country phone
Luc ************
Just go to a
****
. Ask for a regular sim, not a tourist sim, from True-H. 200 baht 30 days unlimited data. (Or 30Gig)
Michael ********
You got e sim capability
James **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
I guess not
Hartmut ********
DTac
Phil ******
AIS they will have a requirent for you
@James *************
Go***
@James *************
, I used a DTAC SIM card during my trip to Thailand and the service was pretty good.

I used the Klook to purchase SIM cards & saved almost 10--15% compared to the official sites, MRP,
****
stores, malls, etc., during my trip to Thailand.

Feel free to check how you can use travel platforms to conveniently buy SIM cards, this might be helpful for you,

***********************************************************
Colin *********************
Even cheaper to buy a SIM card in
****
Jan ******************
Easy to just buy a SIM card package at the airport. I use AIS.
Luc ************
@Jan *****************
sure, if you want to pay 4 times the price.
Jan ******************
@Luc ***********
Fast and easy. Top up on the AIS app online. Done it for several years.
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