Answereda year ago
What are the best unlimited data packages for SIM cards in Thailand for short-term use?
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Whilst in Thailand for two months initially, i need to buy a SIM for opening a bank account. But also to speak with family back home.
The house we are renting doesnt have wifi and i dont want to install one for just two months.
What are the best data packages in Thailand for unlimited wifi so I can tether my iPad to my iPhone?
The house we are renting doesnt have wifi and i dont want to install one for just two months.
What are the best data packages in Thailand for unlimited wifi so I can tether my iPad to my iPhone?
Answer summary
The post discusses the need for a SIM card and data package while staying in Thailand for two months, particularly for opening a bank account and staying connected with family. Comments suggest options like AIS and True for mobile services, mentioning that both provide 5G coverage. Recommendations include prepaid SIMs from the airport or local stores, with specific plans like AIS Unlimited being favored by some users. There are also significant points addressing the bank's requirements for a mobile number linked to the passport, complicating the ability to open a bank account on a tourist visa. Users highlight the importance of checking the service quality in their area before making a decision.
41 repliesnewest first
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Michael ********
AIS is really good,but also i had a second sim card in my phone to save numbers for home etc,
****
also do sim cards,but always take ID with you like passport etc.John *********
OPI have an iPhone 13 but can freely switch SIM cards?
Jim *******
Think first if it is possible to open a bank account while in Thai 2 months. Is it just walk in on visa exception 60 days? No way you can open bank account with that.
For your comms needs, get a prepaid SIM from the airport or AIS or any shop for 2 months for your communication needs.
Banks, even if they let you sit down and talk, require Thai mobile number. Prepaid numbers are not acceptable, they get recycled after a year, can not be converted to permanent number that belongs to you.
Banks would not accept mobile number that is not linked to your passport and your name, with the receipt showing that. AIS implemented Thai SIM number into my existing Japanese iPhone, I can switch between, depending where I am.
It was November 11.2025. with 3,850THB a year subscription and next day at the bank, they accepted it. I am on Non-O 1 year extension.
For your comms needs, get a prepaid SIM from the airport or AIS or any shop for 2 months for your communication needs.
Banks, even if they let you sit down and talk, require Thai mobile number. Prepaid numbers are not acceptable, they get recycled after a year, can not be converted to permanent number that belongs to you.
Banks would not accept mobile number that is not linked to your passport and your name, with the receipt showing that. AIS implemented Thai SIM number into my existing Japanese iPhone, I can switch between, depending where I am.
It was November 11.2025. with 3,850THB a year subscription and next day at the bank, they accepted it. I am on Non-O 1 year extension.
John *********
OPIm on a 90 day non-O based on marriage Jim. Unfortunate circumstances I have to return home after 58 days but I can at least get my bank account sorted and 400k min deposit for when I return later in the year.
Derek *****
perhaps open the bank on your next trip in — it will be frustrating to have your account frozen while you’re out of the country for 8 months.
John *********
OPWhy would they freeze it? I want to make a transfer every month for the house we are renting
Phil ******
@John ********
i recommend AIS Unlimited plan. I have 6 mbps. AIS has best cover hereKim **********
@Phil *****
WTF...6 mbps??? Don't you mean 6 MBytes?Paul *******
@Kim *********
mbps is megabytes (mb) per second (ps)Paul *******
@Kim *********
. Whatever it is. It is fast enough to stream live UKTV channelsKim **********
@Paul ******
mbps is megabits per second, MBps is Megabytes per second. gbts is gigabits per second and GBps is Gigabytes per secondKim **********
Or did you mean 6 Gig?
John *********
OPThanks Phil. I will be in Thailand for almost 2 months and then again for two months up until one year expires on a 12 month contract. Just that I have to return home for 8 months inbetween. Thought a one year might work out better.
Phil ******
I also watch sport tv movies from around the world no problem
Phil ******
@John ********
you can buy a 6 month for ฿1800 and keep your number active whilst in Oz. Think monthly its ฿20-30. I think home is where the missus is 😂
Jamie ******
What’s the price
Phil ******
@Jamie *****
mines 360 days ฿3500Phil ******
@Paul ******
ok 15 mbps mao mao pack monthly? Post your planPaul *******
@Phil *****
. I got it from the AIS shopPhil ******
@Paul ******
yes this is available too. Did you buy from lazada or shopee?Paul *******
@Phil *****
i am paying monthly for 15mbps and unlimited download from AIS and costs me 500 a month
Dawn *******
I use T Mobile in the US, I never used any Thai SIM, as long as it’s internet (FaceTime, Messenger, and texting) all free, a little slow in some spot. We even had internet when we were near the towers (on the islands) in the Andaman Sea.
Tim **********
If on a tourist visa it will not be possible to get a bank account
O'nthe *****
@Tim *********
I have one,for last 12 years.
Benz ********************
@O'nthe ****
still on tourist visa?John *********
OPWhat tourist visa?
Tim **********
@John ********
I am not sure of where you are from. For me, being from the US, I just fill out my digital arrival form and show upThailand gives me 60 days
That’s a tourist visa per see
If you don’t have the right visa, it can be impossible to set up a Thai bank account
John *********
OPI have a 90 day non-O visa based on marriage
Mauro *********
What make you think with visa for 2 month and SIM car can open account bank?? (Don't read how complicated is new rules and how many foreigners now have Frozen accounts?)
John *********
OPSimply answered Mauro. I have a 90 day Non O visa based on marriage. Unfortunately this tome round im having to cut my time in thailand short so wont be able to apply for my 12 month extension. (And will have to reapply for my 90 day visa again later in the year)
Olav *********
@John ********
you will NOT get an bank acount if you not hawe 1 year extension on visa.I Made my bank acount 1,5 week ago. They needed yellow house book and pink id and to get thath the imigration neded to giwe a paper saying ok to enter my name to my girles blue book. And a village worker needed to verify on ampoe thath l live here.John *********
OPOk seems logical… i need my funds to mature for 2 months inbetween a bank before I can apply for the one year extension. I wonder how that works?
Steve ***************
The bank will want you to have an annual phone contract with the SIM registered against your passport details. This will also allow you to use the banks online app. I used Dtac for this purpose. Coverage is excellent everywhere I have been in Thailand and for a small extra amount, I was able to use it in Vietnam too. Cost wise, it's very affordable.
Ling *****
@Steve **************
non sense. I have had 2 pre paid sim cards the last 25 years both tied in on 2 separate bank accounts, no problems at all. No need for a 1 year contract with phone company.
John *******
@Steve **************
 With all my Thai bank accounts, I’ve never been asked for a copy of an annual phone contract or it’s prepaid or postpaid for last 10 years. Most Thai’s don’t have annual phone plan.  An annual phone contract is tied to financing a phone and is relatively new to Thailand. They do require a copy of your lease agreement for your residence.  I rent my home month-to-month. It’s never been an issue getting a bank account.Steve ***************
@John ******
I don't doubt what you are saying, I can only go by my personal experience. With such a long a duration in Thailand, you must be well aware, that requirements change not by whether you are using Bangkok. Krungsri, Siam, or Krungthai bank, but from branch to branch. I am a much newer arrival than you, both of my banks are based in Pattaya and both required a permanent Thai cell phone number to open an account. You are correct in the fact that both of my chosen banks also required a copy of my condo lease agreement.John *******
@Steve **************
I guess the word “permanent”is throwing me off maybe you mean that there’s a tax ID associated with your cell phone number which is required for your retirement visa and needs to be verified by your cell provider.  A tourist Sim can’t be used and after it expires it can be changed to a monthly plan.  I’m also in Pattaya and Krungsri is one my banks.
Munich *****
Same here... 12years DTAC Prepaid (now part of True) and all works fine with my Krungsri bank account App.
Graham ******
If you're in a major town/city there probably is very little difference in the quality of True and AIS services but if you are rural then one may be better (ask the locals which they use)
Darren ******
15 mb down load , 100gb per month data on a one year paid up from sim
Lazada 1600b
Use it for two month ..
Lazada 1600b
Use it for two month ..
Pascal ********
Il n'y a que deux opérateurs en Thaïlande
TRUE et AIS et tous les deux en 5G
TRUE et AIS et tous les deux en 5G
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