What is the best pay-as-you-go SIM card in Thailand for long-term use?

Jun 4, 2023
2 years ago
Josh **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Which is the best pay-as-you-go SIM card for long-term use. I'm looking for something where I can top up to get exactly the amount of data I need on a card that will last long term as go back and forth between Thailand and the rest of SEA.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When looking for a pay-as-you-go SIM card for long-term use in Thailand, several options are highly recommended by the community. AIS offers various plans, including an unlimited data deal for around 1,800 baht per year and a 100GB plan for 800 baht for six months. Users appreciate the way top-ups extend the SIM's validity for up to one year. True-H also provides competitive plans, including unlimited data for approximately 1,200 baht per year. DTAC offers a unique feature of rolling over unused data and has a yearly SIM deal available on Lazada for 1,390 baht for 60GB. Overall, the choice of SIM may depend on individual needs, including data usage and call requirements.
John *******
Everyone says Ais but I use true h when iam here my thai partner says it best she is local girl so must trust what she tells me 80 baht per month unlimited local calls and data good enough for me
Manfred **********
Thailand only has 2 cellphone companies. Both offer good quality at affordable prices. Take all 2, it will set you back 20 USD/EUR or any if you only have 10, there's no real difference.

Download their Apps, they offer attractive SEA roaming packages, no need to bother with new local providers again and again
Steve *******
DTAC
Austin ****
DTAC - Pay-As-You-Go

30 Days of Mobile Data:

199 THB + 7% tax (total 213 THB) for 6GB mobile data at their highest speed for 30 days.

Unused data quota is rolled-over/added to your new quota, if you subscribe to another package before the current one expires.

However, don't subscribe to a new package too early (preferably as close to your expiry time as possible). 30 days usage expiry is counted from the time you sign up the new package, not 30 days added to your old package's usage expiry date/time.

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Extending the validity of your SIM card:

Every time you top up (minimum is 20 THB via their DTAC app), you extend SIM/credit validity by 30 days.

So, it makes sense to ALWAYS top up 20 THB at a time, multiple times, instead of topping up a bigger amount to your required credit to buy your next package.

10 x 20 THB top up = 10 x 30 days SIM validity extension = 300 days.

MAXIMUM SIM/CREDIT VALIDITY is 365 days.

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Yearly SIM deal (on Lazada) a cheaper option?

Based on above, 12 x 213 THB per 30 days = 2,556 THB per 360 days.

Depending on your mobile data usage needs, the "yearly SIM card deal" available on Lazada could be a cheaper option.

Examples:

DTAC - Turbo - 60GB per year @ maximum speed 100Mbps -- 1,390 THB

AIS - Marathon - 100GB per year @ 15Mbps -- 1,790 THB

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Josh **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Austin ***
Great calculations! I'm surprised that Thailand doesn't have a simple pay as go SIM that you can use on and off as you like.
Austin ****
@Josh *********
Technically, they do.

After you load credit on your account (say 200 THB), you can call, text and use mobile data, at a per unit rate, according to your SIM card type.

You will find that your credit is gone real soon because your phone is downloading stuff in the background via mobile data.
Tore *********
Depends on your needs. I use AIS “Net Marathon”, paid 800b for 6 months of 100gb/m. Not full speed but YouTube, Netflix, Spotify etc all works ok. Then can be refilled as needed with the app.
Martyn ***********
The annual deals with a new sim are the best by far! Data and some calls included... Speeds and amount varies, but 1500-1600 should suffice.

No messing with top up and extending number etc is another bonus...

The 6:6 sale on lazada might save a bit extra...

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Richard *********
AIS : every time u top up ( 10 baht -1,000 baht) it extends the sim validity for 1 month up to a max 1 year
Gillian ******
@Richard ********
I’ve been topping up in 20tbh notes to retain the number per month ?
Richard *********
@Gillian *****
yea, if u use the machine< ( 20 baht is the lowest) u can do it for 10 baht if u use a real person :-)
Gillian ******
@Richard ********
oh really. I didn’t know that. Thanks for the info 😊
Bob **********
I have AIS about 1500 or less for 1 year data only
Luc ************
True-H has one for 1200baht/year unlimited data.
Myles *******
AIs works for me 200thb a month unlimited data
John **********
AIS has lots of deals in Thailand including a year of unlimited data for only 1800 baht
Chris *******
100g high speed, unlimited data at a slower speed per mth.

This is yearly rate.

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Jeremy ********
@Chris ******
the best
Cj *******
@Jeremy *******
noooo... DTAC is better and cheaper! 30mbps... Unlimited data and 60 minutes of any number calls a month
Jim ********
AIS
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