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What is the best SIM configuration for expats in Thailand: e-SIM, physical SIM, or both?
SIM cardeSIMPhysical SIMThailandDual SIMExpatsMobile phone plansInternational SIMRoamingMobile connectivity
Jun 3, 2024
2 years ago
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERFor people who have no trouble with their phone here and in the west... Do you have one electric Sim and one physical? Or just one physical and you swap? Or two physical?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Expats in Thailand have various configurations for using SIM cards based on personal preferences and phone capabilities. Some prefer having one physical SIM for Thailand combined with an eSIM for their home country, enabling seamless switching between networks as needed. Many new phones support dual eSIMs, allowing for two active connections without a physical SIM. Users have found that managing two eSIMs is practical, as they can toggle between networks for calls and texts. However, there are limitations, as most phones do not support using two eSIMs simultaneously for receiving messages from both countries. Overall, the choice often varies based on the phone model, pricing of local services, and personal communication needs.
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Brad *********
eSIM for home not usable here, physical sim here and google voice to call back home.
Paul ********
I have a true sim in Thailand on rolling PAYG and reduce that to 100 baht a month when I leave. In uk I have an e-sim and on a plan with my son who gets roll over data that he uses and cost me £8 a month and is the easiest way for me. I used to use two phones. That was a pain
Puggs **********
Dual SIM phone
John *********
iPhone 15 Pro. No physical SIM, but can accommodate multiple e-SIM.
Ling *****
I have dual sim phone. I only use sim cards and not esim. A sim card with Dtac is cheaper in price for me. I get 50 gb of data at high speed for only 300 baht for 30 days.
Robert ****
I use the Pixel 7a which allows 2 active sims. I use 2 esims. One with AIS for Thailand and the other with Mint Mobile for my US text and calls. Its been working good for me in Bangkok.
Gregg ************
I have an iphone with US e-sim (AT&T) and a Thai physical sim card (True). Both work fine in Thailand. The Thai sim does not work in the US (I don’t need it to,so I’m not sure if it can be enabled for use in the US or not).
Brandon ************
@Gregg ***********
you have to specifically enable it. I have mine turned on but the roaming data disabled, that way I can still receive text messages for my bank account but can't get charged for dataReply to
Brandon ************
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Ryan *********
Depends. If the local sim is a good deal I'll get that, otherwise airalo esim is really convenient
Heath ***********
Can't have a locked phone
David **********
I have 2 phones, one for Thailand, one for the rest of the world
Tony *********
I have an esim for home to receive sms and phone calls . Physical sim for Thailand. Remember you can't use 2 esims at a time . So if want to receive calls and sms from home you need esim and Physical sim. . As I found out the hard way
Jason *******
@Tony ********
I dont understand, i was under the impression that if you have a phone with two eSIMs , then you can toggle back and forth to whichever eSIM you need to use at that particular time.. is that wrong ? Otherwise i dont understand the point of any phone having the capacity for multiple eSIMs.. Maybe i am misunderstanding your post (?)Tony *********
@Jason ******
you can't use them at the same time which is what I wanted . I had 2 E-sim. 1 for Australia 1 for Thailand. But couldn't get any messages from Australia unless I turned off thai esim and turn on Australia esim . That's why I got Esim for Australia and physical sim for ThailandBob ********
@Tony ********
I have an Australian Esim and Thai Sim. I get all my messages from Aust while I am here, but not vice versa. Seems to work ok.Tony *********
@Bob *******
I know That's what I have as well . Just saying you can't have 2 E-sim running togetherJason *******
@Tony ********
I see.. yeah, im okay with toggling back and forth, i dont think ill need them at the same time.. ill only need access to the American eSIM a few times per month to get codes, otherwise ill be using WhatsApp , Line, etc for calls/texts while on my Thai eSIM .. most of my friends/family in America have those messaging apps and they are free .Reply to
Jason *******
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Ruth *******
I had an eSIM from home and bought a SIM. I then moved the SIM to an eSIM, so I have two eSIMs (sometimes three when I travel) and have the SIM slot available, also for travel.
I toggle constantly. I use the home SIM when making calls back home on WiFi. I use the Thai eSIM for everything else while in Thailand. I turn them both off and turn on the one I need for whatever country I’m in when I’m traveling.
I toggle constantly. I use the home SIM when making calls back home on WiFi. I use the Thai eSIM for everything else while in Thailand. I turn them both off and turn on the one I need for whatever country I’m in when I’m traveling.
Jason *******
Same same.. Having two physical SIMs was hellish .. just upgraded to a new phone with only eSIM and when i return to Bangkok next month for the foreseeable future my plan is to just toggle back and forth between Thai SIM and American SIM when needed… Fingers crossed that it works . 🤞
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jason ******
why was 2 physical Sims a problem?Jason *******
@Jack ***************
Long story short, basically any time I needed OTP or 2FA codes from my American banks and institutions, I was unable to receive them because I had my AIS sim active at the time and I had “parked” my American phone number .. some banks refused to communicate with me via email .. I know that others carry two phones with them to Thailand , one for Asian use, and one to get codes from the USA.. I did not do that last time, and for my next trip I considered it, but I just thought that having one phone with two eSIMs was a better option .Gareth ********
@Jason ******
I always keep my old phone to have my home sim in for OTP and Thai sim in my new phone. But realise this might not be ideal for everyone.Jason *******
@Gareth *******
I think it’s a valid option and i considered it- i just thought id try the two eSIMs in one phone option next time and see how it works .Reply to
Jason *******
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Richard ***********
@Jason ******
same situation for meReply to
Richard ***********
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Paul ********
I think you mean e- sim not electric sim FYI
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul *******
I bet it's still electric! (But yes, sorry)Ruth *******
@Jack ***************
why didn’t you just take the bet :-)Paul ********
@Ruth ******
I don’t bet full stop. It’s a mugs game.Reply to
Paul ********
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Paul ********
@Jack ***************
it’s ElectronicJack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul *******
I was curious if you were being disagreeable or pedantic so I turned to google. The answer is B.Reply to
Jack ****************
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Ruth *******
and the “e” is for “embedded”.
Reply to
Ruth *******
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Brandon ************
When I first came to Thailand I had one physical sim (my US account) and one e-SIM (My AIS account) and had them both active at the same time since you can only have 2 SIMs active at a time on iphone.
But when I upgraded to the new phone they do not have any SIM slots anymore, so now I only have 2 e-SIM.
But when I upgraded to the new phone they do not have any SIM slots anymore, so now I only have 2 e-SIM.
Michael ***********
@Brandon ***********
can u have one with Thai number and one with US number (esim) apple 15 pro ?Chris *********
Brandon ************
@Michael **********
yes that's what I have nowReply to
Brandon ************
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John ********
@Brandon ***********
the new iPhones purchased in the US don’t have a physical SIM slot but the Thailand versions have a physical SIM slotReply to
John ********
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How can UK citizens manage two-factor authentication while in Thailand without incurring heavy fees?
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