Answered10 months ago
What type of phone plan should I choose for banking in Thailand: prepaid or monthly?
Hi, I’m going into AIS tomorrow to get a Thai phone plan so I can start the process of opening a bank account. I’m hoping someone can give me some advice re what type of plan I need to get? Will a pre paid plan be accepted? Or do I need to sign up for a monthly plan? And if so, how do I pay for it if I don’t have a bank account? Thanks very much for any advice 😊
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around obtaining a phone plan in Thailand, specifically with AIS, to facilitate opening a bank account. Users agree that both prepaid and monthly plans are acceptable, with many recommending prepaid options for convenience. It's critical to register the SIM card under your passport, as this information is often required for banking. Various plans are suggested, including long-term prepaid options for data and voice. Payment methods for these plans can vary, with cash and credit card options available.
41 repliesnewest first
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Stephen ********
If you are here for long enough the ais 12 month prepay is a great deal
Alison **********
OPThanks all, just got a monthly pre paid sim at AIS and a certificate to take to the bank, with my non immigrant O Visa and lease agreement 🤞
Peter *********
I pay 400baht a month the person in ais suggested which plan was best
Peter *********
You can pay cash debt or cc
Rick *********
I just got a tourist 30 day sim then converted it to a 12 month contract keeping same number after I opened bank account 399thb + vat per month 5g
Leong ***********
Banking apps are tied to your phone’s IMEI.
bar ***********
AIS Plan called the one sim cost me 150 per month renews every 6 months automatic no lump sum up front
Anna *********
A phone is only going to help if you have the relevant visa
If you have a DTV Visa I’m not sure the phone is going to help
If you have a DTV Visa I’m not sure the phone is going to help
Anthony ******
Good luck opening a bank account here!
Bob **********
I’ve been paying 2500 for a years unlimited data it’s all I need
John **********
As long as the SIM is registered against your passport that's all you need
Michael ********
True is good as can get letter proving its your account for the bank in the app. Although last account i had just printed tbe last months bill
Jesper *******
Have been using ais tourist prepaid since 2017 until now never have problems with bank as long as registered under your name holding nonO
Stephen *********
I opened my bank account with a DTAC Tourist sim that I’ve had for 11 years. Kasicorn or (K bank) didn’t even ask for any details regarding my phone number, just requested my number for the account application
Ian ********
300 baht monthly prepaid includes calls and internet.
texts are extra hence Thai's utilize the line app for that.
texts are extra hence Thai's utilize the line app for that.
Taki****
AIS 1 year data package is pretty good. You can pay cash for it.
Alison **********
OPThanks everyone for the great advice, much appreciated 🙏
Sean *********
@Alison *********
just get a sim card, you need your passport and address. It's easy enough
Baz *********
You can buy a 6 months or 12 months plan..
Pay in advance
Pay in advance
Ossie *********
You don’t need a phone to open up a bank account just go
****
and buy a SIM card for ur phone you need to show your passport
Phillip ******
@Ossie ********
you do need a phone and number, you yourself say to get a sim. What are you ment to do with a sim at the bank. 555Willy *******
@Ossie ********
Really? Last 2 times (Bangkok Bank and Krungthai) i needed to show slip from phone shop.And be careful with those 7-Eleven sims. I bought one and they registered it only to know 3 years later that number was all that time still registered to (for me) unknown thai name
Ossie *********
@Willy ******
I won’t make any comment if you make a bad comment they can sue you for defamation !Willy *******
@Ossie ********
That would be something if 7-ELEVEN would sue me 😂 You may be little bit overcautious
Deslea ********
Any type is okay. For mine, I bought a one off tourist prepaid plan and then added on a regular prepaid plan after that in the app. For my husband we just bought and activated a SIM and just put 20 thb on to be able to test it in store, then bought a prepaid plan in the app. Both worked fine later with banking. Do make sure you take your passport - they connect it to your passport number and I believe that can matter later for some immigration and work permit purposes (where relevant).
Jim *******
@Deslea *******
Airport tourist SIM would work but can it be connected to your passport and your name and address? Would people on arrival be able to even spell their address in the format Thais want?I asked the girl at the airport, AIS, she said "I am the only one in this kiosk, I neither have the skills nor IT tools to do that, go to our big shop in the city".
That is what Thai banks sweep through bank accounts found out - those mickeymouse tourist mobile numbers do not belong any more to the people who used them to open their bank accounts. Massive lockdown of bank accounts that sent panic through the whole farang blogosphere since september 2025.
Those tourist mobile numbers would work as long as you top them up every month. What about when someone (99% of the tourists) leave Thai after a few weeks and return after 3 years or never? The mobile numbers get recycled.
Patrick *********
Prepaid is fine for a bank account.
Go to an official AIS store and tell them what you need (data, voice, social media etc) and ask what promotions they currently got going.
I'm on a 300B per month unlimited 4G internet plan (it was only available when I signed up a few years ago)
Go to an official AIS store and tell them what you need (data, voice, social media etc) and ask what promotions they currently got going.
I'm on a 300B per month unlimited 4G internet plan (it was only available when I signed up a few years ago)
Jim *******
@Patrick ********
All AIS stores are official. Those at the airports have less capabilities but what the subset they have is the same just not all other the options their big stores have on offer.5G Yearly unlimited data and Internet, from the big AIS store, my mobile number, forever mine, is 3,600 THB a year.
AIS installed Thai eSIM so I can swithch betwen Japan SIM and Thai SIM dependinge where I am.
We use that iPhone in Thai as out home router. 5 devices (laptops, phones) can be serviced through that same device.
Someone mentioned a "deal" 300 THB a month for 4G. Well, maybe, our 5G is exactly 12 times that for 5G.
Marty *********
I have a monthly plan. I’m sure AIS will tell you how you can pay for it.
Alan *****
Pre paid is ok
Dennis *********
I signed up for a years internet account which was relatively cheap and just topped up my phone after almost 90 days to make calls. The internet plan ensured I maintain the phone number
Steve ***********
@Dennis ********
because we call on apps, usuallyAnt ***********
If you are staying long term
I have an AIS 12 month prepaid plan
2300 baht up front
Gives you 5G at good speed & Unlimited Data
I have a Non- O visa
It will also help if you have a long term address
For the purposes of the bank account , After the AIS is setup , ask for a statement ( 50 baht )
This statement will show your address & passport No which is needed for a Thai bank account
I have an AIS 12 month prepaid plan
2300 baht up front
Gives you 5G at good speed & Unlimited Data
I have a Non- O visa
It will also help if you have a long term address
For the purposes of the bank account , After the AIS is setup , ask for a statement ( 50 baht )
This statement will show your address & passport No which is needed for a Thai bank account
Willy *******
@Ant **********
How about after 12 months? Can you continue with same number and same plan?Ant ***********
Shane ***********
@Ant **********
was the 2300 the total cost for 12 months?Phillip ******
@Shane **********
4mbs, that's like good.for an emergency but not day to day use. Im.with AIS and pay 800b per month, 5g unlimited data and no speed cap.
John ********
@Shane **********
just note it’s 4Mbps. That’s 3G speeds from the 2000’s. In a world where apps and websites are far heavier on the data. It’s doable though. Just something to be aware of.
Shane ***********
@Ant **********
thanks mateAnt ***********
@Shane **********
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