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Will a local SIM card work for tourists in Thailand instead of a tourist SIM card?

SIM CardsThailandLocal SIMTourist SIMTelecommunicationsData PlansAISMobile Phones
Jul 29, 2024
3 months ago
Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Question about SIM cards. I went to the AIS in the Lotus by On Nut to get a 30 day SIM card. I asked if they had tourist SIM cards and they gave me a Thai local SIM card, which after checking, is much less expensive than a tourist SIM card. They assured me it would work, but I’m not too convinced based on their lack of English. Can anybody clarify if it would work or if I need a “Tourist Sim Card”. I’m putting it a Samsung Note 20 Ultra brought just for that purpose, to use during the day for Bolt, Grab, maps, surfing for info, etc. I’ll use my Verizon 15 Pro Max for WiFi Calling and surfing at the hotel at night. Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A local SIM card in Thailand can effectively work for tourists just as well as a designated tourist SIM card. Many users confirm that there is no fundamental difference in functionality between the two types, aside from pricing and expiration terms. A local SIM can typically be topped up with various data plans and used for various mobile services, including calls and internet access, depending on the plan selected. It's advisable to also download the MyAIS app to manage your data and monitor your usage effectively.
М. ****
I am usually getting the 535 baht plan for 3 months from dtac. 100g per month is more then enough for me and it appear to have better coverage then AIS
3 months ago
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Jeffrey *******
It helps to understand the difference between unlimited data and speed (Mbps).

Unlimited data at a snail’s pace is crap.
3 months ago
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Jimmy **********
I had no problems with a regular sim card.
3 months ago
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Baz *********
Download the AIS app (My AIS) and register your SIM so you can manage it yourself and add packages ...

Don't just add credit card expect to get good value...

You need to manage the account and select top up package based on the credit you load on the phone
3 months ago
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Tim *******
Thanx 4 the intel on which make and models of mobile phones u r using.
3 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, used an eSIM last year because I still had service and was switching between ATT service for WiFi calling in airport mode in the hotel and eSIM when out and about.
3 months ago
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Kevin *******
Is your phone unlocked if not the sim won't work. Had to unlock my Ultra S23 works fine now.
3 months ago
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David **********
You can get data based sim cards or sim cards with lots of call available specify which one you require there are data sims less expensive. But limited calls available no such thing as a tourist sim card
3 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
 if you go to 7-11, they have multiple “tourist” SIM cards. Check pic below.
3 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
3 months ago
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David **********
@Eric *****
 no thanks
3 months ago
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David **********
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Luc ************
It's the same card but less expensive
3 months ago
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Armando **********
Put it in and find out
3 months ago
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Garrett ***********
Only difference is the price
3 months ago
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Bart **************
How would it not work? Would the SIM card know that you're a tourist?
3 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
 Maybe by the phone you put it in? Wasn’t sure.
3 months ago
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Eric ******
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Galio ****
install the app , register, and see what package you're with . some packages are with self reloading plans upon recharging. in the app you'll see everything about your package.
3 months ago
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Thaimer ******
Of course local sim card is way cheaper than tourist one. Why wouldn’t local card works with you? Card do not discriminate if you’re tourist or local.

It’s basically same product with different pricing
3 months ago
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Doug ********
They work for anybody, Thai or foreigner. Why not?
3 months ago
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Bob **********
Welcome to Thailand tourist always pay more
3 months ago
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Nick ************
Dont run out of data or your credit will be gobbled up super fast. If you phone UK use
*****
44 prefix for cheap calls. The app will clearly show cost, speed and time for data.
3 months ago
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Thaimer ******
@Nick ***********
 he won’t have any credit anyway
3 months ago
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Thaimer ******
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Pascal ********
Ofcourse it works. I never bought a tourist SIM because it´s a tourist trap 😁🙂
3 months ago
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Paul ********
The data plan you purchase with the SIM is the key. There are many customizable options, regardless of the SIM you bought.

The amount of data included can range from about 10 words to completely unlimited, and the speed offered can be turtle-like to amazingly fast.

You get what you pay for, of course, and unlimited high speed data costs a bit.

Best to load up the MyAIS ap on your phone so you can see exactly where you are with your data plan, and make changes as needed.
3 months ago
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Wylie *******
The SIM card has no idea whether you are a tourist, expat, or Thai. It should work just fine.
3 months ago
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Bob *********
The regular sim is the same as the tourist sim, at the airport and
****
they just put an expensive plan on the tourist sim good for the number of days you need.

They most likely put you on a 10 Mbps plan for 450 baht a month? It will keep working of you keep adding money to the number and buy the addon again. Visit any AIS store to top it up and keep it going
3 months ago
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John ***********
@Bob ********
 It was 500 baht from AIS in their Future Park store. True next door could only offer me a one month plan for over 1000 baht! I only wanted a one month SIM. AIS also had a 2 week SIM for around 300 baht.
3 months ago
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John ***********
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Brandon ************
The only real difference between a "tourist" sim and a regular sim is that the tourist sim will expire and cannot be extended.
3 months ago
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Steve *******
@Brandon ***********
 That's not correct, they can be topped up and used like any Thai sim card. Only the original deal (which isn't even a deal) expires.
3 months ago
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Euan ********
@Brandon ***********
 that's incorrect.

Just extended my DTAC tourist SIM card by a year.
3 months ago
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Garrett ***********
@Brandon ***********
 They expire?
3 months ago
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Steve *******
@Garrett **********
 Nope they don't expire if you top them up.
3 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Garrett **********
 the tourist sims do. They're only valid for a certain amount of time and then they're done. I've seen multiple people post about not being able to top them up or extend them because they're temporary for tourists
3 months ago
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Phil *******
@Brandon ***********
 I've never had a problem topping up a tourist sim, multiple times, I've used the same sim for 4 visits.
3 months ago
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Phil *******
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