Internet in Thailand for tourists

Every year, Thailand attracts more than 30 million tourists with its beaches, temples and delicious food. If you plan to travel around Thailand and don’t want to overpay for roaming charges or depend solely on hotel lobby Wi-Fi to stay connected, you should know a few important things about mobile phone service in Thailand.

Thailand mobile operators and coverage in Thailand

Thailand has excellent mobile coverage, with high speed internet available in about 95% of the country. There are 4 main telecom operators AIS, True, DTAC and TOT Mobile.

The most popular operators are AIS and True. They are the most often chosen by tourists, as these providers have English-speaking support staff.

You can find AIS and True shops in Thailand in almost all major cities – Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Phuket. There are also mobile operator counters in the country’s airports.

For example, one of the popular plans offered by AIS is the AIS ZEED 5G, which costs 299 baht for 30 days. It includes:

• 15GB on a 5G network;
• 50GB on 3G and 4G networks;
• 50 minutes of calls to Thai numbers.

A data package from True will cost you 300 baht and give you 30GB of data with access to the 5G network at speeds of up to 5 megabits per second (Mbps).

How to buy a SIM card in Thailand

Foreigners can easily buy a local SIM card in Thailand. You can buy a SIM card almost anywhere: at airport kiosks, shopping centres, nearby shops, and online. The most convenient place to buy a SIM card is a 7 Eleven shop, of which there are more than 14,000 in Thailand.

To buy a Thai SIM card, you only need your passport. Before you leave after buying your SIM card, insert it into your phone and make sure it works. We also recommend writing down your local phone number so you always have it handy.

E-sim in Thailand

An eSIM is a convenient alternative to traditional physical SIM cards in Thailand. With an eSIM, you can enjoy mobile internet and all the perks of a local SIM, without having to replace the plastic card itself in your device.

All you need to do is choose a provider and tariff plan, buy an Esim and scan the QR code provided. You can even buy and set up an eSIM before you arrive in Thailand, so you can use the internet as soon as you land.

The eSIMs are available from the same mobile operators we described above.

Wi-Fi in Thailand

Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere in Thailand, making it a great option for travellers wanting to stay connected. In major cities and most smaller towns, you can easily find public wi-fi networks.

Wi-Fi is available at airports, shopping centres, cafes, restaurants and bars – you usually need to make a purchase, such as ordering a drink, to get the password to the network. Most hotels and apartments also provide free Wi-Fi for their guests.

However, it’s worth keeping safety in mind when using public Wi-Fi networks. Don’t transmit personal data, access banking apps or enter passwords over public wi-fi.

Is the internet good in Thailand

Internet in Thailand is excellent, especially in major cities and tourist areas. In 2025, Thailand is ranked in the top 10 countries in the world for fixed broadband speeds – you can enjoy fast and stable connections almost everywhere.

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that in remote and rural areas, such as the country’s northern and north-eastern regions or national parks, the situation may be different. In these areas, mobile internet speeds may slow down considerably and connections may be less stable. If you are planning a trip to such an area, it is better to download offline maps in advance.

During the monsoon season, from May to October, the weather can affect internet quality. Heavy downpours sometimes cause mobile internet outages, so coverage may be less stable during this time.

Whether you need and can use a VPN in Thailand

Thailand bans pornographic sites and services that defame the honour of the Thai monarchy. Otherwise, most resources are available in the country, so you can do without a VPN. But if you need it, you can safely download the programme – it is legal to use VPN in Thailand.

Do you need to close your SIM card before leaving Thailand?

You do not have to close your SIM card before leaving Thailand. If you do not top up the balance, the card is automatically blocked after a certain period of time, the period depends on the operator’s policy, most often it is several months.

You can also use a travel SIM card, which deactivates itself a week or a month after activation. This is a good option for short trips, you won’t have to worry about the balance or the need to close the card before you leave