Bangkok
SIM providers, plans, and activation tips.
You'll find that buying a SIM at 7-Eleven is a fast and simple way to get started, with tourist plans from AIS and True Move available for 299-399 THB. Most newcomers don't realize that these tourist SIMs expire in 30 days, so you'll need to upgrade to a non-tourist plan at an operator store like MBK Center once you have a local address. Watch out for hotspot usage, as it can quickly drain your daily quota. For longer stays, consider AIS for its reliable 5G coverage, or True Move's unlimited plan for 399 THB/month. To get started, head to any 7-Eleven today and purchase a tourist SIM for 299-399 THB, a convenient first step in getting connected in Bangkok.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Any 7-Eleven · Experience date Apr 1, 2026
Every 7-Eleven sells AIS and True Move tourist SIMs. They're in a rack near the counter, cost 299–399 THB, and are already activated. Staff just scan the barcode, you show your passport, done in 3 minutes. The plans are identical to airport and operator stores. Good for immediate setup if you can't get to an airport store counter.
MBK Center or any operator store · Experience date Apr 5, 2026
Airport tourist SIMs are capped at 30 days. Once you have an address and are staying longer, go to any AIS or True Move shop with your passport and get a local subscriber SIM. The monthly plans are more flexible, often cheaper per GB, and can be renewed indefinitely. The switch takes 15 minutes in-store. Some operators require a Non-Immigrant visa for local subscriber registration — a tourist visa gives you tourist SIM only.
City-wide · Experience date Apr 7, 2026
I tested AIS, True Move, and DTAC-True for 2 months in Bangkok. AIS has the fastest and most consistent 4G/5G coverage across BTS routes, malls, and Sukhumvit area. True Move is cheaper and fine for most use. DTAC merged with True in 2023 and the combined network is improving but still inconsistent. For remote workers or heavy users, AIS Unlimited plans at 599–799 THB/month are solid.
City-wide · Experience date Mar 30, 2026
Thai mobile plans count hotspot usage against your daily high-speed quota. A 2-hour video call over hotspot will exhaust most daily allowances. If you work remotely and need a reliable hotspot for a laptop, either get a MiFi device with a data-only SIM or subscribe to the highest-tier plan. AIS's top plan (899 THB/month) has a separate 30GB hotspot allowance.
Silom · Experience date Mar 9, 2026
Tested speeds across Bangkok: AIS gets 80–120 Mbps in Sukhumvit BTS corridor and Silom, 40–70 Mbps in On Nut and Phra Khanong, 50–80 Mbps in Ari and Phahon Yothin. TrueMove H: similar in central areas, slightly faster in some Thonglor/Ekkamai condos. Both drop to 20–40 Mbps in older Chinatown/Yaowarat buildings and in deep basement areas. MRT underground stations have reasonable signal on AIS.
Sukhumvit · Experience date Apr 22, 2026
AIS offers excellent regional roaming packages: 'Asia Roaming' 15GB for 7 days at 299 THB — covers Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos. Good for frequent travelers in Southeast Asia. Activate via AIS app before travel. TrueMove H has similar packages at slightly higher prices. For longer stays in neighboring countries: buy a local SIM — still cheaper than roaming for stays over 3 days.
Silom · Experience date Feb 4, 2026
TrueMove H SIM holders get free access to TrueMove H WiFi hotspots across Bangkok — marked as 'True WiFi' in major shopping malls, airports, and some street areas. Dozens of hotspots at CentralWorld, Terminal 21, EmQuartier, Siam Paragon. Connect automatically if you've registered your SIM number in the TrueMove H app. Useful for conserving mobile data allowance in malls. Speed is variable — 10–50 Mbps.
Thonglor · Experience date Jan 11, 2026
The AIS app (My AIS) has a full English interface. Functions: check data balance, buy add-on packages, top up, view billing history, contact customer support. Download immediately after getting an AIS SIM. Particularly useful: set a data usage alert to avoid running out mid-month. The app also shows network coverage maps — useful if you're considering moving to a new area.
Ari · Experience date Dec 19, 2025
Both AIS and TrueMove H offer unlimited data plans but with speed throttling after a high-speed quota. AIS: 299 THB/month for unlimited data (50Mbps for first 30GB, then throttled to 1 Mbps). TrueMove H: similar pricing. For remote workers: the 30GB high-speed quota is enough for a month of normal remote work. After throttling, basic browsing works fine but video calls degrade. For unthrottled data: AIS 'Super Unlimited' at 499 THB gives 100GB at full speed.
Sukhumvit · Experience date Dec 29, 2025
AIS has the best coverage in Bangkok and a convenient counter past customs at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) arrivals. Tourist SIM with 15GB data and 100 minutes of local calls costs 299 THB, valid 30 days. Just show your passport — no Thai address needed. Activated immediately. AIS has the most consistent 4G coverage across Bangkok's BTS/MRT routes and expressways.