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.
Phra Khanong · Experience date May 6, 2026
Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank (KBank), and SCB all accept any Thai mobile number for SMS OTP, including tourist SIMs. The important thing is having a +66 number — the bank doesn't check whether it's a tourist or regular SIM. This means you can register for mobile banking with a tourist SIM and later port or switch to a different SIM — as long as you update the registered phone number in the banking app.
Phra Khanong · Experience date Jan 6, 2026
AIS eSIM can be purchased and activated entirely through the AIS app — upload passport photo and selfie, choose a plan, activated in under 30 minutes. TrueMove H eSIM requires visiting a True Move H branch. For iPhone XS or newer: AIS eSIM is the most convenient option for Bangkok. Plans: same as physical SIM pricing, 299–599 THB for tourist packages. Great for phones without available physical SIM slots.
Ari · Experience date Mar 6, 2026
7-Eleven sells AIS and TrueMove H SIM cards 24/7 across Bangkok (there are 12,000 7-Elevens in Thailand). Ask for 'sim card tourist' at the counter. Price: 299–399 THB for tourist packages. Staff can activate the card — takes 5 minutes. Limitation: you cannot upgrade to a regular prepaid plan at 7-Eleven. For long stays (2+ months): buy at 7-Eleven for first month, then visit an AIS or TrueMove H service center for a better monthly plan.
Sukhumvit · Experience date Dec 20, 2025
Most Bangkok services require Thai mobile number verification via SMS OTP: Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, SCB mobile banking, True Money, Grab, Foodpanda, hospital appointment systems, and immigration online services. A tourist SIM gives you a +66 number that works for all OTP verification. Without a Thai number, setting up any of these services is impossible or very difficult. Get a SIM before anything else.
Silom · Experience date Nov 13, 2025
After testing all three: AIS wins for overall Bangkok coverage and data speed — 50–100 Mbps in central areas. TrueMove H (True Corporation) is close second, excellent in shopping malls and condos. DTAC has weakest coverage in basement and underground MRT stations. For data-heavy remote work: AIS or TrueMove H. For budget: DTAC tourist SIM at 199 THB gives 8GB but patchy coverage in outer areas.
Thonglor · Experience date May 6, 2026
Many Bangkok expats run dual SIM: personal AIS SIM and a work-dedicated TrueMove H SIM (or vice versa). Useful if employer pays for a work data plan. Thai Android phones typically support dual SIM; iPhone dual SIM via physical + eSIM. Some businesses have corporate SIM plans (bulk purchase from AIS/TrueMove H) — ask your employer if this is available. Keeping numbers separate helps with work-life boundaries.
Phra Khanong · Experience date Feb 1, 2026
Bangkok's 24-hour 7-Elevens and Family Marts sell SIM top-up vouchers at any hour. You can also top up via the AIS or TrueMove H apps with a foreign Visa/Mastercard at any time. For AIS: online top-up via ais.th with card. TrueMove H: truemoveh.com/en. Handy when you realize your data runs out at 2am in Bangkok — something that happens more often than you'd expect in a city with great late-night social life.