Which eSIM to choose for a trip to Thailand?

Are you planning a trip to Thailand? Beyond searching for flights and hotels, you need to think about solutions to stay connected to the internet without spending too much. If you want to benefit from a secure connection wherever you go and use your smartphone without relying on Wi-Fi, the best option is the eSIM! Discover everything you need to know about how an eSIM works in Thailand and how to get the best deal.

How to get internet on your phone in Thailand?

Previously, using your phone abroad could be very expensive. Fortunately, new phone services have been developed to allow you to access the internet without spending too much!

Having an international mobile plan

Many mobile plans include international destinations. First of all, check that Thailand is not already part of your included destinations! If this is not the case, you have little interest in changing your plan to an international plan just for one trip: these plans are generally quite expensive, with a 12 or 24 month commitment, which surely contain more data than you need on a daily basis.

Subscribe to a special travel option for Thailand or Asia

Some telephone operators offer travel options to add to their mobile plans, which can be subscribed to monthly and canceled at any time. These options allow you to benefit from calls and SMS from additional destinations (a country or a region), as well as a data allowance. However, they are quite limited and are not necessarily interesting for people who mainly want data.

Get a SIM card when you arrive at Bangkok airport

Previously, seasoned travelers used to buy a SIM card when they got off the plane, at the airport or in a shop nearby. These prepaid SIM cards allow you to benefit from a Thai mobile plan at an attractive price, but only for local use. Indeed, a SIM card from a Thai operator does not allow you to communicate with other countries. You must then communicate using your internet allowance, generally limited on this type of SIM card, to be able to remain reachable. Especially since this type of SIM forces you to change your number!

Buy a travel eSIM for Thailand or Asia

By opting for a virtual SIM card for your trip to Thailand, you can benefit from a data plan at the best price, usable instantly. Rather than queuing at the airport, you can subscribe to your Thailand eSIM plan before your trip and benefit from an internet connection as soon as you get off the plane. eSIM plans are offered with several validity periods and several data allowances to adapt to your needs and your stay, and allow you to access the Internet without roaming charges while keeping your number! If you are traveling between several Asian countries, you can also opt for an Asia eSIM plan for more freedom.

Where to buy an eSIM card for Thailand?

As you have understood, the eSIM is the best solution to access the internet during your trip to Thailand. Now it remains to know where to find one!

How do I know if my phone is compatible with eSIM?

Before looking to get an eSIM, you must first check that your smartphone is compatible with this technology. The good news? The vast majority of iOS and Android smartphones released after 2020 are equipped with this functionality! eSIM technology is also present on connected tablets equipped with the cellular function and on computers equipped with Windows 10 and later. If in doubt, you can consult the list of eSIM compatible devices.

Which operators offer eSIMs in Thailand?

You can buy a virtual SIM card for Thailand from any travel eSIM provider. These specialized operators offer data plans usable abroad and valid in many destinations, thanks to agreements with local operators.

With a UPeSIM Thailand plan, you can connect to the network of the Thai operator AIS, one of the leaders in Thai mobile telephony. You can thus enjoy the same 4G/5G network as any subscriber of this operator.

How to get an eSIM for Thailand?

To obtain an eSIM valid in Thailand, nothing could be simpler! Thailand being a very popular destination, you will have no trouble finding a plan that suits you among the offers of the various travel eSIM providers.

All you have to do is go to the website or mobile application of one of these operators to choose your data plan and activate it instantly. Since eSIMs are dematerialized, you don't have to wait to receive your SIM card by mail to be able to use your plan! Even if you forget to take care of it before your departure, you can always subscribe to your eSIM plan when you get on the plane.

At UPeSIM, we distribute our international eSIMs via our website AND our mobile application to make things easier for you: it's up to you to choose the platform that suits you best to subscribe to your offer.

How does an eSIM for Thailand work?

Are you convinced by the travel eSIM? We tell you more about how this technology works and how to use it during your stay in Thailand.

How to install an eSIM on your smartphone?

Installing a virtual SIM card on a compatible smartphone is simple and almost instantaneous: you just have to let yourself be guided! Depending on how you purchased your travel eSIM, you will be able to follow one of the following two procedures:

For an eSIM purchased via a website

The installation of your eSIM is done using a QR code sent by email with your order confirmation. All you have to do is access this email and scan the QR code with your smartphone's camera to launch the installation of your eSIM for Thailand.

For an eSIM purchased via a mobile application

By purchasing your eSIM directly on the operator's mobile application with the smartphone you want to equip, you benefit from even faster installation. No need to scan a QR code, everything happens in the app!

When should I activate an eSIM before a trip to Thailand?

From one operator to another, activating an eSIM can be automatic or require a few manipulations. In all cases, it is necessary to have an internet connection to install and activate an eSIM.

To make your life easier, UPeSIM travel eSIMs are automatically activated at the time of installation. This is why we recommend that you configure your Thailand eSIM the day before or on the day of your departure to avoid roaming charges and benefit from an internet connection as soon as you arrive in Bangkok.

Can I still use my usual SIM card after activating an eSIM?

eSIM technology allows you to install and use several SIM cards simultaneously, whether it is several virtual SIM cards or a virtual SIM card and a physical SIM card. You can therefore quite use your usual SIM card to remain reachable on your telephone number during your trip to Thailand. However, favor messaging applications such as WhatsApp or Signal to avoid out-of-bundle charges!

What is the best eSIM for Thailand?

A tourist destination par excellence, Thailand welcomes a large number of visitors every year. You therefore have the choice between many eSIMs to use your smartphone in this country! Here's how to be sure to find the best deal.

How to find the best eSIM plan in Thailand?

The best eSIM plan is above all the one adapted to your needs! If the price is one of the first selection criteria, you must also think about the amount of data needed for your trip, the validity period of your plan, but also, the quality of the network and customer service from your operator.

You therefore have no interest in taking the cheapest plan or the one with the most data if it does not correspond to your uses, or worse, if you never manage to activate it. Remember to consult customer reviews to find out the quality of the network offered in Thailand, but also, the responsiveness of customer service in the event of a problem.

What are the best eSIM offers available in Thailand?

To help you find the best eSIM plan for your trip to Thailand, we have compared the offers of several operators for you.

Holafly Thailand eSIM

unlimited data 5 days: €18.90
unlimited data 7 days: €26.90
unlimited data 10 days: €33.90
unlimited data 15 days: €46.90
unlimited data 20 days: €56.90
unlimited data 30 days: €68.90
unlimited data 60 days: €98.90
unlimited data 90 days: €128.90

Good to know: connection sharing of Holafly packages is limited to 1 GB per day.

Airalo Thailand eSIM:

10 days 50 GB: €10
unlimited data 15 days: €20
unlimited data 30 days: €35.50

UPeSIM Thailand eSIM:

7 days 1 GB: €2.99
10 days 5 GB: €9.99
30 days 10 GB: €19.99

Airalo and Holafly both offer eSIMs with unlimited data for Thailand, at higher prices than those of UPeSIM. If these offers are attractive, keep in mind that it is not useful to have so much data! We use on average between 10 and 15 GB of mobile internet per month: depending on your usage, you do not necessarily have an interest in paying a high price for an unlimited plan. Especially since the customer service of these two operators is not necessarily up to par in the event of a problem.

With UPeSIM plans, you benefit from a balanced plan, with an attractive price/data ratio as well as responsive customer service. It is also the travel eSIM provider that collects the best customer reviews, with an average of 4.8 out of 5 on the application stores! To find out more, consult our comparison of the main travel eSIM providers.