Mobile providers and SIM cards
AIS, TrueMove and NT compared, plus what a realistic monthly plan costs.
The essentials
- AIS and TrueMove H dominate; NT is cheaper with thinner coverage.
- Prepaid SIMs are sold at the airport, in every mall and at 7-Eleven for around 50–100 THB.
- All SIMs must be registered to a passport — buying an unregistered SIM is not an option.
- A generous prepaid data package costs 300–600 THB a month.
- Postpaid contracts need a work permit or a deposit, and usually run 12 months.
Choosing a network
AIS has the broadest and most reliable coverage nationwide, including islands and rural provinces. TrueMove H is close behind and often cheaper on promotions, with strong urban 5G. NT (the state operator) is the budget option and fine in cities.
Prepaid versus postpaid
Prepaid is the right default for the first few months: no contract, top up in any convenience store, switch freely if coverage disappoints.
Postpaid makes sense once you are settled and want bundled handset deals or family plans. Expect to show a work permit, or leave a deposit of a few thousand baht.
| Plan type | Typical monthly cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid light | 150–250 THB | 10–20 GB, plenty for messaging and maps |
| Prepaid heavy | 400–600 THB | Unlimited or 100 GB+, hotspot friendly |
| Postpaid standard | 599–899 THB | Unlimited data, calls, 5G |
| eSIM tourist pack | 300–800 THB | 7–30 days data, no registration queue |
Practical notes
Keep your number alive: prepaid SIMs expire if unused, and bank OTPs go to that number.
eSIM is supported by all three major networks and is the fastest way to arrive connected.
Number portability works and takes a day or two; you keep your number when switching networks.
Official sources
Everything above is written from these. Rules change without notice, so check the relevant one before you book, pay or travel.
This page was last checked against those sources on 1 July 2026. Spotted something out of date? and we'll re-check it.