To stay connected in Thailand you have four options: a travel eSIM, a local SIM (AIS or TrueMove H), Wi-Fi and roaming. Coverage is excellent, around 92 percent of the country in 4G/5G, reaching the islands. Since 2025 a local SIM requires in-store biometric registration. For most travellers the eSIM is simplest: ready before departure, active the moment you land.
Good news up front: Thailand is one of the best countries in the world to stay connected. The network is fast, dense and reliable, even on the islands. So the real question is not “will I have signal” but “how do I get on it with the least hassle”.
Here are the four options, their real prices and their catches, so you can choose with your eyes open.
Thailand’s mobile network, a genuine strength
Two operators run the country: AIS and TrueMove H, the latter having absorbed DTAC’s plans after their 2023 merger. Both have invested heavily in 5G.
The practical result is 4G/5G coverage reaching around 92 percent of the country, with fast speeds in the cities, up to roughly 900 Mbps in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and solid coverage on islands like Koh Phi Phi. AIS has a slight edge for rural and island reach, TrueMove H for city speed. For a traveller, the difference is minor.
The travel eSIM, the simplest option
This is what changed the game for travellers. An eSIM is a fully digital SIM: nothing to insert, nothing to remove. You install it remotely before departure by scanning a QR code, and switch on data when you arrive.
A travel eSIM connects by roaming onto the local networks, AIS and TrueMove H. You get the same coverage as a Thai SIM with none of the on-the-ground steps: no passport to show, no airport queue, no biometric check. You step off the plane and you are online.
This is where Orange has a real edge. Orange serves more than 300 million customers and runs a wide web of negotiated roaming agreements worldwide. Those agreements are exactly what connect you cleanly to the right Thai networks. The eSIM for Thailande is set up before you leave, with 24/7 support and a 100% refund if you never use it. You choose your data amount in advance, so you know your cost.
The local AIS or TrueMove SIM, what to know
You can buy a local tourist SIM at the airport on arrival, or at a shop in town. The AIS and TrueMove H stands are easy to spot at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, and 7-Eleven stores sell them too.
Prices are consistent: from 250 baht (7.50 €) for 7 days to 399 baht (10 €) for 30 days with 75 GB. The network is the same one described above, so quality is excellent.
But several frictions, specific to Thailand, weigh on the decision:
- Mandatory biometric registration since 2025. You must present your passport and, under rules that took effect in August 2025, pass a biometric liveness check, usually facial recognition on camera. This is the biggest sticking point.
- Airport markup of 20 to 30 percent over the in-town price, exactly where most people buy, tired and in a hurry.
- Queues at arrivals during busy periods.
- Fair-use policy. Even on “unlimited” plans, full speed is often capped beyond about 2.5 GB per day.
The local SIM remains a fair option, mainly for a long stay where you want a Thai number. But for a normal trip, the arrival hassle weighs heavily against an eSIM that is already set up.
Wi-Fi, a complement only
Wi-Fi is everywhere in Thailand: hotels, cafes, restaurants, malls. It is great for big downloads in the evening. But it does not replace a mobile connection for navigating, booking a Grab, or completing the TDAC, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card you must fill in before you land. Lean on Wi-Fi as a backup, not a main solution.
Roaming on your home plan
Thailand is outside the European Union. Your home plan will roam, but at high rates without a dedicated pass, and the bill climbs fast. Some operators sell daily passes, often pricey over the length of a trip. Keep this for very short stays or when you have no prepared alternative.
The comparison
| Option | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Ready before departure, no admin, known cost, local 4G/5G | Needs an eSIM-compatible phone |
| Local AIS / TrueMove SIM | Thai number, local data price | Passport + biometrics, queue, airport markup |
| Wi-Fi | Free, everywhere | Fixed, useless on the move |
| Home-plan roaming | Nothing to install | High non-EU rates, unpredictable |
- The network is excellent everywhere, right down to the main islands.
- A local SIM requires passport and biometrics since 2025.
- An eSIM skips all admin: set up before, active on landing.
- You need mobile data to complete the TDAC before arrival.
- Keep hotel Wi-Fi for big evening downloads.
Our verdict
Thailand has no coverage problem, so the choice comes down to simplicity. The local SIM makes you show a passport, pass a facial-recognition check, queue, and pay more at the airport. All that after a long flight.
The travel eSIM removes those frictions: you set it up calmly at home, you land, you switch on, and you are online to book your first Grab. With Orange, its roaming agreements connect you to the local 4G/5G networks, support is available 24/7, and the eSIM is 100% refunded if you never use it. For the vast majority of travellers, it is the best balance of simplicity and reliability.
Land in Thailand already connected
