eSIM plans for Thailand

Why do you need an eSIM for Thailand?

Thailand is outside the European Union, so your "roam like at home" plan does not work here. As soon as you land in Bangkok or Phuket, your Spanish operator will charge you international roaming at Zone 3 prices, with data that can cost several euros per megabyte. A couple of maps, some Instagram stories, and a few restaurant searches are enough to give you a shock of tens of euros on your bill.

Until now, you had three inconvenient options: activate roaming and overpay, queue at the airport to buy a local SIM card from AIS or True by showing your passport, or carry a pocket WiFi that needs to be returned and recharged every night. The eSIM solves this in one go: you buy online, receive a QR code by email, and scan it. No plastic, no queues, and internet ready as soon as you set foot in Thailand.

How much does roaming cost in Thailand?

As Thailand is outside the EU, Spanish operators apply extra-European roaming charges. Daily travel passes for Southeast Asia usually cost around €10-15 per day with very limited data (often 100-500 MB), and without a pass, data usage can exceed €2-6 per megabyte. For a two-week trip, we're easily talking about €100-200 just for data. A Thailand eSIM with several GB costs a fraction of that, with savings of around 80-90%.

How much does an eSIM for Thailand cost?

PuraSIM plans for Thailand have no contracts or hidden fees: you choose the GB and days you need and pay once. A light plan for a short getaway costs a few euros, while larger GB packs for longer stays are still much cheaper than a single day of roaming. Take a lookview all eSIM plans for Thailand to find the one that fits your trip.

How many GB do I need for Thailand?

It depends on how much you use your mobile. If you'll mostly be using hotel WiFi and only need maps, messaging, and some social media, a small amount will be more than enough. If you share stories, videos, and browse daily, aim higher. This table will guide you based on the number of days and your usage type:

What is the best eSIM for Thailand?

The best eSIM is one that connects to the mobile network with the best coverage in the country. In Thailand, the main operators are AIS (the most extensive network), TrueMove H and dtac, all with 4G LTE in virtually all tourist areas and 5G already active in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and other areas. PuraSIM eSIMs rely on these local networks to give you the best available signal wherever you are.

• Top-tier local network: You connect to AIS, True, or dtac, no second-rate signal.
• Activation in 1 minute: Scan the QR code and be ready before you even take off.
• Data sharing (hotspot): Share internet with your laptop, tablet, or travel companions.
• No commitment and with guarantee: One-time payment and 24/7 Spanish support if anything goes wrong.

Coverage in Thailand: city by city

4G/5G coverage is excellent in major cities and tourist areas, and remains strong on islands and in villages. Here's what you can expect:

• Bangkok: 5G in the city center, the BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, and Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) airports.
• Phuket and Krabi: Good 4G/5G coverage on beaches, in the old town, and at Phuket International Airport (HKT).
• Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai: Stable signal in the historic center, temples, and night markets of the north.
• Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao: 4G in tourist hubs; in more remote coves and jungles, it may drop to 3G.
• Pattaya and Ayutthaya: Full coverage in the city, promenade, and historic temples.
• Transport: Good signal on trains, buses, and ferries between destinations; in mountainous or open sea sections, there may be occasional cuts.

eSIM, local SIM, or pocket WiFi

A local SIM requires queuing at the airport, showing your passport, and physically changing your card, with the risk of losing your Spanish one. Pocket WiFi is another device to carry, return, and share, and if you move away from it, you lose data. The eSIM wins in convenience: you buy it before you leave, install it at home, and keep your Spanish number active for SMS and WhatsApp while browsing with data from Thailand. For most travelers, it's the simplest and most economical option.

How do you activate the eSIM for Thailand?

• Buy online: Choose your plan and receive the QR code by email in minutes.
• Install at home with WiFi: Scan the QR code and add the eSIM before you travel (it doesn't use data yet).
• Activate upon arrival: When you land in Thailand, select the eSIM as your data line.
• Connect: Activate data roaming for that line and you'll be browsing instantly.

Tips for not overspending

• Deactivate roaming on your Spanish SIM and only use the eSIM for data; this will prevent surprise charges.
• Download offline maps of Bangkok or the islands to use less data.
• Connect to hotel WiFi for large downloads and photo backups.
• Calculate your GB before you leave using the table above and only top up if you truly need to.

Are you traveling to more destinations?

If Thailand is just one stop, we have plans for the entire region. Check out our eSIM for Asia if you're moving between several countries, or specific plans for eSIM for VietnameSIM for Indonesia if you're combining beaches and cities. Longer trip or round-the-world adventure? Take a look at our global plans with coverage in dozens of countries.