Thailand is one of the most visited destinations in Asia, and with the Lantern Festival (Yi Peng and Loy Krathong) just around the corner in November, it’s no surprise that travelers are preparing for their trips.
From the glowing skies of Chiang Mai to the serene rivers of Bangkok, it’s a magical time to visit. But amid the crowds and roaming fees, staying connected can quickly become a challenge. You can skip this process by purchasing and activating an eSIM online before arriving at your destination.
That’s where eSIMs for Thailand come in. An eSIM for international travel gives you instant data access without hunting for a local SIM card. It’s a convenient, budget-friendly, and eco-conscious way to stay connected while traveling across the country.
To make your planning easier, I’ve tested and rounded up the best eSIMs for Thailand that deliver reliable coverage, high-speed data, and flexible plans.
|
Provider |
Thailand plans |
Features that sold me |
Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Saily |
Plans start from $2.99 for 1GB for 7 days |
5G available Premium security features included |
View offer |
|
2. Ubigi |
Plans start from $4 for 1GB for 7 days |
Annual plan- 60GB for $58 10% exclusive discount code- TECHRADAR |
View offer |
|
3. Alosim |
Plans start from $5 for 1GB for 7 days |
Phone number included with the plan Most popular plan- 3GB for $12 for 30 days |
View offer |
|
4. Nomad |
Plans start from $5 for 1GB for 7 days |
Data tethering available |
View offer |
|
5. Jetpac |
Plans start from $4 for 1GB for 4 days |
Free access to WhatsApp chat, Uber, and Google maps when data runs out Most popular option- unlimited data for 10 days for 49.99 |
View offer |
|
6. Holafly |
Plans start from $3.90 for unlimited data for 1 day |
Fully customizable plans 5% exclusive discount code- TECHRADAR |
View offer |
The best eSIMs for Thailand of 2025 in full:
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Best eSIM overall
Saily is overall the best eSIM for Thailand. The plans are affordable, and the service is compatible with both Android and iPhone devices.
There are several pricing options available for Thailand. Choose from $2.99 for 1GB and 7 days, $4.99 for 3GB and 30 days, $6.99 for 5GB and 30 days, $8.99 for 10GB and 30 days, and finally, $17.99 for 20GB and 30 days.
The unlimited plan is customizable and can be purchased for 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 days.
Compared to some long-standing eSIMs on the market, Saily has some standout features like virtual location, web protection, and an ad blocker. Installation is a no-fuss as well, with clear instructions on how to purchase the plan and activate the network. This makes it a great choice for users who aren’t that familiar with eSIMs.
Speaking of that, if you are a new user, bear in mind that when you buy the plan, you’re actually just getting mobile data, and your original phone number stays the same. To activate Saily, all you need to do is tap “Active eSIM” in the app, and you’re good to go.
Being managed by the same team as NordVPN, you can expect a similar standard when it comes to support. The service provides a detailed knowledge base for customer self-service, as well as 24/7 in-app live chat assistance. You can also contact them at [email protected] for any general inquiries.
Read our full Saily review.
Best eSIM for robust network
Ubigi is a part of the NTT group and offers its services to a large number of countries all around the world, Thailand being one of them.
The pricing for Thailand plans starts at $5 for 1GB for 7 days. Apart from 1GB, you have a choice of 3GB, 10GB, 25GB, or unlimited data. Unlimited data allowance for 7 days is priced at $29, or $69 if you choose 30 days.
There are also plans for Asian countries in general; these are naturally a bit more expensive, but can come in handy if you plan to visit the neighboring countries.
Ubigi supports 5G coverage in Thailand, via TrueMove, and the service is a full MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), which means higher speeds and better connectivity.
In addition to that, Ubigi fully supports data tethering, a great feature if you’re traveling with someone or need to share your data with another person.
Unfortunately, the company doesn’t support any phone calls or SMS, so you’ll have to stick to VoIP services such as WhatsApp and the like.
To get in touch with support, you can either fill out the contact form on the official website or use the live chat option.
In reality, you likely won’t even need it, because using Ubigi and activating your eSIM is a piece of cake and lasts only a few minutes. On top of that, there are plenty of FAQs, and a lot of support documents and troubleshooting guides on the website.
Read our full Ubigi review.
Best eSIM for calls
aloSIM is another first-rate eSIM provider you can use when visiting Thailand. You can buy various data plans, including $5 for 1 GB for 7 days, $8.50 for 2 GB for 15 days, $12 for 3 GB for 30 days, $19 for 5 GB for 30 days, $29 for 10 GB for 30 days, and $45 for 20 GB for 30 days. These prices are slightly expensive than Saily and Ubigi.
The two unlimited options are fairly priced. Users can choose between 10 or 15 days, priced at $20 and $35, respectively.
There are also two multi-region options available that include Thailand. The Asia Five and Asia plan cover 5 and 13 countries, respectively. Prices for both plans start from $5.
aloSIM has partnered with the sister app Hushed to bring you a phone number that you can claim for free when purchasing a data pack.
aloSIM also offers excellent customer service and fast browsing speeds. The only drawback we found is that there are no unlimited data plan options.
Read our full aloSIM review.
Best eSIM for data tethering
Nomad is a reliable eSIM provider that caters to tourists. Thai visitors can choose from various plans: 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 15 GB, 30 GB, 40 GB, or 50 GB. Pricing depends on the data volume and validity period. For example, 50 GB for 10 days costs $12, while 50 GB for 30 days costs $125. $1 GB for 7 days costs $5, and 3 GB for 30 days costs $11.
Nomad’s plans are affordable, considering the data volume you’ll get. However, there is no phone number included in Nomad’s data plans.
This eSIM provider has network-sharing agreements with DTAC and AIS, two of the biggest mobile carriers in Thailand. Hence, robust coverage and browsing speeds are never a problem. Depending on your location, you can browse with 4G or 5G.
Purchasing a Nomad eSIM requires no formal documentation. You can pay for the package online, activate it, and connect once you arrive in Thailand.
Read our full Nomad review.
Best eSIM for added perks
Jetpac is a great eSIM option for people visiting Thailand. You can choose from a variety of packages, including $4 for 1 GB for 4 days, $8 for 3 GB for 7 days, $12 for 5 GB for 30 days, $22 for 10 GB for 30 days, $29 for 15 GB for 30 days, $28 for 20 GB for 30 days, $44 for 30 GB for 30 days, and $64 for 40 GB for 30 days. Jetpac has network-sharing agreements with AIS and True Move, two leading Thai telecom firms, to provide robust coverage and browsing speed.
You can also buy the Asia-Pacific plan, which covers 15 countries, including Thailand. The prices are similar, giving you network access across multiple Asian countries for a reasonable sum.
The Jetpac subscription plan is unique in the eSIM market and is an ideal option for frequent travelers.
The JetFlex plan starts at $15 per month and gives you between 5 and 10GB of data roaming. It covers over 100 countries, and you can add on perks like lounge access and fast-track.
The Jet Pro plan is for business travelers. Starting at $45, this plan includes 7 GB of data roaming and covers over 100 countries. Lounge access and fast track are already included in this membership, with the option to add more perks.
Purchasing a Jetpac eSIM is as easy as it gets. You can pay for the package online and install the eSIM via the Jetpac app.
Once you arrive in Thailand, your eSIM latches onto a local network to provide speedy connectivity. You don’t need formal documentation to buy and register your Jetpac eSIM. The main drawback is Jetpac’s lack of an unlimited data plan.
Read our full Jetpac review.
Best eSIM for unlimited data
Holafly is another excellent eSIM provider for Thailand visitors. This eSIM provider offers unlimited data plans for up to 90 days in a row, with pricing depending on the number of days you choose.
For example, you can pay $3.90 for 1 day, $19.50 for 5 days, $36.90 for 10 days, $62 for 20 days, or $96 for 50 days. Holafly is pricey but worth it, considering the unlimited data you’ll enjoy. It is one of the few eSIM providers that offers only unlimited data plans.
We like that Holafly has no fixed pricing plan. Instead, you choose the exact number of days you expect to stay in Thailand and pay a corresponding price. This way, you avoid overspending on unused days.
Holafly doesn’t offer a phone number, but you can still call and text your friends using VoIP apps like WhatsApp.
You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot, although sharing is limited to 500 MB daily. This eSIM provider offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. Use code TECHRADAR to get 5% off.
Read our full Holafly review.
Best eSIMs for Thailand FAQs
What is an eSIM?
eSIM is an abbreviation for embedded SIM. It is a SIM card embedded directly on a smartphone instead of a plastic SIM card you can easily swap or discard. An eSIM comprises software installed on a chip directly soldered on a smartphone. It can be reprogrammed with new information whenever you want to delete or add a new network profile.
Physical SIM cards have functioned well for a long time, so why change it? The answer is that eSIMs function even better. With an eSIM, you no longer need to stress yourself swapping SIM cards when you want to register for a new network. Instead, you’ll simply install a new profile on the embedded SIM without moving any physical component.
A single eSIM chip can hold up to 8 network profiles. Do you know any smartphone with 8 physical SIM slots? Probably not. eSIMs make life easier for frequent travelers who need network access when visiting new countries. Instead of visiting local shops to swap physical SIM cards, travelers can simply install new network profiles on their eSIMs. Installing a new profile requires just a few clicks of the button, and you’re good to go.
If you plan to visit Thailand, you can buy and install an eSIM while in your own country. Then, activate the eSIM profile once you land in Thailand, and you’ll enjoy network access.
Why do I need an eSIM when visiting Thailand?
Thailand is one of the most visited countries in Asia, with nearly 40 million tourists arriving annually. Most visitors need network access during their stay in Thailand, and eSIMs make this happen. Some tourists can roam on their domestic networks, but international roaming from traditional mobile carriers costs a lot. The best alternative is to buy an eSIM that offers cost-effective data plans in Thailand.
You can purchase and activate your eSIM outside Thailand. Then, once you land in Thailand, switch on the network profile to start surfing the web. Most eSIM providers don’t offer phone numbers because of the complicated regulations and infrastructure required to provide this service. However, with your internet access, you can still use VoIP apps like WhatsApp to call and text.
eSIM providers have network-sharing agreements with Thai telecom companies. When you arrive in Thailand and switch on your eSIM infrastructure, you’ll connect to the same telecom infrastructure locals enjoy. Thailand has a robust telecoms infrastructure, so speedy internet is never a problem.
Is my smartphone eSIM-compatible?
The first version of an eSIM was released in March 2016 and another updated version came in November 2016. However, eSIMs didn’t take off until 2018, when Apple released the first eSIM-compatible iPhone in the U.S. Many smartphone makers have followed suit, with most new phones being compatible with eSIMs. Some phones have discarded the physical SIM slot altogether and work with only eSIMs.
You can confirm if your device is compatible by following the below steps:
For iPhones
- Open the Settings app and tap on Cellular.
- Check for the Add eSIM button. If you see this button, your iPhone is eSIM-compatible. If you don’t see this button, your iPhone doesn’t work with eSIMs.
For Android phones
- Open the Settings app.
- Select About Phone.
- Look for SIM Status or a similar option.
- Check for any mention of eSIM or Embedded SIM. If you see it, your Android device is eSIM-compatible. Otherwise, the device likely doesn’t work with eSIMs.
If you’re still uncertain, check your smartphone manufacturer’s website for technical specifications. If your smartphone is eSIM-compatible, it’ll be mentioned in the technical specs.
Considerations for choosing an eSIM
1. Cost
Cost is the primary consideration when shopping for an eSIM provider, as you need a plan you can comfortably afford. The good news is that you can find eSIM plans even with a little budget. If you don’t need much data, you can choose a 1 GB plan that costs a few dollars. If you’re a high-volume internet user, e.g., movie streaming and online gaming, you can select an unlimited data plan that costs significantly more. The bigger the data allowance, the higher the cost.
2. Reliable coverage
You need an eSIM that provides reliable coverage in your location, Thailand in this case. We’ve mentioned that eSIM providers have network-sharing agreements with domestic telecom firms in each country. Check what domestic networks your provider uses before buying a plan. Multiple networks mean better redundancy, i.e., one can substitute if the other has coverage issues. However, there are no issues if your eSIM provider relies on a single domestic carrier with robust coverage.
3. Validity
How long is your data plan valid for? Most data plans are valid for 7 to 30 days, after which you must renew to retain data access. This validity period is sufficient for most tourists who don’t plan to stay in Thailand for too long. However, if you plan to stay in Thailand for long, you can find the rare eSIM provider with annual plans or opt for a local SIM.
4. Customer service
Things can go wrong at any time, and you should be able to access customer service if that happens. An ideal eSIM provider should have a support team you can contact via live chat, telephone, or email to file complaints and resolve them. Check reviews to see what previous customers say about an eSIM provider’s support system before making a final decision.
5. Data usage
Most eSIM providers offer capped data plans (1 GB, 3 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB, etc.), but a few offer unlimited data plans. Consider your browsing habits and select a plan that is sufficient for your needs.
How we tested the best eSIMs for Thailand
We tested the best eSIMs for Thailand by evaluating numerous factors. To start with, we looked at how easy the setup is, the simplicity of use on the go, and the connectivity and reliability of the service. We carried out the tests using both iPhone and Android phone models in order to gauge whether the experience was the same for each, or whether one type had a greater advantage over the other. We then compared the overall results to draw up our list.
Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.
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