Hi fellow tight asses I need your advice to get data on my phone in Thailand
Is it best to get a physical SIM at the airport (did that in Bali and it's clearly overpriced but convenient) or get an eSIM before like Airalo (AUD 30 for 15 days of data isnt really a good deal either is it) ?
cheers
I think I just got an AIS (their Telstra) eSim when I went. From memory I couldn't go True because they needed you to sign up in store, and the dtac website was broken.
E sim hassle free.
Apologies for the non tightass answer - I just think buying a physical SIM sucks, if your phone supports an eSIM it's just so much easier and less fussy. I use Airalo every time I travel and have never had any issues, I'll never go back to mucking around getting a physical SIM.
Like you hinted at - airport physical SIM prices are often bullshit higher as well. Yeah, the ~$30 AUD for 15 days in Thailand from Airalo isn't amazing value, but it'll work the second you land.
Thanks for insight, will go with airalo
How much are the airport SIMs in Thailand?
In Vietnam, it was around $20 for data-only, but they are super efficient at setting it all up for you, including the gov't ID stuff (like in Aus.) Easier than eSIM.
The tourist SIM I bought at Phuket airport recently was the same price as I saw advertised elsewhere in Thailand. I don't think there was any markup. And yes, the setup was on rails - had a fully setup SIM within 2 minutes. One person handling my phone and another entering the details from my passport.
about $30 for 15 days of data at the airport but you have to queue up to register and activate it which can rapidly become a nightmare
How long will you be there for? I usually buy the sim off Klook and pick it up at the airport counter when I arrive. I am not sure what the retail price is, but Klook prices seems quite reasonable.
about a month. Did you face a long queue to pick it up or was it smooth ?
The queue was not long when I was there around maybe 4 or 5 people. But it really depends on your luck whether there are other tourists landing at the same time, etc. 30 days narrows down your choices considerably, since most travel sims are 15 days or less.
I got a esim from this place. Worked as claimed, no issues. Just be aware that most esims will become 'active' when you scan the QR code. So don't do it too early if you are tight on days.
Thailand: eSIM or local SIM ?
Yes, eSIM or local SIM.
advice to get data on my phone in Thailand
Check out Flexiroam.
You get free data each year if you have a Latitude card.
Also, when you create an account for the app, they often send you a welcome offer, but you usually need to redeem it within a couple of weeks, so don't do it too early.
Something to know as well. You cannot get physical sims there without going into a main store and presenting your passport. At least, that was the state of things in March. 7-11 wouldn't sell me one.
You can get them at the airport on arrival.
Correct. At the branded store and with your passport handy. Perhaps I should have specified 'official' instead of 'main'. But if OP skipped the airport (the plans there aren't good plans), then he needs to be made aware that he can't go into any old place to get one.
I went to a DTAC kiosk at a shopping centre. They do require you to present your passport. Registration took 10 or so minutes. Cost around $10 for unlimited data for 15 days. So much better than relying on Wifi, especially if you are in rural locations.
Pickup at airport when arrive https://www.klook.com/en-AU/activity/16587-dtac-4g-sim-thail… (also use cashrewards) - used a few times, about $8AUD for 8 days
Or you can get delivered to your home within four working days, I haven't tried: https://www.klook.com/en-AU/activity/77683-xplori-4g-sim-car…
It was about $12 Australian for 7 days unlimited data at Don Muang Aiport. There was a bunch of kiosks. There was a kiosk a couple dollars cheaper that had a mass of Asian tourists around it waiting 20 minutes to save $2 on their holiday. My kiosk had no-one there and all completed in a matter of minutes. I think it was DTAC.
Up to you as they say.
This.
Plenty of kiosks at the airport. Price is usually the same as that advertised on the respective websites.
Top ups for longer stays are super simple - If I'm returning soon, I give the SIM some extra life for almost nothing and it's still good for the next trip.
I'm not sure if the online e-sims be extended beyond the eight or fifteen days.
We are going to Thailand for 20 days or so and looking at this deal https://mobimatter.com/travel-esim/thailand
When 10 days is up, does anyone know if it can easily be extended or needs to be repurchased?
local sim plus WIFI
just to avoid overpriced roaming charges