Thailand’s a dream for travellers, but you’ll quickly realise Wi‑Fi won’t cut it when you’re navigating back streets in Bangkok or booking ferries on the islands. Staying connected makes everything smoother—from grabbing a cheap tuk‑tuk via an app to finding that noodle stall locals rave about. 

A local SIM or eSIM in Thailand is often cheaper, faster, and more reliable than roaming from home. Whether you’re here for a week or a few months, sorting your data plan early means fewer headaches and more time soaking up the beaches, markets, and nightlife.

If you stick with your Aussie provider, expect to pay AU$5–AU$15 per day for roaming, with tight data limits (often 1GB per day). Go over and you’ll get hit with extra fees. 

A local SIM or eSIM in Thailand can give you more data for less than the cost of two days’ roaming.. And it’s likely to be valid for a full month! Speeds are usually better too, since you’re connected directly to Thai networks instead of going through an international partner. 

Roaming might make sense if you’re only staying for a couple of days and don’t use much data, but for anything longer, especially if you use maps, social media, or streaming, getting a local SIM or eSIM is the better deal.

There are three main ways to get connected in Thailand:

Airport counters in Thailand are convenient; they’re clearly signposted, the staff speak English, and they’ll set up your SIM for you on the spot. The downside is that prices can be 10 to 20% higher than in-town shops, and you might need to wait in line if you arrive during a busy time.

Buying in advance (especially an eSIM) solves those problems. You can buy from Traveloka before your trip, get the QR code instantly, and activate it when you land. You’ll be connected as soon as the plane doors open, which means you can order your ride, check maps, or message your hotel right away.

If you’re arriving late at night or into a smaller airport, this is even more useful, as SIM counters can close early or have limited stock. Buying in town is cheapest, but unless you’re on a tight budget, the time saved by buying early is worth it.

Thailand’s three main mobile providers are:

For most tourists, AIS is the most reliable for coverage, DTAC offers the best bang for buck in cities, and TrueMove is a good all-rounder. If you want zero hassle, go with a Traveloka eSIM from AIS or DTAC. If you’re staying longer and don’t mind setting it up in person, buying a big-data package in a Thai store can work out cheapest.

With an eSIM, there’s no need to swap SIM trays, you can activate via QR code in minutes, and keep your Australian number active at the same time. It’s ideal for short trips, frequent flyers, or anyone who wants to land connected. You can, however, expect a slightly higher cost per GB for heavy data users.

A physical SIM, on the other hand, is often cheaper for large data packages and can offer better speeds in peak times. It does need to be installed manually, and you’ll have to make an effort to keep your original SIM safe.

If your phone supports eSIM and you value convenience, go digital. If you’re staying for weeks and need loads of data, a physical SIM may be better value.

Traveloka eSIMs for Thailand start from around AU$10 for a short-term plan. Larger data packages cost more but are still cheaper than a week of roaming. Sometimes you can get a free eSIM with selected Traveloka hotel or activity bookings, which is super handy if you’re travelling on a budget.

If Thailand is your only stop, a local SIM will almost always give you better value and faster speeds. But if you’re hopping between countries in Southeast Asia, a multi‑country SIM might save you the hassle of swapping cards.

Local Thailand SIM:

Multi-country SIM: