In my past trips to Thailand I always thought about getting a thai prepaid simcard. I always dismissed the thought – I was always too lazy to do some research, I was concerned that it would be too complicated or too expensive. On this holiday I FINALLY did it and got myself a Prepaid-SIM-Card.

You can find everything you need about this topic in this blogpost – you will learn it step by step. The most important rule is that your phone doesn’t have SIM-Lock. It’s also like this when you’re home and doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with your holiday. The rest is easy and uncomplicated.

THE BEST Providers IN THAILAND

There are three big mobile operators and they all offer tourist rates. The prices are similar to each other and the mobile coverage seems to be equally good – from what I read online.

True Move H: Tourist Inter SIM
dtac: Happy Internet Package
AIS: Traveller SIM

FFor what offer you decide is up to you. But you can’t go wrong with either of them and you would be happy with all of them. SMS and phonecalls will only cost a couple of cents and datavolume is affordable with around 7 Euro. I’m using the Happy Tourist Offer by dtac and right now I’m happy with it. The 3G Internet as well as telephone calls or SMS function without problems.

Where in Thailand can I buy a thail SIM-Card?

» 1. Directly at the airport  – Free or at the Shop

I’ve read online that SIM-cards are often provided for free at airports. Unfortunately I didn’t see this anywhere. Maybe I oversaw this at the airport, because I was too tired or too concentrated on my luggage. But there are a lot of shops at the airport. I bought my simcard at the luggage band on the way to the taxistalls. It only took about 3 Minutes and the employee put in the Simcard and also activated it for me.

» 2. At the Mall  – MBK Center or CentralWorld Bangkok

You can also buy a SIM Card at one of the malls in Bangkok. When we were at MBK Center we saw dozens of shops, that sell mobilephones and accessoires, as well as SIM-cards. Don’t be scared – they won’t sell crap to you. If you’re not sure, just buy it at the airport.

» 3. t 7 Eleven Supermarket – you can find this supermarket on almost every street in Thailand

It is also possible to buy a SIM-card at the supermarket and recharge your balance – more about that below. The most popular and common supermarket in Thailand is 7 Eleven. You can find it in almost every street and you can buy the SIM Card directly at the cashier. Just ask them for help. The employee will activate the card for you.

» 4. Order online – for example at Amazon

Maybe you can also try to order the SIM Card beforehand at home. For example at Amazon. I wouldn’t recommend this choice, because it’s more expensive, in particular because of the shipping costs and because nobody can help you activating it. It was really easy and fast at the airport.

Activate SIM-Cars & Recharging balance

» 1. Directly at the airport  – Free or in the Shop

It’s the best way to get help directly at a shop. I didn’t really have to ask – the employees did all the work. I got a confirmation SMS with my number and was instantly able to use the 3G-Internet. And that without any problems. You can also use Whatsapp with your new number with your chat history. So you won’t have to change your SIM-Card to use Whatsapp.

As you can see it’s so easy and it doesn’t cost so much. My SIM-Card and my offer were valid for our whole stay and I paid 500 Bath for everything – which is about 12 Euro. My credit balance was enough so far, but I think I’ll have to reload it next week. If you still have questions about this topic, write it in the comments and I will try to answer everything.