Best eSIM for Thailand 2026: local beats global
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Let's be honest: in Thailand, local tourist eSIMs are considerably cheaper than the big global providers. If you want maximum convenience, you pay a little extra with Airalo or Holafly – in return, everything runs through one app and one account. Our analysis of the providers' websites (as of October 2026) shows which provider suits which kind of traveller.
Contents
Comparison table
Thailand eSIMs compared side by side (as of October 2026, prices in USD, official True-dtac prices in THB)
| Provider | Best offer | Unlimited | Network | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dtac Happy Tourist / True Tourist SIM 10 days (local, True-dtac; e.g. via MobiMatter) | $9.99 at MobiMatter (officially 349 THB), 10 days | Yes – unlimited according to True; at MobiMatter as a promotion until 31 December 2026 (normally 50 GB) | True-dtac network, Thai number (incoming calls and texts only) | Best value for money |
| SimOptions (own brand, data only) | 5 GB / 7 days $4.90 (promotional price, normally $6.90) | 10 days $9.90 (promotional price, normally $12.90) | AIS + dtac according to SimOptions, no phone number | Cheapest data-only eSIM |
| Airalo | 5 GB / 30 days $8 | 10 days $31, 30 days $49 (throttled to 1 Mbps after 5 GB per day) | True + AIS | Most convenient app experience |
| Holafly | 7 days $27.50 (most expensive option for short trips) | 30 days $73.90 (= $2.46 per day – fine for long trips) | True + dtac | Long-stay unlimited |
- Offer:
- $9.99 at MobiMatter (officially 349 THB), 10 days
- Unlimited:
- Yes – unlimited according to True; at MobiMatter as a promotion until 31 December 2026 (normally 50 GB)
- Network:
- True-dtac network, Thai number (incoming calls and texts only)
- Best for:
- Best value for money
- Offer:
- 5 GB / 7 days $4.90 (promotional price, normally $6.90)
- Unlimited:
- 10 days $9.90 (promotional price, normally $12.90)
- Network:
- AIS + dtac according to SimOptions, no phone number
- Best for:
- Cheapest data-only eSIM
- Offer:
- 5 GB / 30 days $8
- Unlimited:
- 10 days $31, 30 days $49 (throttled to 1 Mbps after 5 GB per day)
- Network:
- True + AIS
- Best for:
- Most convenient app experience
- Offer:
- 7 days $27.50 (most expensive option for short trips)
- Unlimited:
- 30 days $73.90 (= $2.46 per day – fine for long trips)
- Network:
- True + dtac
- Best for:
- Long-stay unlimited
Local vs global – what's the difference?
The local tourist eSIMs come from True-dtac: the two network operators merged in 2023, and the plans are called “Thailand Tourist SIM” at True and still “Happy Tourist” at dtac. The 10-day version officially costs 349 THB and is available as an eSIM from the True Store and through resellers such as MobiMatter ($9.99). It is hard to beat on price, and you get a Thai number on top – although on the 10-day plan it only works for incoming calls and texts. Domestic calls are only included in the Infinite plans (8, 15 or 30 days for 499, 699 or 1,199 THB).
One thing to know when buying through MobiMatter: according to the provider, the validity period starts when the eSIM is installed – so don't install it until just before your trip. SimOptions no longer stocks the dtac eSIM and now sells only its own data-only eSIMs without a phone number; the unlimited version for 10 days costs $9.90 there (promotional price, normally $12.90; as of October 2026).
Airalo and Holafly, for their part, score with a consistent app experience: one account, one payment method, one point of contact. For frequent travellers who are already Airalo customers, that can justify the extra cost.
Tip: the code HERMESINVEST gets you 5% off Holafly (last checked on 16 July 2026). More in our discount code guide (→ Holafly discount code 2026: save 5% with HERMESINVEST).
Thailand's major networks
Since True and dtac merged in March 2023, Thailand has had two major network operators: AIS and True Corporation, which continues to run its True and dtac brands. Both offer good coverage in cities and tourist regions. On remote islands or in the mountains of the north, coverage can be patchy – no particular network has a clear advantage here; it depends on where you are.
Our recommendation by type of traveller
- Bargain hunters & backpackersThe 10-day tourist eSIM from True-dtac (dtac Happy Tourist) – $9.99 at MobiMatter or officially 349 THB, currently with unlimited data and a Thai number included. If you don't need a number, SimOptions offers unlimited data for 10 days for $9.90 (promotional price).
- Convenience & app experienceAiralo – considerably more expensive for unlimited data (10 days $31), but buying, setting up and topping up all happen in one app. Particularly handy if you already use Airalo anyway.
- Long-stay unlimited (several weeks)Holafly 30 days for $73.90 – that works out at $2.46 per day, clearly cheaper per day than the 7-day plan. Cheaper still are Airalo Unlimited 30 days ($49, throttled to 1 Mbps after 5 GB per day) and the local Infinite eSIM from True-dtac (30 days for 1,199 THB).
What to watch out for
- Unlimited does not mean unthrottled: Airalo throttles to 1 Mbps after 5 GB per day, and Holafly reserves the right to throttle temporarily under its fair use policy. SimOptions gives no threshold on its product page.
- Local SIM cards in Thailand have to be registered with your passport; since 16 May 2026, foreigners have been allowed a maximum of three SIMs per operator. For the Happy Tourist eSIM sold via MobiMatter, no further registration steps are needed according to the provider.
- AIS and True-dtac are the two major network operators – Airalo uses True and AIS, Holafly True and dtac.
FAQ
Buy a SIM at the airport or set up an eSIM in advance?
Both work. Setting up an eSIM in advance saves you queuing at the airport, and you are online the moment you land.
Does tethering work in Thailand?
With most travel eSIMs, yes. Holafly limits hotspot sharing to 1 GB per day; MobiMatter lists the hotspot as available for the Happy Tourist eSIM, and SimOptions says it allows tethering without restrictions. If you plan to do a lot of work on your laptop, check the plan details before you buy.
Do I need a Thai number?
Not necessarily – but it is handy, for example for codes sent by text message or call-backs from drivers and hotels. The tourist eSIM from True-dtac gives you one (on the 10-day plan for incoming calls and texts only, with domestic calls in the Infinite plans from 499 THB for 8 days). Airalo, Holafly and the SimOptions eSIMs are data-only plans without a number.
Is the dtac Happy Tourist eSIM still available after the merger with True?
Yes. True and dtac have belonged together since March 2023, but the dtac brand and the plan name “Happy Tourist” live on; at True, the same offer is called “Thailand Tourist SIM”. Official prices (as of October 2026): 10 days of data for 349 THB, Infinite plans with domestic calls for 499 THB (8 days), 699 THB (15 days) and 1,199 THB (30 days). SimOptions no longer sells this eSIM.
The cheapest data-only eSIM in our comparison: unlimited for 10 days for $9.90 (promotional price, as of October 2026) – without a Thai number.
See the dealPrices in USD, official True-dtac prices in THB, as of October 2026 – subject to change.
Ali Cetinkaya is a business IT specialist with more than 15 years of experience in IT and online marketing. For DealsScout he evaluates plans, tools and deals – honestly, transparently and without jargon.