Hello travel buddy, and welcome back to Consigliviaggiasia, the blog full of practical tips to help you plan your DIY trips!
Today, coming to you straight from the beautiful island of Krabi, where we are for our ASIA 2025 tour, I want to talk about something essential: how to choose your data SIM card in Thailand!

Nowadays, traveling without a stable, fast, and reliable internet connection is simply unthinkable. And every year, especially in Asia, there are always lots of new things to discover.
If you’re looking for fresh information about tourist data SIM cards or the new eSIMs, you’re in the right place.

Take a few minutes, sit back, and find out everything you need to know!

Where to Buy a Physical Data SIM Card in Thailand

As I always recommend, the easiest place to buy a SIM card in Thailand is right at the airport.
Once you pass passport control, you’ll find plenty of stands selling ready-to-use SIM cards.

If you prefer to wait, once you get to your hotel you can easily buy one at a 7-Eleven or from a travel agency. In Krabi, for example, they’re everywhere!

The most popular providers are:

• Dtac
  
• True
  

Both offer tourist packages from 7 to 30 days.
And if you look around, you might even find smaller providers with better deals.

2025 Updates: 5G Network and New Data Packages

Compared to previous years, there are two big changes:

• 5G network is now standard
  
• Unlimited data packages have disappeared

Here’s a quick look at what’s available:

• 10 GB for 7 days (around 450 THB)
  
• 100 GB for 30 days (around 700 THB)

There are also plenty of options in between — perfect if you’re staying around 15 days.
Prices are still incredibly affordable compared to Europe!

Important: If you pay by card, some vendors might charge a 3–5% fee.

Our Choice: AIS Lucky SIM

For this trip, we chose the AIS Lucky SIM, and it was fantastic:

• Guaranteed 5G speed
  
• 30-day validity
  
• 100 GB of data
  
• Unlimited Hotspot usage

Total cost: 726 THB (including WISE card fees).

How to Activate a Physical SIM Card in Thailand

Heads up: activation is a bit annoying!

You’ll need:

• A photo of your passport
  
• A photo of your face
  
• A free SIM slot on your smartphone

Estimated time: about 15–20 minutes, depending on the queue.

If the SIM doesn’t immediately connect to 5G, just restart your phone.
If there’s a serious issue… assistance is usually nonexistent. Push for a replacement on the spot if needed.

How Many SIM Cards Can You Buy?

With one passport, you can only buy one SIM card.
If you’re planning a longer stay, check for special long-term tourist offers.

Easier Alternative: Holafly eSIM

If you want to skip all the hassle, consider getting an eSIM.

An eSIM is a virtual SIM card that you install directly on a compatible smartphone.
No lines, no documents, no messing around with physical cards.

Major benefits:

• Connection active the moment you land
  
• No swapping physical SIMs
  
• No ID photos or passport copies needed
  
• 24/7 customer support

How Much Does a Thailand eSIM Cost?

We used Holafly.
The cost of an unlimited data Holafly eSIM for 30 days is about €68.90.

Yes, it’s pricier than a physical SIM.
But the convenience is totally worth it! Always online, stress-free.

Bonus: use the promo code ASIA to get a 5% discount!

How to Activate a Holafly eSIM Step-by-Step

Here’s how easy it is:

1. Go to Holafly’s website
   
2. Search for “Thailand”
   
3. Select your desired plan
   
4. Click “Get Unlimited Internet”
   
5. Fill in your details
   
6. Complete the payment
   
7. Instantly receive a QR code by email (and WhatsApp)
   
8. Scan the code and you’re ready to go!

The instructions are super clear, and if you have any trouble, their support team is always ready to help.

Important: with Holafly, you can use WhatsApp and all your social media just like at home. No restrictions!

Conclusion: Physical SIM vs eSIM?

To wrap it up:

• Physical SIM = cheaper, good if you don’t use much data
  
• Holafly eSIM = more expensive, but super convenient and stress-free

If you prefer traveling without worrying about finding vendors or showing documents, Holafly eSIM is the way to go.

Don’t forget: use the promo code ASIA to get your 5% discount!

Now it’s up to you:
Will you be a traditional traveler who connects a few hours after landing, or a modern adventurer who’s always online from the start?

Stay tuned!
Every week, I’ll bring you new tips for stress-free DIY travel!

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