Sim Cards and Data Plans in Thailand.
Sim Cards and Data Plans in Thailand
Mobile phone plans in Thailand are very affordable compared to Western nations. You can immediately get 7-30 days of internet data and talk time for around 15 USD as soon as you land at the airport.
As you clear customs, you will see many booths offering prepaid sim cards and other services. These mobile phone prepaid sims are sometimes free; however, they require you to purchase a plan for 1-15 days.
Buying extra talk/data credit is very easy in Thailand; it can be done at any 10,300 + 7/11 shops across Thailand. Alternatively, you can purchase credit in one of the many network provider shops, which are found in every town & city.
Buying a tourist sim is helpful for when you first arrive & you need to immediately have mobile phone coverage to phone your support/contact person in Thailand.
All the mobile phone providers offer similar plans; however, I find TrueMove, the best provider. I recommend TrueMove because their call centre is very efficient, and all the English-speaking staff I have ever communicated with have been fantastic.
Also, the overall cost is very affordable, and the network coverage is consistent throughout the country. I have used True Move for about eight years and have never been disappointed with the service.
When purchasing and activating a sim card in Thailand, you must register it to your passport. There is no difference between foreigners and Thai citizens. Thai people have to register a Sim card to their national identity card.
Switching from a tourist sim to a permanent prepaid one is straightforward and inexpensive. If you want a monthly postpaid plan in Thailand, you will have to wait until you have your Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit. Be advised that acquiring your work permit can take 30-60 days; read this helpful guide to the visa and employment document process for more information.
Once you have your work permit and switch to a monthly data plan, the talk time and data packages will improve and become even more affordable. Read through the True Move website for international Sim cards, prepaid Sim cards, and great packages for postpaid Sim cards. The site is in English, and reading it will give you a clearer picture of the costs and the process involved so that you are fully prepared when you first land in Thailand at the airport.
Relevant
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/thai-work-permit to read about the Thai Work Permit.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/seasons-in-thailand-explained to read about the seasons in Thailand.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/emergency-numbers-in-thailand to read about what to do and who to contact in an emergency situation in Thailand.
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