Mobile Internet in Thailand: How to Choose the Best Option for Tourists?

When visiting Thailand, visitors have several choices to stay online, each with their benefits and drawbacks. In this guide, let’s discover the mobile internet in Thailand and bring comprehensive tips on finding the best connectivity option for your Thailand trip!

I. Mobile Internet Coverage and Speed in Thailand

Thailand’s mobile coverage has undergone significant expansion, connecting diverse landscapes, and areas across the country. Here are the mobile internet coverage, speeds in Thailand from main major mobile operators:

1. Thailand Mobile Internet Coverage

dtac, AIS, and True Move H are three major mobile operators in Thailand that offer 99% network coverage in Thailand.

Data from Nperf

Mobile Internet in Thailand: Coverage Experience

Of all 3 major mobile networks in Thailand, AIS is the mobile operator that has the largest network coverage in Thailand with a score of 8.3/10 providing extensive 5G coverage over 99% of the country.

Network availability in Thailand:

AIS and dtac both attained about 99.4% availability and TrueMove H at about 99.3%. This indicates near-ubiquitous 3G/4G/5G connectivity across populated areas.

5G networks are focused in major Thai cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, In cities, 4G coverage approaches 100% indoor and outdoor. But rural/mountainous regions still experience occasional 3G-only zones.

Thailand’s big cities and main tourism spots of the metropolitan areas are predominantly covered by all 3 major mobile operators: dtac, AIS, and Truve Move H, as a result, the majority of the population and tourists can stay connected with a stable network.

2. Thailand Mobile Internet Speed

According to data from the Speedtest Global Index, mobile internet speeds and availability have improved its global ranking. Here are some key points about Thailand’s Mobile Internet Speed.

In April 2024, Thailand ranked 64th globally for mobile internet speeds, with average download speeds of 87.83 Mbps and average upload speeds of 19.4 Mbps.

Domestically, Bangkok recorded the highest speeds in Thailand at 121 Mbps download and 27.6 Mbps upload on average. This exceeded the national averages.

Other major cities like Chonburi (Pattaya), Nonthaburi, and Chiang Mai also saw speeds above the national average due to high population density and infrastructure development.

In summary, Thailand maintains good mobile internet speeds both nationally and in urban centers. To enjoy the fastest mobile data speeds look for a 5G compatible device and SIM card or eSIM on a network like dtac or AIS with broad coverage. 

II. Mobile Internet in Thailand: Connection Options for Tourists

Here is a table comparing connectivity options for travelers to Thailand:

Connectivity Option	Pros	Cons	Price Range (USD)
Free WiFi	Free available in many hotels/public areas	Often slow speeds; limited access points; security/privacy concerns	Free
Pocket WiFi	Portable access anywhere; share among multiple devices	Setup fee; daily rental fee applies	$5-10/day
eSIM	Convenient activation without physical SIM; share data across devices	Limited provider options; additional monthly plan required	Depends on the provider/plan
Local SIM Card	Cheap daily rates; larger data allowances	Require SIM card purchase; cannot share among devices	$3-10 for SIM, plans from $5/day
Roaming	Use existing cellular plan; same number/accounts	Very expensive rates; data capped or slow speeds	Vary depending on your mobile carriers

Overall, getting a local SIM Card is the best option for travelers to stay connected in Thailand due to the reasons below:

• Cost-effectiveness: Compared to other choices, buying a local SIM card is a wise choice to save money when traveling to Thailand.
• Flexibility: There are several customized SIM cards with various data volumes and validity to suit any visitor’s traveling goals.
• Avoid over roaming charges: Using a SIM card from the local provider instead of roaming with the home provider which can cause extremely high expenses.

Besides getting physical SIM cards from major mobile operators in Thailand, visitors can consider using eSIM for convenience and to minimize additional costs for mobile internet in Thailand.

III. Budgeting for Mobile Data Costs in Thailand

Consider your data usage habits to choose suitable plans with a reasonable budget for your trip. Here are some tips for estimating your needs and costs:

• For short trips: With less than a 1-week trip, 10GB-15GB is enough for basic daily usage such as mapping, translating, or using light social media/messaging. The prices will often be around $8.9-$18 based on the providers.
• For long trips of over 2 weeks: Budget 30GB-50GB to comfortably use your phone without worrying about your data limitation. The prices of these plans are often around $20-$30 based on the providers.
• For long trips with heavy-data usage: Streaming music/videos will eat up data quickly. You can consider the Unlimited Thailand SIM cards or eSIMs. These plans are often around $20-$40 based on the validity and the provider you choose.

Refer to some Thailand eSIM unlimited data plans from thailandesim.com:

Overall, the costs for mobile internet in Thailand will be based on your data usage and your travel time. The average budget is about ~$20 for mobile data for each traveler. Make sure to estimate your data usage habits to choose the best plan for your trip.

Check out multiple countries eSIM plans:

IV. Mobile Internet from Mobile Operators in Thailand

Here’s a breakdown of popular Thailand mobile providers’ data plans:

Mobile Operators SIM

For choosing a mobile operator in Thailand, visitors must consider network coverage, speeds, data options, and prices to ensure this plan fits their needs and preferences. 

• All 3 major mobile operators in Thai including dtac, AIS, and True Move H have competitive prices.
• AIS and True Move H is generally considered the largest coverage in Thailand (both 4G and 5G).
• dtac offers diverse plans with various data, validity and prices for any traveling goals.

Read more: Top Mobile Operators in Thailand

V. FAQs

VI. Conclusions

To sum up, the way to go through the mobile internet world in Thailand is through knowing the network coverage, and speeds and exploring the best mobile operators in this country. By considering these factors such as the trip duration and data usage patterns, visitors can opt for the best among the local SIM cards with various data plans.

With the right mobile connection, you can fully immerse yourself in enjoying the beauty of Thailand