Best esim for Thailand

So, you're going to Thailand. I'm not jealous, at all. You have your accommodation booked, you're going to be heading to a load of different islands and places, but just one thing needs sorting before you can fully relax, and that is your sim card.

You'll meet a LOT of people on your travels in Thailand, so reliable data is a must. There will be a lot of Instagram handles to add.

You can of course purchase a sim card when you land, but after an expensive airport sim buying experience in Antalya, I have gone head first down the eSIM route, even if it's just a small GB package, so I can make sure I have data and I am covered for when I land.

I adopted this approach in Egypt recently. I bought a 2GB eSIM before I flew, so I knew I had data when I landed, and this proved very helpful for meeting our driver. The Egyptian eSIM is a bit more expensive, and I knew (having been to Dahab before) I could get one on the ground for a cheaper amount, so I went with this option. This means you are covered when you land, avoiding any stress, and then you can then assess your options.

The Great Thing about eSIM's:

What I really like about esim's, is that you can get everything sorted before you fly. I have been using Airalo, and their instructions are super clear for adding an esim to your phone, so I'd absolutely recommend going down this route for your journey to Thailand.

As mentioned, I don't like the stress of not having data when I land, so this eSIM world, despite being pretty late to the party, makes my life much easier.

Will an eSIM work on my phone?

The good news is, the majority of phones released over the last few years, will have e sim capability, even if you're not aware of the fact.

I'm team android, so the image below would apply for those phones. But, I imagine the process is the same on Apple and iPhone's, so what I'd recommend doing is the following.

If you’re not sure if your phone can indeed run eSIMs, then go to settings, search eSIM, and see what pops up (the below image is what pops up in my search settings). If nothing does, then you might not be able to use it on your phone, but it’s always worth checking with your network provider as well.

Which eSIM provider should I use?

I was in Bangkok earlier this year (2025), and besides being insanely sweaty, I also found this very cool website which should be your go to place for your Thailand eSIM.

You'll probably guess by the name, but ESIMTHAILAND.com is a website that solely focuses on the subject of this fair post, the best eSIM to get in Thailand. Other eSIM providers are also great, and Thailand being such a popular place, prices are pretty reasonable. I go into more detail below, but for value for money, complete coverage, and the option to call other Thailand numbers, ESIMThailand.com gets my vote.

Let's take a look at the Unlimited Data and Calls option, shall we? With ESIMTHAILAND.com, you get 30 days of coverage, a Thailand phone number, unlimited calls in Thailand (and free 30-minute calls to 7 other other countries in Asia) for $34.99.

Why do I need calls I hear you ask, who uses them these days? Granted, a lot of us get twangs of terror every time we see someone calling us, but say you're with a group of friends, you could all get this deal, and then call each other as often as you like to make all of the plans. Wholesome, right?

This might be the cheapest unlimited data Thailand eSIM I have seen

That's a saving on the Airalo option I share below, and I also have a 5% discount I can share with you to bring the price down further. Simply click the link here, and then just add the discount code ANXIOUSTRAVELGUY5 and that 5% discount will populate for you!

If you're in Thailand for a shorter time, then this 10 day 50 GB package for just $9.99 (prices correct at the time of writing) should be your eSIM of choice. I'd be amazed if like 1% of people burned through that much data in that short a time, especially as your days and nights will probably be pretty busy if you're there on a shorter trip. Long story short, this amount of data should last you for your whole stay.

If you're in Thailand on a shorter trip, this eSIM should be perfect for you

Sweetener, the following chat apps are also free to use, (WhatsApp, FB Messenger, WeChat, Line and KakaoTalk) so your data should go even further.

The reviews of ESIMTHAILAND.com are great, and thousands of people have used the company, so you're in good hands. And if for any reason you do have an issue, they have 24 hours a day support. Reminder, I have a 5% discount for you to use on ESIMTHAILAND.com, just click the link, and then enter the discount code ANXIOUSTRAVELGUY5

ESIMTHAILAND.com also offer a region eSIM that covers a lot of Asia, so if you're visiting a lot of countries in a short time, this is a great option for you.

If you're planning a trip round Asia, then this region eSIM is a brilliant option

The lite, basic, and pro models basically cover how much high-speed coverage you'll receive daily. If you are heading to Thailand, then ESIMTHAILAND.com would be my first recommendation.

If you want to use another provider, I've been firmly on the Airalo train since I got down with the cool kids, and learned how to use an eSIM on my phone. I've written a substantial review here which will hopefully help you with your decision.

Whilst researching this article, Holafly seemed to be the other eSIM company that came up regarding the best e sim to use in Thailand. I haven't used them, but their rates also look good, so worth doing some detective work, and finding out what works for you.

How much does an Airalo eSIM cost for coverage in Thailand?

You'll be pleased to discover, that eSIM costs are ridiculously cheap in Asia. Here's two different options for you, both available via Airalo, and both offering tremendous value.

So, in box number one, we have a 10-day offering from dtac. Here you can get 50 GB, for $9.90 which for me, after seeing data costs around the world, feels insane. I'd personally prefer to have a longer validity date, but it's so easy to top up via Airalo, so it's not the end of the world.

And in box number two.....

We have this option, also from our dtac gang. This eSIM offers you UNLIMITED data for $19.95, and the good news is, the validity is a bit longer at 15 days. It's also a bonus that both options give you the ability to call, as not all eSIM's offer this service.

The unlimited data is an insane perk as well. A lot of Thailand is well covered by WiFi, but if you're travelling more off the beaten track, or to a remote island, you'll want to make sure you're covered.

If you're travelling around Asia, I've also got you covered. Here comes box number three!

Region based eSIMs:

Not only does Airalo offer country specific options, they also offer regional eSIMs, which cover continents, and even the WORLD (caps for dramatic effect). 

These definitely cost a bit more, but still appear to not be too bad, and if you’re visiting a number of places in Asia for example, and moving around countries quickly, this type of eSIM could be your best option.

Conclusion:

It's nice to see a more localised eSIM option for Thailand, so eSIM Thailand would get my vote. They have unlimited data and daily data options, as well as region eSIM's for Asia, so you'll be covered. They're cheaper than the other more well-known operators, and they offer a 30 day package, which some others don't.

Reminder, I have a 5% discount to use at eSIM Thailand, all you need to do is add the code ANXIOUSTRAVELGUY5 and you're good to go.

I haven't had any issues with Airalo, so absolutely, they're a great option as well. If/when I use Holafly though, and/or another eSIM provider, I will be sure to share my thoughts here.

Do you want $3 off your first eSIM purchase with Airalo?  

Of course you do! If you want to try it out, then why not use my Airalo discount code, and you’ll get $3 off your first eSIM purchase. A 5 GB eSIM with this code for a Thailand esim would only cost you $6.90, and you'll be covered as soon as you land, which at the very least, will definitely help you on your way to your next stop.

Sign up here (referral code should populate automatically), or use the code DAVID8186 at checkout, and you'll get that $3 off your first eSIM purchase! As always, any questions, then feel free to leave a comment, or drop me a message, and I’ll be happy to help!

Notice: I want to point out that I wasn’t paid by Airalo or eSIM Thailand to write this article. I have no link to Airalo, and these are my independent views. As a regular traveller, I’m always on the lookout for things that can help me, and this eSIM definitely does.