Getting connected is one of the first practical tasks when arriving in Phuket — and it's easier than you might expect. Thailand has invested heavily in its mobile and fiber infrastructure over the past few years. Phuket in particular, as a major tourist and expat destination, has excellent connectivity in most areas. Here's everything you need to know about SIM cards, home broadband, and staying connected.
Last updated: March 2026
Mobile SIM Cards: AIS vs True vs DTAC
Thailand has three main mobile carriers: AIS, True Move H, and DTAC (which merged with True in 2023 but continues to operate as a separate brand). For Phuket specifically, the carrier choice matters — coverage varies meaningfully by area.
AIS
Best overall coverage in Phuket. Strongest signal in outer areas (Kamala, Rawai, north Phuket). 5G in Bang Tao, Patong, and Phuket Town. Most reliable in our testing.
✓ Strongest in rural/outer areas
✓ Good English customer service
✓ CAMP WiFi locations nationwide
✗ Peak hour slowdowns on popular plans
True Move H
Very competitive with AIS in urban areas — Bang Tao, Patong, Phuket Town, Kata. Slightly weaker in outer areas. Good value monthly plans.
✓ Competitive pricing
✓ 5G in major areas
✓ DTAC merged network adds reach
✗ Customer service less consistent in English
DTAC / NT
Adequate for tourist stays and basic use. Coverage is thinner than AIS and True outside tourist hubs. Now shares infrastructure with True post-merger, which helps.
✓ Good coverage in Patong
✗ Limited standalone stores
✗ Not recommended for remote work reliance
SIM Card Plans for Expats: March 2026
| Plan Type | Carrier | Data | Calls | Cost/Month | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist SIM (30 days) | AIS | 30GB (max speed) then slow | 100 mins | ฿299 | Visitors, short stays |
| Tourist SIM (30 days) | True | 30GB + unlimited slow | Unlimited local | ฿299 | Visitors, short stays |
| Monthly Unlimited | AIS | Unlimited (30GB full speed, then 1Mbps) | Unlimited local | ฿599–699 | Expats, remote workers |
| Monthly Unlimited | True | Unlimited (25GB full speed) | Unlimited local | ฿499–599 | Expats, budget-focused |
| Heavy Data Plan | AIS | 100GB full speed monthly | Unlimited local | ฿799–999 | Remote workers, hotspot users |
| eSIM (30 days) | AIS / True | 15–30GB | Varies | ฿299–499 | Those with eSIM-capable phones |
The easiest place to get an AIS SIM with full English support is the AIS shop in Central Festival Phuket (Bang Tao area). Bring your passport — registration is mandatory for all Thai SIMs. Staff at Central Festival speak good English and can set up international call packages if needed. Avoid buying SIMs from airport kiosks (premium pricing) or from touts. The AIS shops at Central Festival, Jungceylon (Patong), and Makro (Thalang) are all good options.
Home Broadband: Fiber Internet in Phuket
Fiber broadband has reached most residential areas of Phuket. AIS Fiber and True Fiber are the two main providers — both are reliable, and choice often comes down to which has infrastructure at your specific address. Setup requires a 12-month contract (typically) and physical installation by a technician.
| Speed Tier | AIS Fiber | True Fiber | 3BB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps | ฿399/month | ฿399/month | ฿399/month | Sufficient for 1–2 users, HD video, basic remote work |
| 300 Mbps | ฿499/month | ฿499/month | ฿499/month | Good for families, multiple devices |
| 500 Mbps | ฿599/month | ฿549/month | ฿599/month | Recommended for remote workers with video calls |
| 1 Gbps | ฿799/month | ฿749/month | ฿899/month | Best for heavy users, multiple remote workers in household |
Monthly prices above are with 12-month contract and free installation. Without a contract: add ฿200–400/month. Setup takes 3–7 business days after application. Your landlord will often have a preferred provider or an existing line in the property — check before committing to a new installation.
Internet Speed by Area in Phuket
Bang Tao / Cherng Talay: Best speeds on the island. AIS and True fiber both reach 300–1,000 Mbps in most condos and villas. New developments since 2022 almost all have fiber pre-installed. Rawai / Nai Harn: Very good in modern properties — 100–500 Mbps standard. Older houses on quiet roads may only have ADSL (10–20 Mbps) available; fiber can be installed in 2–3 weeks with landlord cooperation. Phuket Town: Excellent in new builds, variable in old Sino-Portuguese shophouses (some have fibre, some rely on ADSL). Kata / Karon: Good in most tourist-adjacent properties. Kamala: Improving but patchier — verify at property before committing. Chalong: Solid in residential areas, variable in older compounds.
Making & Receiving International Calls
The most cost-effective way to make international calls from Phuket is over the internet using WhatsApp, Line, FaceTime, or Zoom — all work well on Thai broadband and mobile data. For traditional calls internationally, you need an international calling add-on on your SIM:
AIS international packages: From ฿99/month for 60 minutes to selected countries (UK, US, Australia included). Check the AIS app for current packages — they change regularly. VoIP alternatives: Google Voice (US), Skype credits, and Rebtel are all used by Phuket expats for keeping a home-country number active. Keeping your home number: Most UK, Australian, and European mobile numbers can be kept active on roaming for a small monthly fee — useful for banking SMS verification which is notoriously tied to your home number.
VPN Use in Phuket
VPNs are used widely by expats in Phuket for streaming home-country content (Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer, Australian streaming services) and for accessing content geo-restricted in Thailand. Using a VPN for legal purposes is not prohibited in Thailand, though using one to access illegal content is. Recommended services used by Phuket expats include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Mullvad. VPN performance on Thai broadband is generally good — latency to European servers is typically 150–220ms, adequate for streaming but not gaming.
WiFi in Cafes, Co-working Spaces & Public Areas
WiFi quality in Phuket cafes varies enormously. Reliable spots for working: CAMP Coffee (AIS-operated, consistently fast), Starbucks (Central Festival, Jungceylon — solid but crowded), Hub53 and Yellow co-working spaces (dedicated fiber, best option), and higher-end hotel lobbies (Laguna, Sri Panwa, Trisara). Avoid relying on restaurant WiFi for important calls — speed and reliability is unpredictable.
4G as a backup during important calls is always worth having. AIS's hotspot feature (connecting your laptop to your phone's data) works reliably across the island and is a good fallback when cafe WiFi underperforms.
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