Getting a Thai SIM card is one of the first things you should do when arriving in Phuket — before sorting accommodation, before finding a bank, arguably before eating (though maybe after). A local Thai number gives you access to Grab (the ride-hailing app), LINE (how Thais communicate), WhatsApp without international roaming charges, and the mobile banking apps you will need for KBank and Bangkok Bank.

The good news: getting a SIM card in Phuket is extremely easy. The full process takes about 15 minutes, costs ฿299–฿599 for a tourist card, and you walk out with mobile data that actually works.

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The Three Operators: AIS, True Move and DTAC

Thailand has three main mobile operators. DTAC and True Move merged in 2023 — they now operate as a single entity (NTPLC) but continue to sell under both brand names. Effectively this means there are two networks: AIS and True/DTAC.

OperatorCoverage in Phuket5GExpat recommendationWhere to buy
AIS Excellent island-wide, including hills and rural areas Yes (main urban areas) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best for long-term expats AIS shops, 7-Eleven, airport
True Move Very good in tourist/expat zones; weaker in rural/hillside Yes (expanding) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good choice for town and beach areas True Move shops, 7-Eleven, airport
DTAC / True (merged) Same as True Move infrastructure now Yes ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Same network as True Move Some 7-Eleven; phasing into True branding
NT (National Telecom) Limited — mainly fixed-line internet No Not relevant for mobile SIM N/A

For most long-term expats in Phuket, AIS is the default choice. Coverage is most reliable across the full island — including hillside areas in Chalong, Bang Tao's Laguna district, and the rural centre of the island. Call AIS on 1175 for customer service. True Move (1686) is a good alternative if you are primarily based in urban or beach areas.

SIM Card Types: Tourist vs Prepaid vs Post-paid

Tourist SIM (short-stay)

For arriving in Phuket and needing immediate coverage: buy a tourist SIM at Phuket Airport or any convenience store. Available from ฿299 (7 days, unlimited data at reduced speeds after 1 GB/day) to ฿599 (30 days, better speed allowances). Requires passport only. Active immediately.

Prepaid SIM (monthly top-up)

The standard choice for expats who plan to stay 1–12 months. You buy a SIM, register it with your passport, and top up monthly (at 7-Eleven, online, or via app). Monthly data packages cost ฿199–฿499 for 15–40 GB of high-speed data with unlimited reduced-speed data after the cap.

Post-paid (monthly contract)

Better data value (typically more high-speed GB per baht) but requires a Thai address and sometimes longer visa. Contracts run month-to-month with cancellation available. Billing is automatic — convenient for long-term residents. Monthly costs ฿299–฿599 for competitive packages.

2026 Data Plan Comparison

PlanOperatorPrice/monthHigh-speed dataAfter capCalls
Prepaid BasicAIS/True฿19915 GB (100 Mbps)1 Mbps unlimitedPer minute
Prepaid MidAIS/True฿29930 GB (300 Mbps)1 Mbps unlimitedPer minute
Prepaid HighAIS/True฿399–฿499Unlimited (50–100 Mbps cap)N/AIncluded mins
Post-paid (AIS Fibre+Mobile)AIS฿599–฿799Unlimited + home fibre bundleN/AIncluded
Tourist 7-dayAIS/True฿299 one-off1 GB/day at full speedReduced speedNo
Tourist 30-dayAIS/True฿599 one-off2 GB/day at full speedReduced speedNo
💡 Bundle mobile + home fibre AIS and True Move both offer bundles where home fibre internet and mobile SIM are combined — saving ฿100–฿200/month compared to buying separately. If you are setting up a long-term rental, ask about the bundle when you visit the AIS or True shop to get your SIM.

Where to Buy a SIM Card in Phuket

  • Phuket International Airport (HKT): All operators have counters in arrivals. Buy immediately on landing — recommended for anyone arriving without a Thai number. Open during all flight hours.
  • 7-Eleven and Lotus's: Tourist SIMs and top-up vouchers available at all 7-Eleven stores (there are ~200 on the island). You register in-store — bring your passport.
  • AIS shop, Central Festival Phuket Town: Full service including contract sign-up, eSIM activation, plan changes. English-speaking staff. Hours: 10:00–21:00.
  • True Move shop, Central Festival: Same as AIS but True network. Also available in Jungceylon (Patong) and Porto de Phuket (Chalong).
  • Makro (Bypass Road) and HomePro: Prepaid SIMs available, good for stocking up on top-up cards at the same time.

How to Register Your SIM

Thailand requires all SIM cards to be registered to a real identity — this is compulsory. The process:

  1. Present your passport to the shop staff or use the operator's self-registration app
  2. Your passport photo page will be scanned and matched to your phone number
  3. Insert SIM — it activates within minutes
  4. Download the operator's app (AIS Play, True Move H app) to manage your plan and top up easily

At the airport, staff handle the registration in person. At 7-Eleven, they scan your passport and complete it at the counter. The entire process takes 5–15 minutes.

⚠️ Important: SIMs registered to tourists expire with their stay Tourist SIM cards registered with a tourist visa are technically linked to your visa validity. In practice, prepaid SIMs are rarely deactivated for this reason — but if you are planning a long stay, registering a regular prepaid or post-paid SIM (not the airport tourist pack) gives you more stability. Your rental address works as the registration address.

eSIM Options for Phuket

Both AIS and True Move offer eSIM activation for compatible devices. You can activate at the shop counter or remotely via their apps. This is particularly useful for dual-SIM phones where you want to keep your home country number active alongside a Thai number. The process at AIS or True shops takes about 20 minutes and requires your passport.

How Much Data Do You Actually Need?

For typical expat usage (maps, messaging, social media, occasional video streaming) a 15–30 GB high-speed plan is usually plenty. Remote workers doing video calls, uploading files, and using cloud services should get the unlimited plan (฿399–฿499/month) for peace of mind. Home internet (AIS Fibre at 150–1,000 Mbps for ฿590–฿999/month) is a separate decision — see the full internet guide.

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Thai SIM Cards in Phuket — FAQ

What do I need to buy a Thai SIM card in Phuket?
Just your passport. For tourist SIMs at 7-Eleven or the airport, passport only. For post-paid contracts, a local address and visa copy may also be required. The process takes 5–15 minutes.
Which is the best SIM card in Phuket: AIS, DTAC or True Move?
AIS has the best overall coverage across all of Phuket island, including hilly and rural areas. True Move (now merged with DTAC) is excellent in tourist and urban zones but slightly weaker in hillside areas like Bang Tao's northern parts and Chalong hills. For long-term expats, AIS is the standard recommendation.
Can I get a prepaid SIM at Phuket Airport?
Yes. AIS, True Move and DTAC all have counters in the arrivals hall at Phuket International Airport (HKT). Tourist SIMs with immediate data activation are sold there. This is the fastest way to arrive with mobile connectivity.
How much does a Thai SIM card cost in Phuket?
Tourist SIMs (7–30 days): ฿299–฿599 one-off payment. Monthly prepaid plans: ฿199–฿499/month for 15 GB to unlimited data. Post-paid contracts: ฿299–฿599+/month with better data allowances.
Can I keep my Thai SIM number when my visa expires?
Yes, as long as you maintain activity (top-up or active plan) before the validity period expires. Most prepaid SIMs need activity every 30–90 days. For extended trips outside Thailand, top up before you leave or set up auto-renewal on a post-paid plan.
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