Cellphones: Calling-Using-Buying-Importing-Activating-Renting

[BeachDrone]

I travel to Thailand every year and stay up to 60 days. I used to get an AIS sim with a Thai number. For the last 5 or 6 years, the international plan from my USA Provider includes unlimited data, unlimited SMS, and reasonable cost phone calls (which I do not make), so I have not gotten a SIM or ESIM and just use my USA Number. I typically communicate with ladies using Line or WhatsApp (mostly Line). My question is what is the real value of having a Thai phone number either by an actual SIM is an ESIM?

[Time To Flip]

I also had no problem with the e-sim. I used airalo and it included data, voice and text.

Yes, I also used Airalo to purchase an eSim and it worked flawlessly. Use the code DAVID8503 to save $3. 00.

[QuackUp]

I also had no problem with the e-sim. I used airalo and it included data, voice and text.

[CaliGuy33]

My flawless transition from physical SIM to E-SIM was with AIS using an iPhone 13. I expect you would have similar experience with the iPhone 14.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm assuming most phones will be E-sim soon enough so I may as well make the change.

[Davey1965]

With last experience I did not activate international T Mobile this time and saved 50 bucks. However when I arrived in Thailand I got an automated message from T mo stating they now have and agreement with AIS in Thailand and no need for International. They charge. 25 for text messages and not sure what for calls. Have not used it except to monitor some text messages coming in from customers, that I reply via email.

My Thai friend in Udon recommended I go with True this time and it has been flawless all over the Isaan region. I have not had much of any slow downs or dead zones. So can def recommend in the Isaan region.

[HorseTrader]

Has anyone had any issues using an E-sim on arrival in Thailand? Difficulties getting setup on an E-sim with the various Thai cell phone carriers?

I'm debating getting the new iPhone 14 prior to my Thailand trip due to it being an E-sim phone. So just curious what experiences others have had with it.

I saw the recent comment that said their experience with E-sim was flawless which is good to know.

My flawless transition from physical SIM to E-SIM was with AIS using an iPhone 13. I expect you would have similar experience with the iPhone 14.

[CaliGuy33]

Has anyone had any issues using an E-sim on arrival in Thailand? Difficulties getting setup on an E-sim with the various Thai cell phone carriers?

I'm debating getting the new iPhone 14 prior to my Thailand trip due to it being an E-sim phone. So just curious what experiences others have had with it.

I saw the recent comment that said their experience with E-sim was flawless which is good to know.

[FernandoAlonso]

So here is what I did: ignore the airport shops, go to the next mall, most have a service Center of dtac, Ais and True. They will try sell you the same like airport. Say no. They will give yo whatever is on discount ATM. Got 30 days, 100 gB for 399 including free installation service. Tourist SIM is 1000.

[HorseTrader]

I have a high end Samsung from T-Mobile with e-sim capability. I am thinking about changing my T-Mo physical sim to a T-Mo e-sim and putting my Thai AIS sim in the physical sim slot to have both Thai and USA phone numbers available. I have read that topping up a Thai e-sim and Thai e-sim plans are possibly more expensive which is why I want to continue to use a Thai physical sim. Does this make any sense?

P.S. HorseTrader do you have both a US e-sim and Thai e-sim installed at the same time?

I have both USA and Thailand E-Sims installed at the same time. Remember the E-SIM is just data on your phone, nothing physical to install. I keep the USA E-SIM disabled about 99% of my time in Thailand, I don't want to pay $15 to receive a USA spam call.

About 6 months ago the BKK airport did not have access to E-SIMs on that particular day, so I bought a physical SIM. A few days later I was at the Samui airport and they switched me to E-SIM without charge. This makes me think the physical and E-SIMs are the same price from AIS. I don’t know if topping up prices are different. I do know that it is easy to top up using the AIS app.

[Allover]

I have a high end Samsung from T-Mobile with e-sim capability. I am thinking about changing my T-Mo physical sim to a T-Mo e-sim and putting my Thai AIS sim in the physical sim slot to have both Thai and USA phone numbers available. I have read that topping up a Thai e-sim and Thai e-sim plans are possibly more expensive which is why I want to continue to use a Thai physical sim. Does this make any sense?

P.S. HorseTrader do you have both a US e-sim and Thai e-sim installed at the same time?

[HorseTrader]

I did T-mobile international last trip and it was a waste as well. Only worried in Bangkok but nowhere else. Got frustrated in Roi et and did same, just got a local SIM card. Worked great for less than then $50 I paid T-Mobile.

My USA buddy who travels with me also has T-Mobile and its performance in Thailand is spotty at best. I have AT&T and its performance in Thailand is flawless, but very expensive, about $15 per day including taxes and fees.

I always get a Thai SIM because it is much cheaper than using my USA SIM. DTAC and AIS have both worked well for me.

If your phone supports E-SIMs, I recommend that you get a Thai E-SIM because switching E-SIMs is so much easier than switching physical SIMs.

[Davey1965]

I have an international data plan with T-Mobile which is supposed to work in Thailand by connecting to AIS towers. It worked for a day when I arrived and then stopped working. Called T-Mobile several times and each fix that they tried would work for a few hours and then stop working. Their final solution was for me to do a factory re-set of my phone, which I did not want to do. Since I am going to be here for several months, I need internet access, so went to Terminal 21 to check out local phone plans. True Move had a plan for about 435 baht a month with a lot of gigabytes and 100 minutes of calls a month. Went to AIS and they had a renewable 90 day plan for 535 baht in total with 100 gb of data and 60 call minutes every month. I obviously chose the AIS plan. For those who will be staying longer than a month and need internet access, you may want to get this plan. They also have a 180 day plan for about 850 baht with similar benefits.

I did T-mobile international last trip and it was a waste as well. Only worried in Bangkok but nowhere else. Got frustrated in Roi et and did same, just got a local SIM card. Worked great for less than then $50 I paid T-Mobile.

[GrapeMan]

Can you prolong the lifetime of the tourist sims at the airport by topping them up? I think I remember you can. Or better just get a normal prepaid and let it run out? I always have the troubles of staying one or 2 days longer than the original validity which is kind of annoying. Therefore the question.

You can top up wherever, on the app, a store, 7-11. As long as you have the sim you can refill it up to a point. I think like 6 months after not being used or credit ends the sim goes dead, but before that you should be able to top up.

[Allover]

Can you prolong the lifetime of the tourist sims at the airport by topping them up? I think I remember you can. Or better just get a normal prepaid and let it run out? I always have the troubles of staying one or 2 days longer than the original validity which is kind of annoying. Therefore the question.

You can always top up a Sim card even for a short period like 1 or 3 days. I use AIS and I can top up using the AIS app or go to one of their stores located in most shopping malls in Bangkok or Pattaya. I can top up from the USA using the AIS app or going to mobiltopup.com. Mobiltopup.com allows you to top up most sims cards, not just AIS. www.ding.com/topup is another free service to top up a Thai Sim in the USA. I visit Thailand annually and like to keep the same Sim and Thai phone number. With AIS I can top up to extend the Sim for a month with as little as a B10 topup. You can also do 12 consecutive topups (even on the same day) to keep your Sim valid for a full year. It beats showing your passport to get a new Sim every trip.

[FernandoAlonso]

Can you prolong the lifetime of the tourist sims at the airport by topping them up? I think I remember you can. Or better just get a normal prepaid and let it run out? I always have the troubles of staying one or 2 days longer than the original validity which is kind of annoying. Therefore the question.