Thailand isn’t like European countries or America, for example. Connection isn’t guaranteed in some places, and most standard SIM packages people have won’t give them a roaming allowance in Asia.
That said, 95% of Thailand has phone signal, with 3G to 5G coverage reaching most of the country.
It’s a given in major cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, but it can be hit or miss in some areas. And if you’ve ever tried to use 3G now we’re in a 5G era, it’s more than frustrating.
If you’re traveling to Thailand soon, read on for how you can stay affordably connected.
Get The Best eSIM Deal
You need an eSIM, there’s no question about it.
You need an eSIM with good coverage across Thailand. It depends on the network. Not all eSIMs are necessarily going to keep you affordably connected. A strong option is the Holafly eSIM in Thailand. You can get unlimited data packages with 4G, LTE, and 5G speeds – no 3G.
Getting an eSIM will 100% be cheaper than using your roaming. Roaming charges can amount to hundreds, especially if you’re using Google Maps and searching for the best places to eat every day.
Always get a package that covers the exact days of your trip.
Use WiFi Where You Can
If you have an unlimited data plan, you don’t necessarily need to worry about this. But if you went for a cheaper eSIM option and a limited data package, use WiFi where you can. In most of the common tourist areas, cafes, bars, and restaurants will have WiFi. So will most hostels, hotels, and AirBnbs.
We will say, however, that this isn’t the safest option. You shouldn’t risk being without signal, especially if you’re going on excursions or traveling alone. Thailand is relatively safe, especially if you stay in tourist areas, but it’s not the safest.
Change The Settings on Your Standard SIM
Unless you don’t care about the bill that will come with it, change the settings on your standard SIM. Most phones don’t have roaming automatically activated now, so it’s not so much of an issue, but something you should still check. If you go to your phone settings and search for roaming, it will bring up the section where you can check if it is enabled or not.
And if you are getting a travel eSIM, when you set it up, ensure you put it as the first network option. If you put it as the second, your phone will automatically connect to your standard SIM for signal.
Accept That You Won’t Have a Connection in Some Places
Depending on where you’re staying and the excursions you’re doing, accept that you won’t have a signal.
That’s why we would always recommend doing planned group excursions and never taking yourself on a route alone. Some of the more remote jungle areas definitely won’t have signal.
If you are solo traveling, stay near people and always let someone know your plans for the day.
It’s so easy to stay affordably connected in Thailand. Gone are the days of using your roaming or only having access to 5GB of data or less. eSIMs are a small investment for the amount of connectivity and reliability that you get.