Communication

No, mobile phone costs are generally not covered by internet-only costs in Thailand. Mobile phone services (calls and mobile internet data) and home internet (fibre broadband) are typically charged as separate services, although providers often offer bundled packages that combine both for a single monthly fee. Here is a breakdown of how costs are structured: Separate Services • Mobile Phone Services: This refers to using a SIM card (physical or eSIM) in your phone for calls, texts, and mobile data (3G/4G/5G). o Prepaid/Tourist SIMs: These usually come with a set amount of data and a certain number of minutes for calls, with separate pay-as-you-go rates if you exceed these limits. o Postpaid Plans: Monthly mobile plans also typically specify allowances for both data and call minutes, charging extra for usage beyond the included limits. • Home Internet (Broadband/Fibre): This is a fixed-line internet service for a home or office, billed separately from mobile phone plans. Bundled Packages Major Thai telecom providers like AIS, TrueMove H, and dtac offer integrated solutions. These can include: • A combined monthly bill for your home fibre internet and one or more mobile phone lines. • "All-in-one" plans that might include internet, TV, and mobile services in a single package. In summary, while you receive both services from the same provider, the cost structure treats them as distinct components that may be combined into a single bill under a specific package plan, rather than one covering the other by default Internet in Thailand is highly affordable and widely considered to have a high performance-to-cost ratio globally. Prices vary primarily by connection type (home fiber vs. mobile data) and speed requirements. Home Fiber Broadband For standard home setups, packages typically include a router and installation. • Budget (300–500 Mbps): Costs range from ฿400 to ฿590 per month. • Standard (500/500 Mbps): Usually costs around ฿599 per month from major providers like AIS and True. • High-Speed (1 Gbps): Typically ranges from ฿799 to ฿999 per month. • Premium (2 Gbps+): High-end packages for heavy users or families can reach ฿1,299 per month. Mobile Data & SIM Cards Mobile internet is very flexible, with options for tourists and long-term residents. • Short-term/Tourist SIMs: Prices for a 1-week to 1-month "tourist" package often range from ฿300 to ฿1,000 depending on data limits. • Monthly Postpaid/Prepaid: Standard monthly plans with 15–30 GB of data or speed-capped unlimited data generally cost ฿200 to ฿600. • Annual "Marathon" SIMs: For the best value, annual SIM cards purchased from platforms like Shopee or Lazada can provide unlimited data for roughly ฿1,500 to ฿2,200 per year (approx. ฿125–฿185/month). • eSIMs: For short trips, 1 GB for 7 days starts at about $2.99 (~฿100), while 30-day plans range from $5.99 to $7.99 (~฿200–฿275). Other Options • Pocket Wi-Fi: Daily rentals for portable devices range from ฿150 to ฿400 ($5–$12), while monthly rentals cost between ฿2,000 and ฿5,000. • Public Wi-Fi: Many malls and cafes offer free Wi-Fi, though major carriers like AIS and True provide "Super WiFi" hotspots bundled for free with their mobile or home plans. Key Providers • AIS Fibre: Known for premium service and extensive coverage. • TrueOnline: Frequently bundles internet with TV and mobile services. • 3BB / AIS-3BB Fibre3: Offers competitive pricing, particularly for high-speed fiber. • NT (National Telecom): Often provides the most budget-friendly fixed-line options. For a two-week visit to Thailand , the typical internet costs for a short-term visitor range from approximately ฿400 to ฿700 for a prepaid plan offering ample or unlimited data. Your primary options are physical tourist SIM cards purchased upon arrival or eSIMs bought online in advance. Typical Costs for a 2-Week Stay Option Price Range (THB) Details Tourist Physical SIM ฿400 – ฿700 Widely available at airports/malls. Usually 15 days of unlimited 4G/5G data. eSIM (Data Only) ฿350 – ฿700 ($10–$20 USD) Purchased online, set up before arrival. Prices vary by data amount (e.g., 50GB for 10 days is ~$12, unlimited for 15 days is ~$20). Local Prepaid SIM (City) ฿200 – ฿400 + top-up Cheaper base price, but requires purchasing data packages via the carrier's app in a local store, which may be less convenient. Pocket Wi-Fi ฿1,500 – ฿3,000+ ($40–$80+) Daily rental fees of around $3-$5. Best for groups or multiple devices. Public Wi-Fi/Roaming Free (Public) / High cost (Roaming) Public Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafes. Data roaming with your home provider is very expensive (can be $10+ per day) and strongly discouraged. Recommendations for a 2-Week Trip • Most Convenient: Purchase a tourist SIM card from an official booth (AIS, True, or dtac) at the airport after arrival. The 15-day unlimited data plan from major carriers typically costs around ฿699. Staff will usually install and activate it for you. • Best Value/Flexibility: If your phone supports it, an eSIM purchased online (via providers like Airalo or Nomad) can be a great, slightly cheaper option. You can activate it instantly upon landing and avoid airport queues. • Budget Option (Requires Effort): Buy a basic local SIM from a 7-Eleven in the city for a nominal fee (around ฿49-฿99), and then use the provider's app to buy a local data package. This method can save you money but requires more effort and navigating Thai language apps or needing store staff assistance.