Where to buy a SIM card in Phuket?

You can buy a SIM card in Phuket in several places: at the airport at AIS, Dtac, True Move operator stands (tourist tariffs 350-1200 baht), at 7-Eleven stores (cheaper — from 49 baht for empty SIM or 199 baht with internet for 30 days), at Central Festival and Jungceylon shopping centers in mobile communication departments. The most convenient 2026 option is eSIM, which you can buy online in advance and activate upon arrival via QR code (Airalo, Drimsim, eSIM365 services). If you need a SIM card for a short period and want to connect immediately at the airport, buy a tourist SIM right there at operator stands — you’ll be able to call a taxi right away. You need a passport to buy any SIM card. Read about taxi nuances in the Taxi section.

Tourist plans aren’t the most cost-effective, but mobile service in Thailand is generally inexpensive. You can also buy a SIM card at any 7/11 store. However, if you’re planning a long-term stay, it’s more economical to get one at a mobile service center. These can be found, for example, in the Central Festival shopping mall. You can find more malls in the Shopping Malls section.

There are three mobile operators in Phuket: AIS, Dtac, and TrueMove H.

Tourist SIM card prices in 2025 (subject to change depending on usage duration and plan):

• AIS – 8 days / 15 GB ~ 299 THB
• DTAC – 5 to 90 days ~ from 49 THB to 1599 THB
• TrueMove – 8 to 30 days, from 15 GB ~ 299–1199 THB

Purchasing a SIM card requires presenting a foreign passport for registration.

An easier option is to get an esim, which you can set up in advance.