13 plans from 1GB to 50GB. Buy now, scan the QR, and your data works the moment you land.
It runs on Thailand's national mobile networks, so the same plan works right across the country, including Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. There is nothing extra to buy for a city or island.
Slashtel Thailand eSIMs start at $2.09 for 1GB over 7 days, across 13 plans. The lowest price per GB is $0.35 on the 50GB plan. A one-week trip costs from $2.09 (1GB). It connects to TrueMove H, DTAC, CAT and AIS on up to 5G. That is about 16% less than the typical 10GB, 30-day price from the major eSIM brands (around $11.00, checked September 2026). Prices checked 9 October 2026.
Last checked: August 2026
If you're flying from the UK or India to Thailand, you need data from the moment you land. Whether you're backpacking through Chiang Mai or on a beach holiday in Phuket, a Thailand eSIM means you're online before you leave the airport.
This guide covers how much data you need, what it costs, and how to set it up before you fly.
From the UK: Thailand is a long-haul favourite for two-week holidays and month-long backpacking trips. You'll fly into Bangkok, spend a few days in the city, then head south to the islands or north to Chiang Mai. You want data for maps, booking buses, and staying in touch with people at home.
From India: Thailand is a short-haul getaway with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Many travellers visit for 5-7 days for a mix of shopping, nightlife, and beach time. You'll want to keep your Indian SIM active for bank OTPs while using local data for everything else.
Your data needs depend on how long you're away and how you use your phone. Here's a rough guide:
| Trip length | Light use (maps, WhatsApp, email) | Moderate use (social media, music) | Heavy use (streaming, video calls) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-7 days | 1-3GB | 3-5GB | 5-10GB |
| 2 weeks | 3-5GB | 5-10GB | 10-20GB |
| 1 month | 5-10GB | 10-20GB | 20GB+ |
Most travellers underestimate how much Wi-Fi they'll find. Hotels, hostels, and cafes across Thailand offer free Wi-Fi, so you'll only burn mobile data when you're out and about.
Maps is the biggest data consumer on a trip like this. Download offline maps for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the islands before you leave, that saves a chunk of your allowance.
Arrival airport: Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok has free Wi-Fi, but it can be slow during peak arrivals. Having an eSIM already installed means you don't need to rely on it. You'll have data for booking a taxi or Grab the moment you clear immigration.
Keeping your home SIM: If you're an Indian traveller, keep your Indian SIM active in the second slot. You'll need it for bank OTPs and verification codes. The eSIM handles your data, and your Indian SIM roams on a major Thai network for calls and texts. UK travellers can do the same if they want to keep their UK number reachable.
Install your Thailand eSIM before you leave. You'll get a QR code by email within a minute of purchase. Scan it on Wi-Fi at home, and the eSIM activates automatically when you land in Thailand. Data starts on first connection, no need to fiddle with settings at the airport.
Need help? See our installation guide for step-by-step instructions for iPhone and Android.
Slashtel offers Thailand eSIMs with coverage on a major Thai network. Prices start from $2.09. Plans are prepaid, with no contracts and no hidden fees. If you don't use the eSIM, you'll get a refund on request.
Last checked: August 2026. Prices and plan details are current as of this date.
For a typical 2-week holiday, a 5GB plan is usually enough if you use maps, messaging, and occasional social media. If you plan to stream video or make daily WhatsApp video calls, choose 10GB or more. Most travellers in Thailand connect to Wi-Fi at hotels and cafes, so your mobile data goes further than you think.
Yes. Install the eSIM before you fly, and it activates automatically when you land. You'll have data within a minute of switching off airplane mode. No need to visit a local shop or queue at a kiosk in Suvarnabhumi or Phuket airports.
Yes. The eSIM handles your data while your Indian SIM stays active for SMS and calls. This is useful if you need to receive bank OTPs or verify logins while abroad. Your Indian SIM will roam on a major Thai network for calls and texts, though charges apply from your Indian operator.
In many cases, yes. Airport SIM kiosks in Thailand often sell tourist SIMs with inflated prices. An eSIM from Slashtel costs from $2.09 and you get the same coverage on a major Thai network. You also avoid the hassle of swapping SIMs and losing access to your home number.
Yes. You can use your Thailand eSIM as a mobile hotspot for your laptop or tablet. This works well if you're travelling with a partner and only one of you needs a data plan. Check your phone's hotspot settings before you travel to make sure it's enabled.
You can buy a second eSIM from Slashtel while you're in Thailand. The QR code is emailed to you within a minute, and you can install it over Wi-Fi or using your existing data. You'll have a new data allowance without needing to find a local shop.
For most trips a 5GB to 10GB data eSIM valid for 30 days is the right size: Slashtel's 5GB plan for Thailand is $6.39 on TrueMove H, DTAC and CAT. That is about 16% less than the major eSIM brands charge for 10GB over 30 days (around $11.00, checked September 2026). Install it before you fly, keep your home SIM on for calls and bank texts, and top up the same eSIM if you run low.
If your phone supports eSIM, an eSIM is simpler than a local SIM card: nothing to collect at the airport, no passport registration, and your home SIM stays in the phone for calls and OTP texts. A physical SIM only makes sense for long stays where you need a local phone number.
From $2.09 for 1GB valid 7 days, as of 9 October 2026. Longer trips: two weeks from $4.29 (3GB), one month from $4.49 (3GB).
For a 10GB, 30-day plan Slashtel charges $9.29, against a typical price of around $11.00 from the major eSIM brands (checked September 2026), about 16% less. Budget sellers can be cheaper still, often with little or no support; Slashtel includes WhatsApp support and top-ups on the same eSIM.
$0.35 per GB on the 50GB plan (10 days, $17.69). Bigger plans usually cost less per GB, so buy the size you expect to use.
TrueMove H, DTAC, CAT, AIS and True Move, with speeds up to 5G where available. The eSIM picks the strongest network automatically.
No. Slashtel eSIMs are data only, with no local number, calls or SMS. WhatsApp and other internet calls work, and your home SIM can stay on for calls and OTP texts.
Validity starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in Thailand, not when you buy it, so you can buy and install it before you travel.
After payment Slashtel emails a QR code within a minute. Scan it in your phone settings while on Wi-Fi at home, then switch on data roaming for the eSIM when you land.
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. Dial *#06#: if an EID appears, the phone supports eSIM.
Yes. Hotspot and tethering are allowed on Slashtel eSIMs.
Pick a plan, pay by card. QR arrives by email within a minute.
Scan the QR on Wi-Fi at home. Takes two minutes. Keep your main SIM in.
Enable data roaming on the Slashtel line. Done, no shops, no queues.