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Best eSIM for Thailand (2026): Airalo and Nomad Compared

Provider pages checkedLast verified: Oct 15, 20262 options

An eSIM gives your phone mobile data in Thailand without a physical SIM card. You buy a plan online, install it, and switch it on when you land. Below are the two providers we could verify. They are listed in alphabetical order, not ranked.

Not listed yet: Saily. Its pages blocked our checks, so we could not confirm its current Thailand plans. We will add it after a manual check. Plans longer than 30 days were not shown on any page we read.

Airalo

Unlimited Thailand plans from 3 to 30 days

Thailand plans we saw (Oct 15, 2026)

  • 3 days, unlimited: $9.50
  • 5 days, unlimited: $15
  • 7 days, unlimited: $21
  • 10 days, unlimited: $31
  • 15 days, unlimited: $39
  • 30 days, unlimited: $49

What we confirmed

  • The Thailand page labels the network as True, plus one other network it doesn't name.
  • Hotspot is allowed if your device and the network allow it.
  • You can usually install right after buying. For most plans, validity starts when the eSIM connects to a network.
  • Only rechargeable eSIMs can be topped up. Unused data is lost when the plan ends.

Check before you buy

  • Whether each plan is data only or includes calls and texts. We could not find this per plan.
  • The daily data cap on the unlimited plans. It isn't on the page.
  • Phone rules. Airalo's iPhone help article asks for a model that isn't made for China, Hong Kong or Macao, and a phone with no SIM restrictions.
  • The refund policy. We could not read Airalo's refund page directly, so read it before you buy.

Source: Airalo Thailand page and help center, read Oct 15, 2026.

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Nomad

The widest mix of fixed-data plans for Thailand

Thailand plans we saw (Oct 15, 2026)

  • 1 GB, 7 days: $5
  • 3 GB, 30 days: $6
  • 5 GB, 30 days: $8
  • 10 GB, 30 days: $10
  • 50 GB, 10 days: $15
  • Unlimited, 10 days: $15 (shown as on sale)

What we confirmed

  • Networks named are True, AIS and dtac. The page says 4G and 5G, and adds that speeds vary.
  • Hotspot is supported.
  • Install by app, QR code or manual entry. Do it on a stable internet connection before you fly.
  • The QR code works once, so a deleted eSIM can't be reinstalled.
  • A plan must be activated within 60 days, or it starts by itself on day 60.

Check before you buy

  • Carrier-locked phones may not work. A phone that isn't carrier-locked also needs eSIM hardware.
  • Refund policy dated Aug 24, 2026: requests within 30 days, and unused eSIMs are fully refundable. All Unlimited plans and the 10-day 50 GB plan are listed as non-refundable. A second version of the policy may list different plans, so read the live page.
  • Whether a plan includes a local number. The FAQ only says some do.
  • Validity starts when the eSIM connects, except on the dtac Thailand plan, which starts at install.

Source: Nomad Thailand page, device page and refund policy (Aug 24, 2026), read Oct 15, 2026.

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Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no cost to you. Sponsored spots are labeled. Prices shift often, so check the live page. We found no official page that explains Thai SIM registration rules for eSIM buyers.

How to choose

  • Check that your phone supports eSIM and isn't carrier-locked.
  • Pick the plan by how many days you stay, then by how much data you use.
  • Install before you fly, then switch the plan on after you land.
  • For stays over a month, expect to buy a new plan, since we saw none longer than 30 days.
  • Read the refund rule for the exact plan, since unlimited plans are treated differently.

Questions people ask

Which eSIM is best for Thailand?

It depends on your stay. Airalo's Thailand page shows only unlimited plans, from 3 to 30 days. Nomad offers fixed-data plans from 1 GB to 50 GB and one unlimited plan. Compare the days you need and the data you use, then check the refund rules.

Can I use my phone as a hotspot with a Thailand eSIM?

Both providers say hotspot is allowed. Airalo says it works if your device and the network allow it. Nomad says hotspot is supported. Rules can differ by plan, so check the plan page before you buy if you plan to share data with a laptop.

When should I install a Thailand eSIM?

Install it before you fly, on a stable internet connection. Nomad advises this and says the QR code works only once. For most plans, validity starts when the eSIM connects to a Thai network, so you can install early without losing days. One Nomad plan starts at install.

Can I get a refund on a Thailand eSIM?

Nomad's policy, dated August 24, 2026, refunds unused eSIMs in full within 30 days. Unlimited plans are non-refundable. We could not read Airalo's refund page directly. Read the policy for your exact plan before you pay, because the rules differ by plan type.

Sources

  • Airalo: Thailand eSIM page and help center (read Oct 15, 2026)
  • Nomad: Thailand page, device page and refund policy dated Aug 24, 2026 (read Oct 15, 2026)