Thailand SIM Card for Indian Tourists (2026)

Thailand SIM Card for Indian Tourists (2026)

Short answer: your Jio or Airtel SIM works in Thailand on a roaming pack, but for data a Thailand eSIM is far cheaper. A Simnity Thailand eSIM costs ₹380 for 1 GB / 7 days or ₹760 for 5 GB / 30 days, against ₹599 for Jio's 1 GB pack and ₹2,999 for its 5 GB pack. Indians can now stay 30 days visa-free (from 15 Sep 2026). Prices checked 28 Oct 2026.

Your three options, in rupees

Prices checked 28 Oct 2026: Simnity plans from the live simnity.com catalogue (data only); Jio packs from jio.com; Airtel packs from airtel.in. Operator packs include calls and SMS on your Indian number where listed.

Which one should you pick?

• Mostly maps, Grab, WhatsApp and Instagram: the eSIM gives several times more data for the money.
• Lots of calls to India on your own number: Jio's ₹951 pack (4 GB + 100 min out + 100 min in, 10 days) is the simplest.
• A 30-day trip: ₹1,045 buys 10 GB for 30 days on the eSIM, against ₹2,851 for Jio's 12 GB + calls pack.

Before you fly from India

• Visa: from 15 Sep 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders get 30 days visa-exempt for tourism (down from 60). For longer stays, apply for an e-visa. Source: Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi.
• TDAC: every foreign visitor files the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within the 3 days before arrival, at tdac.immigration.go.th.
• Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi so you skip the airport SIM counter queue.
• Tourist helpline in Thailand: TAT 1672 (Tourism Authority of Thailand).

Entry rules checked 22 Oct 2026 on official government sites. Rules change, so confirm before you travel.

Keeping your Indian number for bank and UPI OTPs

• Keep your Indian SIM switched on as the second line, with its mobile data off. Use the eSIM line for data.
• Jio says incoming SMS are free while roaming. Prepaid users must buy an IR pack at least once to switch roaming on, so check it is active before you fly.
• Airtel prepaid offers a ₹118 roaming activation, valid 28 days, with unlimited incoming SMS (an active domestic plan is needed; calls and data are then charged at standard rates).

Full comparison: Jio vs Airtel roaming vs eSIM.

Set it up before you leave India

1. Check your phone supports eSIM: device list.
2. Buy the Thailand eSIM and install it at home on Wi-Fi (install guide).
3. When you land, switch on the eSIM line and turn on data roaming for that line only.
4. Keep your Indian SIM on for calls and SMS, with its data off.

Not sure how much data you need? See how much data for travel.