Quick answerFor most Thailand travelers, Airalo is the best overall because fixed bundles make costs predictable. Drimsim is the better budget pick only if you use very little data or hop countries, since it charges €10 for the eSIM then €0.01/MB in Thailand (~€10.24/GB). Airalo also has the simplest unlimited data-only option, while Drimsim has no monthly fee and no fixed bundle. Airalo Thailand plans · Drimsim pay-as-you-go
You are heading to Thailand and trying to decide between two very different eSIM models. Airalo sells fixed data bundles: you pay once, get a set amount of data, and know the cap before you fly. Drimsim sells a €10 eSIM and then charges by the megabyte, so you pay only for what you use.
That difference matters. If you use 10GB in a month, Airalo's 10GB/30-day plan costs $11.00. If you use 10GB on Drimsim at €0.01/MB, you would spend about €102.40. But if you use under a few hundred MB, Drimsim can be cheaper, and the same SIM works in about 190 countries.
This guide compares Drimsim and Airalo honestly for Thailand. Both are data-only in Thailand, meaning no Thai +66 phone number, voice, or SMS. If you need a Thai number, you need a different product entirely. Prices below are verified October 2026.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- 1. Airalo — Best overall for predictable Thailand data bundles and unlimited data-only plans.
- 2. Drimsim — Best for pay-as-you-go, very light data use, and multi-country travel.
Quick Comparison Table
| Provider | Best For | Data | Validity | Network | Thai Number | Price | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Fixed bundles and unlimited data-only plans | 1 GB to 10 GB fixed; unlimited data-only options | 3 to 30 days depending on plan | True 5G | No +66 number, voice, or SMS | Fixed from $4.00; unlimited from $9.50 | Check Airalo |
| Drimsim | Pay-as-you-go and multi-country travel | Pay per MB; ~€10.24 per GB | No fixed validity; no monthly fee | See live coverage details | No +66 number, voice, or SMS | €10 eSIM + €0.01/MB in Thailand | Check Drimsim |
Prices verified October 2026. Live prices may differ — verify at checkout.
How We Tested
Prices verified October 2026 on providers' sites. We walked through checkout flows where available, checked plan limits, and named networks only where providers name them. Airalo Thailand runs on True 5G; Drimsim does not name a Thai network in the details we verified, so check live coverage. We did not run speed tests or claim on-the-ground testing. Prices change; always confirm live pricing before buying.
In-Depth Reviews
1. Airalo — Best Overall
Data-only Thailand eSIM on True 5G. Fixed plans from $4.00; unlimited from $9.50. No Thai +66 number, voice, or SMS.Airalo is the simplest choice for most Thailand trips. You pick a fixed bundle before you fly, install the eSIM, and know your data cap. It runs on True 5G in Thailand. It is data-only: no Thai phone number, voice, or SMS.
Pricing starts at $4.00 for 1 GB over 3 days and goes to $11.00 for 10 GB over 30 days. If you want unlimited, Airalo sells 3-day to 30-day unlimited data-only plans from $9.50 to $49.00. That makes it easy to budget.
The downside is that unused data does not roll over. If you underestimate, you buy another plan. For very light use, Drimsim's per-MB model can be cheaper. For heavy use, Airalo's 10 GB/30-day plan at $11.00 or its unlimited plans are usually better value.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price (verified October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed 1 GB / 3 days | 1 GB | 3 days | $4.00 |
| Fixed 3 GB / 7 days | 3 GB | 7 days | $6.00 |
| Fixed 5 GB / 15 days | 5 GB | 15 days | $7.50 |
| Fixed 5 GB / 30 days | 5 GB | 30 days | $8.00 |
| Fixed 10 GB / 30 days | 10 GB | 30 days | $11.00 |
| Unlimited 3 days | Unlimited data-only | 3 days | $9.50 |
| Unlimited 5 days | Unlimited data-only | 5 days | $15.00 |
| Unlimited 7 days | Unlimited data-only | 7 days | $21.00 |
| Unlimited 10 days | Unlimited data-only | 10 days | $31.00 |
| Unlimited 15 days | Unlimited data-only | 15 days | $39.00 |
| Unlimited 30 days | Unlimited data-only | 30 days | $49.00 |
Pros
- Fixed pricing available before you travel
- Runs on True 5G in Thailand
- Unlimited data-only options from 3 to 30 days
- 14-day refund if unactivated; 30 days for technical issues
Cons
- Data-only: no Thai +66 number, voice, or SMS
- Unused data does not roll over
- Per-MB Drimsim can be cheaper for tiny usage
- No Thai number for local OTP or calls
Check Airalo Thailand plans →
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2. Drimsim — Best for Pay-As-You-Go
€10 eSIM, then €0.01/MB in Thailand (~€10.24/GB). Data-only, no monthly fee, works in about 190 countries.Drimsim is not a fixed bundle. You buy the eSIM for €10, then pay only for data you use. In Thailand, mobile data is €0.01/MB measured in KB, which works out to about €10.24/GB. There are no monthly fees.
This model wins if you use very little data. A week of map checks, messaging, and light browsing might stay under 1 GB. It also wins if you travel across multiple countries because the same eSIM works in about 190 countries. You do not have to buy a new plan for each border.
The catch is heavy data use. At about €10.24/GB, 10 GB would cost about €102.40, while Airalo's 10 GB/30-day plan is $11.00. Drimsim is data-only in Thailand, with no +66 number, voice, or SMS. Check live coverage details for the exact Thai network.
| Item | Price (verified October 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM cost | €10.00 | One-time eSIM purchase |
| Thailand mobile data | €0.01/MB | Measured in KB; approx €10.24/GB |
| Monthly fee | None | No monthly fees |
| Coverage | ~190 countries | Single SIM works worldwide |
Pros
- Pay only for traffic you actually use
- No monthly fees
- Single eSIM works in about 190 countries
- Good for very light data and multi-country trips
Cons
- Heavy data use gets expensive fast
- Data-only: no Thai +66 number, voice, or SMS
- No fixed unlimited option
- Thai network is not named in the details we verified
Check Drimsim eSIM →
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How Much Data Do You Need in Thailand?
Thailand is easy to cover with a data-only eSIM if you rely on apps. Maps, messaging, ride-hailing, and email use little data. Video, cloud backups, and hotspot use add up quickly. Use the rough bands below to choose between Airalo fixed bundles and Drimsim pay-as-you-go.
Light traveler: maps, messaging, email
If you mainly use Google Maps, WhatsApp, email, and a few web searches, aim for 1 to 3 GB per week. For a short trip, Airalo's 1 GB/3-day plan at $4.00 or 3 GB/7-day plan at $6.00 is usually cheaper than Drimsim once you pass a few hundred MB. Drimsim only wins if your usage is tiny.
Moderate traveler: social media and some video
If you post photos, scroll social media, and watch short videos, aim for 3 to 5 GB per week. Airalo's 5 GB/15-day plan at $7.50 or 10 GB/30-day plan at $11.00 gives you a predictable cap. Drimsim's per-MB pricing can work, but you need to watch usage.
Heavy traveler: streaming, video calls, hotspot
If you stream, take video calls, or share your connection to a laptop, aim for 10 GB+ or an unlimited plan. Airalo's 10 GB/30-day plan at $11.00 is strong value. Airalo unlimited data-only plans run from $9.50 for 3 days to $49.00 for 30 days. Drimsim is usually not the right fit here because per-MB costs add up.
Long stay: 30 days in Thailand
For a month, Airalo has 5 GB/30 days at $8.00, 10 GB/30 days at $11.00, and unlimited 30 days at $49.00. Drimsim has no monthly fee, so it can make sense if you use very little data or move between countries. You won't get a Thai phone number from either — both are data-only.
eSIM vs Local Thai SIM Card
Airalo and Drimsim are travel data eSIMs. They give you internet access, but they do not give you a Thai +66 phone number, voice, or SMS. That is fine for most app-based travel, including maps, messaging, and ride-hailing. It matters if a local service asks for a Thai number for OTP or calls.
A local Thai SIM or a Thai carrier eSIM gives you a real +66 number. Thai carrier eSIMs via thailandesim.com offer a Thai number from USD 8.9. Important fine print: a Thai carrier eSIM installs ONLY once in Thailand. Outgoing calls and SMS require in-store passport KYC. Do not install it before you arrive if you need that number.
Choose a data-only eSIM if you mainly use apps and do not need local calls or SMS. Choose a local Thai SIM if you need a Thai number for calls, SMS, OTP, or a longer stay. If you need OTP for Grab or food delivery, a Thai number can help; see our related guide on Grab OTP and eSIM.
Thailand-Specific Fine Print: Install Timing, Coverage, and Tethering
Install timing matters. Thai carrier eSIMs, such as True via thailandesim.com, install ONLY once you are in Thailand. If you need a +66 number, do not install before arrival. Airalo and Drimsim are data-only travel eSIMs; check their live install instructions before you fly.
Coverage: Airalo Thailand runs on True 5G. Drimsim works in about 190 countries, but it does not name a Thai network in the details we verified, so check live coverage before buying. Thailand's main mobile networks are AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove H, which now operates as True. Tourist eSIMs in our comparisons often run on True 5G.
Tethering: plan terms vary by provider and plan. Check the live plan terms before you rely on hotspot for a laptop or second phone. Airports: Bangkok has Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). Other common entry points include Phuket (HKT) and Chiang Mai (CNX). If you need a local SIM, buy after arrival. If you use a data-only eSIM, set it up according to the provider's live instructions.
How to Choose by Trip Length
Add a Thailand VPN for public Wi-Fi
A data-only eSIM gets you online, but it does not encrypt public Wi-Fi. Compare Thailand VPNs for safer hotel, airport, and cafe connections.
Final Verdict: Airalo for Most, Drimsim for Light Data
For most Thailand travelers, Airalo is the better default. Fixed bundles make your costs predictable, Airalo runs on True 5G in Thailand, and the 10 GB/30-day plan at $11.00 is hard to beat for a month-long trip. Unlimited data-only options from $9.50 for 3 days to $49.00 for 30 days cover heavier use.
Drimsim is the better pick only if you use very little data or travel across multiple countries and want one eSIM. The €10 eSIM plus €0.01/MB in Thailand (~€10.24/GB) can be cheap for light use, but heavy use gets expensive fast.
Remember the shared limit: both Airalo and Drimsim are data-only in Thailand. No +66 number, voice, or SMS. If you need a Thai number for calls or OTP, choose a Thai carrier eSIM instead and install it only after you arrive.