For most Thailand trips, a fixed 10–20 GB package is the cleanest buy. Airalo showed 20 GB for 30 days at $18, while Saily and Yesim were close at $19.99 and $20.40. Pay for unlimited data only if you stream, work or tether heavily.
Quick verdict
- Lowest verified 20 GB price: Airalo, $18 for 30 days, on True and AIS.
- Lowest verified seven-day unlimited price: Maya, $19.99, on AIS. Its page claims no cap or throttling, but the plan auto-renews while Travel Mode remains on.
- Most explicit hotspot allowance: Holafly permits 1 GB per day; Saily states unrestricted hotspot use.
- Need ordinary calls: Airalo separately listed a DTAC package with 50 GB + 100 minutes for 10 days at $9.90. It starts at installation, unlike Maew data plans that start on first connection.
Thailand eSIM prices compared
| Provider | Useful verified plan | Network / speed | Hotspot | Condition to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 20 GB / 30 days — $18 | True + AIS; speed generation not published | Supported when device and network allow it | Unlimited drops to 1 Mbps after 3 GB/day |
| Holafly | Unlimited / 7 days — $27.50 | True + DTAC, 5G/4G/LTE | 1 GB/day | Temporary fair-use slowdown possible; threshold not stated |
| Saily | 20 GB / 30 days — $19.99 | Thai partner not named, 3G–5G | Stated as unlimited | Unlimited gives 5 GB/day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps |
| Maya | Unlimited / 7 days — $19.99 | AIS, 5G/4G/LTE | Included | Auto-renews while Travel Mode is on |
| Yesim | 20 GB / 30 days — $20.40 | Carrier not named; automatic network selection including 5G | Depends on operator | Promotional price; unlimited fair-use threshold not disclosed |
These are representative offers, not every available package. Recheck the final total and terms before paying.
Which plan fits your trip?
For a week using Google Maps, Grab, LINE, messages and occasional social media, 5–10 GB is usually enough. Airalo displayed 5 GB for seven days at $7 and 10 GB at $10. Saily’s lightest option was 1 GB for seven days at $2.99, which is better reserved for very light use.
For two to four weeks, 20 GB gives more breathing room without paying for “unlimited.” Airalo, Saily and Yesim were within $2.40 of each other. Choose by network disclosure, hotspot policy and app preference rather than price alone.
Unlimited data is useful for video calls and remote work, but the rules differ. Airalo and Saily publish daily high-speed thresholds. Holafly and Yesim warn that fair use may reduce speed without stating the Thailand threshold. Maya currently claims no caps or throttling; treat that as a provider claim and verify it again at checkout.
Coverage, hotspot and calls in Thailand
True, AIS and DTAC are the named Thai networks in the offers we could verify. Airalo’s Maew plan names True and AIS; Holafly names True and DTAC; Maya names AIS. Saily and Yesim do not disclose their Thai partner on the destination page.
That distinction matters more outside Bangkok and the main tourist centres. If your route includes smaller islands, mountain roads or long rail journeys, prefer a plan that names a network you can check against your itinerary.
Most compared plans are data-first. Keep your home SIM for bank texts and your usual number, but disable data roaming on that line. Saily sells calls and texts as separate add-ons. Airalo’s DTAC package is the only destination offer here that explicitly included minutes.
Install before you fly
Confirm that your exact phone model supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Install over reliable Wi-Fi before departure, but do not start the plan early: Airalo’s DTAC offer begins at installation, while its Maew plan starts on first connection in Thailand.
After landing, select the travel eSIM for mobile data and enable data roaming on that eSIM. Saily activates automatically when it connects. Holafly and Yesim begin validity on connection to a supported network. Maya can be activated on demand or for a future date.
FAQ
Is an eSIM better than an airport SIM in Thailand?
An eSIM saves the airport queue and can be installed before departure. A local physical SIM can still make sense if you need a Thai number or a specific local package.
Can I share data with a laptop?
Yes with conditions. Saily states unrestricted sharing, Holafly limits it to 1 GB/day, Maya includes it, Yesim makes it operator-dependent, and Airalo requires device and network support.
When should I buy it?
A few days before departure is practical. Saily has a 30-day activation window, Airalo’s Maew package 90 days, and Yesim 180 days. Install early enough to solve compatibility issues, but follow the specific activation rule.
Continuing through Asia?
Compare Japan eSIM and China eSIM before deciding whether separate country plans or a regional Asia package costs less for your route.