Sim Card

I have been using AIS sim card recently on my regular visits to Thailand usually getting topped up or even a new SIM at Subvarnabhumi. This is for internet and calls.
Am I getting the best value doing that or should I be looking elsewhere.
Thanks for your help.
Andrew

There are so many options on the 3 networks AIS, DTac, True, it's very difficult to sort out what is best. In the end they are all much of a muchness.
You might trying going on the websites and looking round.
They all have and English language option.
With a current AIS number, you can register on the AIS site and probably arrange a convenient way to top up even before you get to Thailand.

For bank fees on your foreign bank cards could make that an expensive option.
Paul

Thank you, will look into that option

Thank you

If you register with them you can get a lot more than top ups and I'm not sure you will get high bank fees even.
You need to try it and see what you can do.
I use a Thai bank usually but I have bought about 3 top-up cards in the last 15 years...I always use my bank a/c/ internet or do it from an ATM...... it is so much more convenient. as a one time payment to set up some credit on your phone before arrival, it may be worth it.
(you need to check when your SIM expires)

If you have to top up to extend the life of the card (is regularly) while you are away using a foreign card you will have to consider how much your home bank charges you.

Do you have friends there? I used to get Indonesian friends to top my card up when I was away using the money I left them.

Paul

Both the banks and phone companies offer various products, like any other business they cost - sometimes they are free, but usually there is a price - just like any other product you need to decide if the price is right for you......

Thank you, useful info.

AIS is indeed a perfect operator for thailand, but if you want you can also take your sim at Sim options, this way you can receive your sim before going on vacation. What's more practical. https://www.simoptions.com/prepaid-sim-card-thailand/

I am a fan of DTAC actually. I traveled here many times in the past and now working here in Thailand. The DTAC's connection quality is probably the most stable, and I am happy with the video streaming speed (not just in Bangkok but in other cities and provinces in Thailand).

I see there are some tourist sim packages that don't cost much at all (8 day for 299THB and 15 day for 599THB) with unlimited data. FYI: https://www.dtac.co.th/info/call-to-india.html.

After 20 years in Thailand i still have the same AIS number but have used True and DTAC quite extensively for calls and data...at present i have a twin SIM phone AIS and True and a tablet AIS. I have a friend whose house is in a signal "shadow for which one uses a Dtac with data.
My conclusion is that all the big 3 service providers are much of a muchness...there is very little to choose between them these days.
In fact unless your location is known to have no signal from a particular provider, I'd say don't waste time worrying, just choose a package that seems to best suit your needs......and there's an awful lot of packages.

Thank you for this further info. I had come to the conclusion that there is little to choose between the biggest service suppliers. However on my last Thai visit in June I topped up at AIS Ramkhamhaeng Mall and within a few days I found my internet was rather slow so I visited AIS Central World, Chitlom who told me I had 1G speed and should be 5G. I paid B200 for one week and all was OK.
Maybe my experience is something other visitor might take on board.
Thank you for taking the time to share your views.

Many of the packages offered are "unlimited internet" - but in reality they sell the higher speeds by the GB and then revert to Edge or very slow when the GBs are used up.

The AIS English Language call center has always been very helpful in choosing a package - they'll even check how much you were using on previous packages, and it's important to tell them what you want to use the data package for - e.g. streaming music, downloading lots of stuff, hot spot for all you other devices - the speed required and consumption rates will vary....

As a tourist in Thailand I usually stay in places with wifi but I often don't know this in advance so overbuy at the airport; I do like to have some data to use when I am moving around like for Google Maps.

I'm in Indonesia now and often travel to places that are poorly served and am confined to Telkomsel who sells packages with unusuable components. Telkomsel sends a message in Indonesian when your package had finished and takes any further use from pulsa at exorbatant Rates; I prefer DTAC.

Will be back in Thailand in the beginning of October. I'll see what I can do with my old DTAC card from June.

Paul