Getting a SIM card
Getting a Thai SIM card on arrival is straightforward. All three major operators have counters at Chiang Mai International Airport arrivals, and shops throughout the city. You need your passport. Registration is mandatory and takes under five minutes. Prepaid SIMs are available to any foreign visitor regardless of visa type or length of stay.
The two operators most used by long-stay residents are AIS and True Move H (True). DTAC merged with True in 2023, so DTAC SIMs now operate on the True network. AIS has historically had the widest rural coverage in northern Thailand, which matters if you travel to Mae Hong Son province, smaller hill tribe areas or remote day trip destinations around Chiang Mai. True has competitive urban speeds and attractive unlimited data packages.
Strongest network in northern Thailand outside urban centres. Preferred for those who travel frequently to remote areas. Unlimited data plans from around 299 to 599 THB per month. Speed throttles after threshold on budget plans.
Good 4G and 5G coverage in Chiang Mai city. Often competitive on price for unlimited plans. Merged with DTAC so former DTAC users are now on this network. Tourist and monthly SIM packages available at airport and city shops.
DTAC branded SIMs still sold in some shops but the network is fully merged into True. If you have an existing DTAC SIM it continues to work. New customers are better served by buying a True SIM directly.
National Telecom (NT) is the state-owned operator formed from CAT and TOT. Rarely used by residents. Coverage in Chiang Mai is functional but not competitive with AIS or True for everyday use.
Typical SIM costs (monthly)
| Plan type | Monthly cost (THB) |
|---|---|
| Basic data SIM – 10GB, no calls | 99 to 199 |
| Unlimited data – speed throttled after 30GB | 299 to 399 |
| Unlimited data – higher threshold or true unlimited | 499 to 699 |
| SIM with local calls included | 350 to 599 |
| Tourist SIM – 7 days unlimited | 299 to 349 |
Number portability: If you switch operator and want to keep your Thai number, number portability is available but requires visiting a physical store and completing paperwork. The process takes one to two working days.
eSIMs for arrival and short stays
eSIM support is available through AIS and True for compatible devices. Several international eSIM providers also offer Thailand coverage at competitive rates, which is useful if you want data connectivity before you land or do not want to queue at the airport SIM counter.
For stays of two weeks or less, an eSIM from an international provider may be simpler than registering a local SIM. For stays beyond one month, a local physical SIM from AIS or True is usually more economical and gives access to better-value monthly plans.
Note that most international eSIM plans for Thailand do not provide a local Thai phone number, which you will need for banking apps, LINE accounts and many Thai services that require SMS verification to a Thai number.
Home internet
Fibre broadband is available across most of Chiang Mai city and the inner suburbs. AIS Fibre and True Online (formerly TrueMove H Fibre) are the two primary providers. Connection speeds of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps are available in most areas.
Installation requires a landlord's consent for the connection point and usually takes three to seven working days after signing up. Monthly costs run 500 to 700 THB for 300 Mbps packages and 700 to 900 THB for 1 Gbps packages. Most providers require a six-month or twelve-month contract, though month-to-month arrangements are sometimes negotiable.
If your apartment already has a building fibre connection installed, the landlord may include internet in the rental price or charge a flat monthly fee of 300 to 500 THB. Ask before signing a lease.
| Option | Speed | Monthly cost (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| AIS Fibre – standard | 300 Mbps | 590 |
| AIS Fibre – premium | 1 Gbps | 799 |
| True Online – standard | 300 Mbps | 590 |
| True Online – premium | 1 Gbps | 899 |
| Building-included (landlord flat rate) | Varies | 300 to 500 |
Opening a Thai bank account
A Thai bank account simplifies daily life significantly: ATM withdrawals at no fee, QR code payments, Thai app registration, and receiving local transfers. It also reduces foreign transaction fees and the 220 THB per-withdrawal charge that foreign cards attract at Thai ATMs.
The requirements for foreigners have tightened in recent years and vary between banks and even between branches. The process is easier for holders of non-immigrant visas (O, O-A, B, ED) than for tourist visa holders or those on visa-exempt entry. That said, some branches open accounts for holders of tourist visas or even visa-exempt stamps, particularly in Chiang Mai where international customers are common.
One of the more foreigner-friendly banks in Chiang Mai. The Nimman branch and Airport Plaza branch have experience with international customers. Accepts non-immigrant visa holders routinely. Some branches open accounts for tourist visa holders with a larger initial deposit (typically 10,000 to 20,000 THB). Requires passport, visa, and proof of address. The Bangkok Bank New York branch relationship makes international transfers simpler for US dollar transfers.
Widely used by expats. KBank's K PLUS app is well regarded and supports PromptPay, QR payments and international wire receipt. Account opening requirements vary by branch. The K PLUS app requires a Thai phone number for SMS verification. Generally requires non-immigrant visa for straightforward opening, though some Central Festival and Nimman branches have processed tourist visa accounts on a case-by-case basis.
Thailand's oldest bank with good branch coverage in Chiang Mai. SCB Easy app is functional but has had more friction for foreign card linking than KBank. Opening requirements are similar to Bangkok Bank. The Central Airport branch handles international customers regularly. Initial deposit typically 2,000 to 5,000 THB.
Less commonly recommended for foreigners on short-stay visa types. Part of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, which can be useful for Japanese nationals. Requirements are generally stricter and the English-language branch experience in Chiang Mai is less consistent than Bangkok Bank or KBank.
Documents typically required
- Original passport with valid visa stamp
- TM6 departure card (if still issued at your entry point)
- Proof of address in Thailand: rental contract or TM30 registration receipt
- Initial deposit: typically 2,000 to 20,000 THB depending on bank and visa type
- Some branches request a letter of recommendation from your employer or school
Branch matters more than bank: Requirements are not uniformly applied. The same bank can refuse at one branch and approve at another. If declined, try a different branch before switching banks. Branches at malls and airport plazas generally have more experience with international customers than high street branches in Thai neighbourhoods.
ATM fees and cash access
Thai ATMs charge a flat 220 THB fee per withdrawal on foreign-issued cards. This applies at all bank ATMs regardless of your own bank's international ATM policy. The fee is separate from any currency conversion fee or foreign transaction fee charged by your own bank. With multiple withdrawals per month this adds up to a meaningful amount.
The standard ATM withdrawal limit is 20,000 THB per transaction at most Thai banks (some allow up to 30,000 THB). To minimise fees, take larger amounts less frequently rather than multiple smaller withdrawals.
Having a Wise or Revolut card in addition to your regular card gives access to the interbank exchange rate and reduces or eliminates your own bank's foreign transaction fee. The Thai ATM fee of 220 THB still applies regardless of which card you use.
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Thai ATM fee (per withdrawal, all foreign cards) | 220 THB |
| Your bank's foreign transaction fee (typical) | 1.5% to 3% |
| Exchange rate margin (typical bank card) | 1% to 3% |
| Wise card exchange rate margin | 0% to 0.5% |
| Maximum withdrawal per transaction (typical) | 20,000 THB |
| Thai bank account ATM fee (same bank) | 0 THB |
International transfers into Thailand
If you receive income from outside Thailand, you need a reliable way to transfer funds in. The options differ by speed, cost, exchange rate and ease of use.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Wise is used by a large proportion of Chiang Mai's foreign resident community. It offers the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent percentage fee (typically 0.4% to 0.8% for GBP/EUR/USD to THB). Transfers arrive in one to two working days directly into a Thai bank account. Wise also offers a debit card for direct spending and ATM withdrawals at mid-market rates. The 220 THB Thai ATM fee still applies when using the Wise card at a Thai ATM.
Revolut
Revolut operates similarly to Wise with competitive exchange rates and a card product. It is popular with European residents. The free tier has monthly limits on fee-free exchange. Paid tiers remove those limits. Transfers to Thai bank accounts are supported but may take one to three days. Exchange rates on weekends sometimes carry a markup.
Bank wire transfer
Standard international SWIFT transfers from your home bank to a Thai account work reliably but typically carry higher fees (15 to 35 USD or equivalent per transfer) and less competitive exchange rates. Bangkok Bank's New York branch arrangement provides a more efficient USD transfer route for US-based residents. For regular monthly transfers, Wise or Revolut are usually more cost-effective.
PromptPay
PromptPay is Thailand's instant bank transfer system, linked to national ID or phone number. Once you have a Thai bank account and a Thai SIM, PromptPay enables instant transfers between Thai accounts at no cost. It is the primary method for local payments, splitting bills and receiving money from Thai contacts. It does not handle international transfers.
Digital payments and QR codes
Cashless payment is widespread in Chiang Mai markets, restaurants and shops. Thai QR code payments work through your bank's app and deduct directly from your account. Most vendors who accept card payment also accept QR code payment. The Nimman area, Central Festival, Maya Mall and most coffee shops and co-working spaces accept QR payment without issue.
Google Pay and Apple Pay are not universally supported at Thai point-of-sale terminals, though acceptance has grown. Cash is still preferred at fresh markets, street food vendors, songthaew drivers, and smaller independent shops.
LINE Pay is used within the LINE messaging app for peer-to-peer payments and some retail purchases. LINE is the dominant messaging platform in Thailand and LINE Pay is integrated into daily Thai commerce. Setting up LINE Pay requires a Thai bank account and a Thai phone number.
A practical setup order when you arrive
For a new long-stay resident, the following order minimises friction:
- Get an AIS or True SIM at the airport on arrival. Register with your passport. Choose a monthly plan immediately rather than a short tourist SIM if you are staying more than two weeks.
- Set up a Wise account before arriving if you have not already. Link it to your home bank account so you can transfer funds as soon as you need THB.
- Once you have a rental address and a TM30 receipt from your landlord, open a KBank or Bangkok Bank account. Bring your passport, visa, TM30 and rental contract. The Nimman or Airport Plaza branches are recommended starting points.
- Once the bank account is active, set up PromptPay by linking your Thai phone number. Enable internet banking. Transfer an initial float via Wise to your new Thai account.
- Set up home internet once you have a lease in place. AIS Fibre or True Online. If your condo already has building internet, check the landlord's package before ordering a separate line.
