Are Thai SIM cards available on arrival at the Bangkok airports ?

[allane]

Do those arriving by plane have an opportunity to buy a Thai SIM card at the airport before being bundled off to their quarantine hotel ?

At Suwannaphum ?  At Don Meuang ?  If your experience was at one of these,please indicate which.

[RocketDog]

Sure are, and as a bonus (but not for you) the government includes a stealth tracking app so they will know everything about your activities. 

Wait til you get to your destination and buy one locally, ideally having a Thai friend do it for you especially if you're a short stay. 

On the other hand if you don't care about privacy just buy one at Swampy. 

[Farma]

I came through swampy 4 weeks ago and didn't notice anywhere selling sim cards. Once you clear health checks you're directed towards immigration, collect baggage then out to gate 9 for collection by your waiting ASQ team.

[ChakaKhan]

Unless they changed it up there are-or were many as soon as you entered as they wanted to nab ya...they are <deleted>!  True move was junk as its marketed as a tourist SIM

 

It was crappy and a waste of money--i got rid of it quick enough.......will be empty before you know it..total rip off imo...will need your passport for a SIM too FYI

 

Id go to the BASEMENT at Swampy where the air link train is.......I used to use the Super Rich to get baht there and the 7-11 is there...Id get a Sim card at that 7-11   a legit thai one-50 bt

 

AIS is my fav but true move allowed me to use free wifi at any and all 7-11s......i also set up google voice in the states to be able to call and text free over any wifi signal--handy indeed

 

if you cant get one Im sure you could probaby get ASQ or a delivery app to bring you one if really desperate.......but my secret hack when landing is the basement--exchange $$ and 7-11 Sim

[treetops]

33 minutes ago, ChakaKhan said:

but my secret hack when landing is the basement--exchange $$ and 7-11 Sim

 

OP is going to quarantine and won't be allowed to wander about the airport changing money and buying SIM cards.

[Ireland32]

2 hours ago, RocketDog said:

Sure are, and as a bonus (but not for you) the government includes a stealth tracking app so they will know everything about your activities. 

Wait til you get to your destination and buy one locally, ideally having a Thai friend do it for you especially if you're a short stay. 

On the other hand if you don't care about privacy just buy one at Swampy. 

He will be in Quarantine, not like he can run to mall, I doubt they have all these people shopping at airport , especially if going into lockdown at hotel 

[Ireland32]

2 hours ago, ChakaKhan said:

Unless they changed it up there are-or were many as soon as you entered as they wanted to nab ya...they are <deleted>!  True move was junk as its marketed as a tourist SIM

 

It was crappy and a waste of money--i got rid of it quick enough.......will be empty before you know it..total rip off imo...will need your passport for a SIM too FYI

 

Id go to the BASEMENT at Swampy where the air link train is.......I used to use the Super Rich to get baht there and the 7-11 is there...Id get a Sim card at that 7-11   a legit thai one-50 bt

 

AIS is my fav but true move allowed me to use free wifi at any and all 7-11s......i also set up google voice in the states to be able to call and text free over any wifi signal--handy indeed

 

if you cant get one Im sure you could probaby get ASQ or a delivery app to bring you one if really desperate.......but my secret hack when landing is the basement--exchange $$ and 7-11 Sim

You think they let you outta their site if arriving , NOT 

[Peter Denis]

26 minutes ago, Ireland32 said:

He will be in Quarantine, not like he can run to mall, I doubt they have all these people shopping at airport , especially if going into lockdown at hotel 

With wi-fi in the Hotel, he probably won't need a Thai SIM-card for those first 15 days on Thai soil.

Once out of quarantaine, he will want one.  But he should check out the many amazing deals that can be made when buying a Thai SIM-card.

[KhaoYai]

I doubt any of the telecoms shops at Suvanabhumi are open.

[ChakaKhan]

Cant see why you couldnt bribe a thai with a tip to bring one thru the hotel itself or a delivery app......You could argue they need your passport but Ive had thais buy me a SIM and set it up for me without my passport ID......as others noted there are many apps to use with hotel wifi as well...my phone im using now isnt active as I use it with wifi for all my needs+google voice...

[ChakaKhan]

21 hours ago, treetops said:

 

OP is going to quarantine and won't be allowed to wander about the airport changing money and buying SIM cards.

money talks..worth a shot ! ????

[ChakaKhan]

24 minutes ago, ChakaKhan said:

money talks..worth a shot ! ????

Example--i arrive in swampy--ASQ folks are there, Im masked up, they temp/ screen me, whatever--negative as my papers show. As im already in the airport I kindly ask If I may visit the 7-11 in basement, escorted by one of them for a quick trip.. the KEY being, I need the SIM to contact my THAI GF, whom I "take care" of ($$$) and need to let her know i have safely arrived as i certainly cannot have visitors during my stay-2weeks alone.......I smile and wai foolishly and dress nice, looking like a hansum man, i even offer to buy a mama cup for my escort to 7-11 ????

[Peter Denis]

27 minutes ago, ChakaKhan said:

Example--i arrive in swampy--ASQ folks are there, Im masked up, they temp/ screen me, whatever--negative as my papers show. As im already in the airport I kindly ask If I may visit the 7-11 in basement, escorted by one of them for a quick trip.. the KEY being, I need the SIM to contact my THAI GF, whom I "take care" of ($$$) and need to let her know i have safely arrived as i certainly cannot have visitors during my stay-2weeks alone.......I smile and wai foolishly and dress nice, looking like a hansum man, i even offer to buy a mama cup for my escort to 7-11 ????

Why don't you ask your girlfriend to install one of the many free video-chat apps on her mobile phone.  E.g. LINE, WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger, etc. 

When both of you have installed same app on our mobile phone then you talk and even see each other for as long as you like at no cost, as you only need an internet connection.  So no SIM needed as you can use the Hotel WiFi for this.

[ZergBurger]

Just finished my asq today, on the way to Chiang Mai. NO, you cannot buy a SIM card at Suvarnabhumi, and you can't exchange money either. You are taken straight to the ASQ hotel directly after doing paperwork.  My gf shipped me a sim card from Chiang Mai and it took less than 2 days 

[Salerno]

1 hour ago, ChakaKhan said:

Example--i arrive in swampy--ASQ folks are there, Im masked up, they temp/ screen me, whatever--negative as my papers show. As im already in the airport I kindly ask If I may visit the 7-11 in basement, escorted by one of them for a quick trip.. the KEY being, I need the SIM to contact my THAI GF, whom I "take care" of ($$$) and need to let her know i have safely arrived as i certainly cannot have visitors during my stay-2weeks alone.......I smile and wai foolishly and dress nice, looking like a hansum man, i even offer to buy a mama cup for my escort to 7-11 ????

 

And then you wake up having had a very strange dream 

 

Edited February 5, 2021 by Salerno

[ChakaKhan]

22 hours ago, Salerno said:

 

And then you wake up having had a very strange dream 

 

I speak from experience...true story.....ive found a smile and a little baht goes a long way in LOS......enjoy your coffee...

[ChakaKhan]

22 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

Why don't you ask your girlfriend to install one of the many free video-chat apps on her mobile phone.  E.g. LINE, WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger, etc. 

When both of you have installed same app on our mobile phone then you talk and even see each other for as long as you like at no cost, as you only need an internet connection.  So no SIM needed as you can use the Hotel WiFi for this.

I have noticed with LINE that it asked for my # to send me a code to verify account.....I have LINE..I was just offering up ideas if the OP was really wanting a SIM ....

[Salerno]

31 minutes ago, ChakaKhan said:

I speak from experience

 

I'm sure you do, and when did this mythical entry occur?

[ChakaKhan]

14 minutes ago, Salerno said:

 

I'm sure you do, and when did this mythical entry occur?

Wasnt speaking of a mythical entry...was speaking of the power of being friendly towards thais and asking a favor, and the cultural norm of gift giving on Asia......*please update your location, as I seem to be living in YOUR head"....

 

I think the act of the brown envelope in dealing with thai cops is just one of many examples in LOS......I offered an idea on how to obtain a SIM at swampy....worse case is they say no..

 

Maybe switch to decaf  ???? and heres some reading material as you stew and work up another response..

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2167726/thai-immigration-officials-demoted-taking-bribes-fast-track

 

 

Edited February 6, 2021 by ChakaKhan

[Salerno]

So basically posting BS as usual. Thanks for the confirmation   <---- triple shot espresso.

[ChakaKhan]

8 minutes ago, Salerno said:

So basically posting BS as usual. Thanks for the confirmation   <---- triple shot espresso.

And yet...here you are...dont forget to click "subscribe"....the bitterness of your espresso says it all... ????

[cookai]

So digital SIM cards are a thing now.   Just google DTAC Tourist eSIM and buy your Thai SIM online if you have a device with eSIM support.