eSim App

[Lefty6262]

I'm curious if anyone has used the AIS (myAIS) app to buy/activate an esim card upon arrival in Thailand.  I hear a lot of good recommendations about the Airalo app but I'm looking for feedback on the AIS (myAIS) app. Thank you.  

[ronthebrummie]

I’ve got one on my iPhone had it downloaded at AIS in big C, works a treat

[Mally69]

2 hours ago, Lefty6262 said:

I'm curious if anyone has used the AIS (myAIS) app to buy/activate an esim card upon arrival in Thailand.  I hear a lot of good recommendations about the Airalo app but I'm looking for feedback on the AIS (myAIS) app. Thank you.  

I had an E-sim in my iPhone in the UK, but had an actual sim for Thailand. Last year when I arrived, I went to AIS in Central Festival and they changed my Thai sim for an E-Sim (same number as well, I believe). Now on arrival I change my E-sims around (activate Thai Sim and make it my primary carrier) through my settings. I didn't need the AIS app to do it. However, I have since downloaded the AIS App which is useful for adding credit to my plan and seeing the balance and expiry date. 

Personally, if this is your first time setting up a Thai E-sim, I would consider just going to the AIS store and getting them to sort it all out for you, rather than trying to understand a new app and any other hoops the system might cause you to jump through. Once it's done, it's done and no more stress 👍 - They're pretty good.

[Downandup]

I bought an esim from the AIS website, downloaded the file and installed on my phone.  That happened before installing the app.

I then installed the AIS app and registered an account, that was not so easy at they required a photo of my passport and a selfie.  I've used it to top up after I left Thailand and will do it again next week to keep the sim active.  When I arrive in Bangkok I will purchase an internet plan for 180THB that will last for 15 days.

AIS has a lot of top ups for a tourist sim, I have to be careful on what I choose but all I really need is 16 days internet, as long as 512bps is fast enough then I will be happy, if I need faster speeds then I have to buy other top ups that last 1/2/3/7 days.

The biggest annoyance was adding credit.  I wanted to using Line Pay (Its available with my Thai sim) but could not set that up, so I tried to pay with my HSBC global card which was rejected.  So I ended up paying with my HSBC debit card.

That did not go well as I needed the AIS app open to make the charge and the HSBC app open to approve the charge at the same time.  And neither app would work in split screen.  Luckily I had kept an old phone as a backup when I upgraded so I opened the HSBC app there to approve the payment.

 

Edited February 27, 2025 by Downandup

[DLN]

I dont have experience with AIS esim and its app. But I always use esims when I go to Thailand. For that I mainly use GlobalYO and Saily. First I compare on esimdb.com the best package that fits my needs, especially when I plan to visit nearby countries as well. They have local and regional plans. Activate the esim on arrival at the airport (using wifi).

[Lefty6262]

On 26/02/2025 at 23:38, Mally69 said:

I had an E-sim in my iPhone in the UK, but had an actual sim for Thailand. Last year when I arrived, I went to AIS in Central Festival and they changed my Thai sim for an E-Sim (same number as well, I believe). Now on arrival I change my E-sims around (activate Thai Sim and make it my primary carrier) through my settings. I didn't need the AIS app to do it. However, I have since downloaded the AIS App which is useful for adding credit to my plan and seeing the balance and expiry date. 

Personally, if this is your first time setting up a Thai E-sim, I would consider just going to the AIS store and getting them to sort it all out for you, rather than trying to understand a new app and any other hoops the system might cause you to jump through. Once it's done, it's done and no more stress 👍 - They're pretty good.

The AIS shop in Central Festival is awesome. They have always been able to help me.

[Lefty6262]

On 27/02/2025 at 00:48, Downandup said:

I bought an esim from the AIS website, downloaded the file and installed on my phone.  That happened before installing the app.

I then installed the AIS app and registered an account, that was not so easy at they required a photo of my passport and a selfie.  I've used it to top up after I left Thailand and will do it again next week to keep the sim active.  When I arrive in Bangkok I will purchase an internet plan for 180THB that will last for 15 days.

AIS has a lot of top ups for a tourist sim, I have to be careful on what I choose but all I really need is 16 days internet, as long as 512bps is fast enough then I will be happy, if I need faster speeds then I have to buy other top ups that last 1/2/3/7 days.

The biggest annoyance was adding credit.  I wanted to using Line Pay (Its available with my Thai sim) but could not set that up, so I tried to pay with my HSBC global card which was rejected.  So I ended up paying with my HSBC debit card.

That did not go well as I needed the AIS app open to make the charge and the HSBC app open to approve the charge at the same time.  And neither app would work in split screen.  Luckily I had kept an old phone as a backup when I upgraded so I opened the HSBC app there to approve the payment.

 

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a challenge but I'm glad you were able to get everything working.

[Lefty6262]

On 27/02/2025 at 01:33, DLN said:

I dont have experience with AIS esim and its app. But I always use esims when I go to Thailand. For that I mainly use GlobalYO and Saily. First I compare on esimdb.com the best package that fits my needs, especially when I plan to visit nearby countries as well. They have local and regional plans. Activate the esim on arrival at the airport (using wifi).

Thanks for the info. I checked out the website. It seems prices are a bit cheaper than purchase an esim in Thailand.