The two seem to be the biggest networks. I was originally looking at an 8 day option that DTAC provided through Airalo but that option disappeared within the last month. Since I'm only staying a week what are the best options? I'm open to getting an eSIM before landing or at the airport. 

Also if I already have line account registered to my home country number do I need to remove Line to logout and then create a new Line account with the Thai number to make it work seamlessly? 

For 8 days it doesn’t matter if  it’s AIS or DTAC , you are just in pattaya and the coverage is fine in the city.   Just get an eSIM it will save you time and money.

and yes,  if you want full line features you will need to add your  new Thai #..   but for 8 days may not be worth it.    Most girls will send QR codes or WhatsApp these days anyways.  

So for someone staying longer term (like a month or two), does it make more of a difference which one you pick? I went with AIS at the airport but wondering if I should have looked at DTAC more carefully. Are there better deals if you're here for longer rather than the tourist packages?

41 minutes ago, Jones1238 said:

So for someone staying longer term (like a month or two), does it make more of a difference which one you pick? I went with AIS at the airport but wondering if I should have looked at DTAC more carefully. Are there better deals if you're here for longer rather than the tourist packages?

I think it depends on where you are going within the Kingdom. 

I’ve been with AIS for over ten years now and when I was making my choice I was/am concerned with reliability and coverage; while both DTAC and AIS were reliable, AIS at the time had much better coverage in rural and outlying areas.  Perhaps things have changed a bit now,  but I've never had any issues with AIS, so I stick with that.  Cannot really comment on the pricing as I go with what is reasonably affordable to me and don’t spend much time looking for the lower pricing.  Very easy to manage with the AID app and when I replaced my iPhone a quick email provided me a QR code to reinstall the eSIM.  Until they fuck up my service, I’m quite happy and see no reason to switch. 

Thanks for the detailed info! That makes sense - I'm mostly staying in Pattaya so probably won't need the rural coverage, but good to know AIS has better coverage in outlying areas. The eSIM QR code thing sounds convenient, I should look into that.

Quick question - you mentioned the AIS app is easy to manage. Can you top up packages directly through the app or do you need to go to a shop? I got my tourist package at the airport but once that runs out I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to keep it going without having to track down an AIS store every time.

6 minutes ago, Jones1238 said:

I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to keep it going without having to track down an AIS store every time.

just go to a 7eleven

Same same ish. I have both. Dtac had some problems after the merger with true which is why I rely more on ais now. 

2 hours ago, Jones1238 said:

Quick question - you mentioned the AIS app is easy to manage. Can you top up packages directly through the app or do you need to go to a shop? I got my tourist package at the airport but once that runs out I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to keep it going without having to track down an AIS store every time.

Yes, very easy to manage, can top and change your contract from a tourist to another option, lots of choices in the app.