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Original poster

Physical SIM experiences for Thailand & Vietnam

11 replies

shuggaplum · 21/06/2025 10:10

DC is researching phone SIM options for a 40 day trip to Thailand & Vietnam. His phone is not compatible with an eSIM. A local physical SIM would be cheapest, but as he'll be arriving in Bangkok in the evening, and needing to get a bus and find his hostel, he doesn't want the inconvenience of also hunting around for a SIM on arrival. Is it fair to assume they will not necessarily be good value in the airport shops?

If you pre-bought a physical travel SIM for a similar trip, which did you choose, and were you pleased with it?

OP posts:
notacooldad · 21/06/2025 10:13

Would it be possible for him to rent a pocket wifi to be reserved and picked up at the airport.

Original poster
shuggaplum · 21/06/2025 10:17

notacooldad · 21/06/2025 10:13

Would it be possible for him to rent a pocket wifi to be reserved and picked up at the airport.

I haven't heard of this option. Is it something you have used? What was your experience?

OP posts:
Ilovemychocolate · 21/06/2025 10:23

My dd bought her sim in a 7-11 shop, they sell them in there, lots of them around too.

Ilovemychocolate · 21/06/2025 10:25

Also I’d advise him to get a taxi to his hostel until he gets his bearings, I seen to remember it’s Lyft in Thailand?
Very cheap and worth it after such a long flight, he will be exhausted.

notacooldad · 21/06/2025 10:31

We used a pocket wifi in Japan. If you Google it and put in where you want to pick it from it is ready for you when you get there and you hand it back in. It is about the size of a hockey puck and light. You just take it with you and you are connected to the Internet.
It was a cheap option.
However im suprised the phone won't take an e sim as they are super convenient to use.

Original poster
shuggaplum · 23/06/2025 06:53

Thanks for the replies. After a bit of research we've realised he can take a second phone with him (one of our old ones), put a local SIM in it, and use that as a mobile hotspot for his home phone. This seems like the best option as far as I can tell.

OP posts:
dinhoecotour · 26/06/2025 03:01

shuggaplum · 23/06/2025 06:53

Thanks for the replies. After a bit of research we've realised he can take a second phone with him (one of our old ones), put a local SIM in it, and use that as a mobile hotspot for his home phone. This seems like the best option as far as I can tell.

As for Vietnam, use Viettel sim (Easy to get it at the airport).

LoudSnoringDog · 26/06/2025 05:55

You can’t miss SIM stalls in BKK airport

macrowave · 26/06/2025 06:02

Ilovemychocolate · 21/06/2025 10:25

Also I’d advise him to get a taxi to his hostel until he gets his bearings, I seen to remember it’s Lyft in Thailand?
Very cheap and worth it after such a long flight, he will be exhausted.

Grab not Lyft, same in Vietnam.

Needanadultgapyear · 26/06/2025 06:12

LoudSnoringDog · 26/06/2025 05:55

You can’t miss SIM stalls in BKK airport

This there is no hunting for physical Sims they are the first thing you see when you enter the arrivals halls. I wouldn’t bother with a second phone I would just buy a sim on arrival it took less than 5 mins when I did it.
The sim guy did all the fiddling with my phone put my sim in a safe place for me and I was good to go.
he should also download the grab app before he gets there. Grab taxis are very cheap and he can rebook from the airport which will also help him get to his hostel.

Jobwelldone · 26/06/2025 06:54

Ds said it’s super easy to get a sim at the airport & they’ll put it in your phone and set it up.

Alternatively, pretty sure you can order one from Amazon in the UK.

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