Thailand Introduces New SIM Card Rules for Tourists

Buying a SIM card in Thailand just got a lot more secure, thanks to new rules rolled out across the country. The shift comes as part of a push to protect locals and visitors from scams that have grown more common over the past year.

Starting August 2025, everyone—whether a resident, expat, or tourist—needs to verify their identity in person or via official apps using facial recognition tech when getting a new SIM Card or swapping an old one.

The process might take a few extra minutes, but it’s designed to cut down on fraud and make mobile use safer for everyone.

Proof of ID, like a passport for foreigners or a national ID for Thai citizens, is now a must. These changes aim to build stronger digital trust and peace of mind for anyone looking to stay connected while in Thailand.

Key Changes in SIM Card Regulations

Thailand has introduced a set of modern SIM card rules, making the process of buying or swapping SIMs both safer and more reliable for everyone.

These changes target the root of SIM-swapping scams, which have affected both locals and tourists in recent years. With the new steps in place, every mobile user in Thailand will go through extra checks to protect against scams and identity theft.

Biometric Liveness Detection: A New Security Standard

The biggest shift comes in the form of biometric checks, known as liveness detection. Before, criminals could use photos or videos to trick the system into approving fake identities. The new rule requires real-time facial recognition, which confirms a person's true presence and cannot be fooled by printed faces or recordings. This works a lot like advanced banking apps, but now it is a must for every new SIM purchase or when replacing an old one.

Thailand’s regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), has rolled out this measure for all telecommunication operators. Telecom shops, authorised dealers, and even airport counters must now follow this process when serving customers.

The technology checks for movement, depth, and prompt reaction, ensuring the person registering is real and present. For more on the background behind this tech rollout, visit Thailand mandates biometric liveness detection for SIM registration.

In-Person ID Checks for All Subscribers

Every SIM registration now requires a face-to-face check, either at a physical store or via secure mobile applications. Original documents are necessary, such as a national ID card for Thai citizens or a passport for foreign visitors.

Copies or photos are no longer accepted. Service staff focus on matching the document details with the biometric scan, making the process a double lock against fraud.

The move applies across the board:

Thai nationals: Must show a valid national ID card.

Foreigners: Need to present an original passport.

Businesses: Have to bring a company certificate, with proof of authority from an approved representative.

Mobile operators also have to protect your personal information under Thai privacy regulations. For additional information on how these checks work, see Mobile phone operators to adopt new technology for SIM registration.

What it Means for Locals and Visitors

The new requirements come with practical impacts for everyone:

Longer registration time: Expect SIM activation to take a few minutes more since staff confirm both your ID and live facial scan.

Increased data privacy: Operators must handle all personal data responsibly and stay within Thailand’s data protection laws.

Tighter fraud prevention: With real-time checks and document verification, criminals have a much harder time slipping through the cracks.

Everyone who wants to stay connected—whether just off a flight, on a visa run, or a long-term resident—will need to go through this process each time they purchase or swap a SIM card.

These extra checks are now the new normal for anyone looking to get a mobile number in Thailand, bringing an added layer of protection and peace of mind to all.

For more on the wider push for digital security, see how these rules fit within Thailand’s broader efforts to secure identification, like at airports, at Thailand Prepares Biometric Identification System Expansion.

Combating Fraud and Cybercrime: The Motivation Behind the Move

Thai authorities have started to clamp down on mobile fraud and organised cybercrime. This effort is a direct answer to years of rising scam activity, much of it fuelled by easy access to unregistered or bulk-purchased SIM cards.

With scam call numbers nearly doubling in just one year, officials saw a clear need to break the cycle of misuse that put locals and visitors at serious risk.

Central to this campaign is the push to close the loopholes criminals have used, especially near Thailand’s borders, and to create real accountability for every mobile number in circulation.

Bulk SIM Purchases and Criminal Activity

The unchecked sale of SIM cards in bulk has played a huge part in Thailand’s scam troubles. In the past, people could walk into a shop and buy string after string of SIM cards with little oversight.

Organised crime rings latched onto this weak spot, snapping up thousands of numbers at a time, often without anyone verifying identities. These SIM cards became tools for anonymous scam calls, mass messaging, phishing, and even cross-border fraud operations.

Border areas, such as those near Myanmar and Cambodia, saw a flood of foreign SIM cards. Criminal groups used these to dodge Thai oversight, allowing scams and illegal gambling to go undetected by local authorities.

According to news coverage, law enforcement struggled to act quickly when faced with unregistered or “clean” numbers that shifted hands or locations without a trace. In some raids, police seized hundreds of thousands of SIM cards, often from hidden SIM boxes used to automate scam calls or mask phone origins.

To address the problem, Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has started a phased and tough enforcement approach. Key elements include:

Strict verification for new SIM registrations: Anyone buying a SIM—whether resident, tourist, or business—now faces ID checks using both documents and live facial scans.

Limits on bulk SIM card buying: The days of picking up stacks of SIMs are over. Dealers and operators must log every card and stick to strict per-person limits, especially for non-Thais.

Controls at the borders: Foreign SIM cards and unregistered numbers face tighter scrutiny, with special caps and short-term validity for tourist numbers (usually 60 days).

Fast response to suspicious use: Operators must track unusual call activity and suspend services within 24 hours when flagged. This includes any device using four or more registered cards at once.

Recent rules also target the back-end infrastructure: new regulations are in draft to prevent import and use of illegal SIM boxes that power mass-calling scams (see full report). Efforts have already led to dismantling scam centres and disrupting supply chains for fraudulent numbers.

These phased changes are part of a much larger crackdown, which includes real-time monitoring, rapid service suspension, and stronger cooperation with banks to report sudden SIM activations tied to possible fraud (read more on NBTC’s cybercrime push).

By targeting both the people buying in bulk and the technology aiding their schemes, Thai regulators hope to shut repeat offenders out of the system before more damage is done. As the crackdown continues, the rules will keep evolving so criminals are always one step behind the law.

How to Buy a SIM Card in Thailand Under the New Rules

Buying a SIM card in Thailand now comes with some new checks and simple steps to follow. Both locals and foreign visitors will encounter these rules, designed to stop fraud and give everyone greater peace of mind while staying connected. Here is what travellers need to know about picking up a SIM or eSIM, and what to expect under the country’s new regulations.

Tourist SIM Card Options and eSIM Solutions

Travellers have plenty of ways to get connected in Thailand, but a few updates shape the process. Both physical SIM cards and eSIMs are now widely offered, giving tourists more freedom and reducing time spent at the counter.

Tourist SIM card types:

Prepaid Tourist SIMs: These are easy to find and perfect for short stays. They often come with generous data, local call time, and built-in international credit.

eSIMs: Ideal for travellers with newer smartphones, eSIMs can be activated without swapping a physical card. This saves space and makes setup quick for those who prefer a digital-first travel style.

Where to buy:

Airports: Major international airports like Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang have counters from top providers (AIS, DTAC, TrueMove H) located in arrival halls. Staff can help with setup and registration on the spot.

Convenience stores and malls: Outlets like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and major shopping centres sell SIM cards, but the new rules mean you will be guided through the same registration and ID checks as at the airport.

Official network stores: Service centres run by mobile operators offer extra help and are best for those needing more support.

Online or through apps: Many providers let tourists pre-order eSIMs before travel or activate them digitally once in Thailand, bringing flexibility and speed to the process. More on this can be found in guides like the Thailand SIM card guide.

Check compatibility: Before settling on an eSIM, make sure your device is eSIM-ready and unlocked. Most phones released in the past few years support this, but double-check your model with the provider. For standard SIMs, unlocked phones are required.

eSIMs are quickly growing in popularity among tech-savvy travellers, offering contactless setup that fits seamlessly into today’s digital habits. For a hands-on breakdown of options, visit this detailed SIM and eSIM guide for tourists.

What Travellers Need to Know

A few practical steps make buying a SIM in Thailand much easier under the new regulations.

Bring the right documents:

Tourists must show an original, valid passport at the point of sale. Photocopies, photos, or expired documents can no longer be accepted.

Thais use their national ID card, and business buyers also need company documentation.

Expect biometric registration: The shop staff will scan your ID, then use facial recognition technology (known as liveness detection) to match your face to your photo. It’s similar to what you see with banking apps and takes just a minute.

Where can you register a SIM Card?

At the airport: Most convenient for new arrivals.

Network provider shops: Best for in-depth help or longer-term plans.

Convenience stores: Handy for quick purchases, but staff must still follow the same checks.

Authorised dealers and partner outlets: Only buy from places listed as official to avoid issues with invalid SIMs.

Handy tips for a smooth purchase:

Make sure your phone is unlocked. Network-locked handsets from home countries may not accept Thai SIMs.

Have your device charged and ready, as staff might ask you to switch on the phone during setup.

Allow a little extra time for the biometric process and paperwork.

If using an eSIM, follow the carrier’s specific instructions or scan a QR code sent to your email.

For clear, step-by-step guidance tailored for tourists, check the latest recommendations on how to buy a SIM in Thailand.

Strict enforcement means skipping these steps is not an option. Shops must follow the rules closely, or risk heavy penalties. Everyone involved (staff and buyers) now plays a part in making mobile access safe for everyone in Thailand.