Tried a local SIM in Chiang Mai instead of my usual global plan

I bought a 30-day AIS tourist SIM for about 15 bucks at the airport. My video calls were way clearer and I saved over $60 compared to my old roaming fees. Has anyone found a good SIM deal in other parts of Southeast Asia?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenix8452mo agoTop Commenter

That AIS SIM is a total game changer. I see this same thing with my friends who travel, they cling to their home carrier out of fear. The local networks are just built better for the area, so of course your video calls clear up. It's like paying a premium for a fuzzy long distance signal when a clean local line is right there. I got a similar deal with a 7-day SIM in Vietnam for maybe five bucks, data was flawless the whole time. The big companies bank on our laziness, but a quick stop at a kiosk saves a fortune.

lucas1592mo ago

Except my home plan already includes roaming for less hassle.

phoenix8451mo agoTop Commenter

Hold up, is swapping a SIM card really that big of a deal? For a short trip, the hassle just isn't worth it to me. I get what you're saying about better local service, but like @lucas159 hinted, sometimes paying a bit more for convenience is the whole point. Most trips I'm not making enough video calls to even notice the quality difference. It feels like one of those things people make a huge deal about online, but in real life it's just a minor choice.