Thailand SIM Card Recharge: How to Top Up AIS, dtac, and TrueMove in 2026
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-23
Your Thai SIM worked great for the first week, and now it’s about to die. This guide covers every working way to top up AIS, dtac, and TrueMove in 2026: the 7-Eleven counter, the MyAIS / dtac / TrueMove apps, refill cards, TrueMoney, and the PIN codes that work. No fluff, no marketing spin. For related planning, see our guides on Sea Backpacking Hub and Airtel International Roaming Thailand Plans Review.
The first thing to know: a top-up and a data pack are two different things. Topping up adds credit to your balance. Data packs (the ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) tourist SIM, for example, includes ~15GB) are separate products you activate with USSD codes or in the app. If you only topped up and your data still cut off, you bought credit but didn’t buy data. You may also find Buying a Sim Card At Don Mueang Airport Prices Operators What to Skip useful for this trip.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest way to top up | 7-Eleven counter, cash | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) minimum |
| Best for data packs | MyAIS / dtac / TrueMove app | Free (data itself: ₹283-₹1,141 (~99-399 THB or ~$2.94-$11.84)) |
| Online top-up (no Thai bank) | TrueMoney wallet | ₹143-₹1,429 (~50-500 THB or ~$1.48-$14.84) |
| Validity extension | Buy a “happy” data+voice combo | ₹569-₹1,141 (~199-399 THB or ~$5.91-$11.84) |
| eSIM alternative (skip SIM entirely) | Nomad eSIM, AirAsia Super App | from ₹712 (~249 THB or ~$7.39) |
Why Your SIM “Ran Out” (and How Recharge Works)
Three things run out independently on a Thai tourist SIM:
- Data allowance (the 15GB tourist pack, or whatever you bought)
- Active days (the 8-day / 15-day validity window on your plan)
- Main balance (the credit you use for calls and SMS, separate from data) See also: Dtac Thailand Sim Card for Indian Travelers Plans Prices Where to Buy.
The most common confusion: travellers think they need to “recharge more data” when they need a new package, because topping up balance doesn’t refill data. If you have credit but no data, your issue is package expiry, not balance.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Before recharging anything, dial the operator’s balance check code: AIS is *121#, dtac is *101#, TrueMove is *123#. You’ll get an SMS showing your balance, your remaining data, and your package expiry date. That tells you exactly what’s empty.
AIS Recharge: Top-Up Methods That Work
AIS runs three networks: AIS, AIS 5G, and the now-retired 3G. If you bought the ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) tourist SIM at the airport or 7-Eleven, you’re on AIS.
AIS Top-Up Methods
| Method | How | Min top-up | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven / FamilyMart counter | Hand cash to staff, say “top up AIS 100 baht”, they punch it in | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Cash travellers, no Thai bank needed |
| MyAIS app | Register with SIM number, pay with credit/debit card | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Most flexible, also buys data packs |
| Refill card (scratch card) | Buy at 7-Eleven, scratch, dial 120 | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | When phone is offline |
| TrueMoney wallet | Top up via app, transfer credit to AIS number | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | If you already use TrueMoney |
| Online banking (Thai banks only) | Via SCB, KBank, Bangkok Bank apps | 1 THB | Long-stay travellers with a Thai account |
| ATM | Some ATMs allow mobile top-up via card slot menu | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Last resort |
AIS Recharge PIN Codes (USSD)
After topping up balance, you spend it with these codes:
| Code | What it does | Cost (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | Redeem refill card PIN | (card value) |
| *121# | Check balance, data, validity | Free |
| 1211# | Buy 1-day data add-on (3GB) | ₹100 (~35 THB or ~$1.04) |
| 1212# | Buy 3-day data add-on (10GB) | ₹283 (~99 THB or ~$2.94) |
| 1213# | Buy 7-day data add-on (15GB) | ₹569 (~199 THB or ~$5.91) |
| 1214# | Buy 15-day data add-on (30GB) | ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) |
| *777# | Buy “happy” combo (data + voice + days) | ₹569-₹1,141 (~199-399 THB or ~$5.91-$11.84) |
If USSD codes don’t work, the MyAIS app is more reliable and shows exactly what’s available for your SIM. The 2026 tourist SIM refreshes the original ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) package for the same price via 1214#.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Don’t top up a tiny amount (50 THB) and expect it to last. AIS tourist SIMs convert your credit into data at roughly 1 THB per 1 MB once the package expires, so 50 THB is gone in a few Google Maps loads. Buy a data package, not just credit.
dtac Recharge: Top-Up Methods That Work
Dtac prepaid runs on the same scratch-card system as AIS but with slightly different codes and a slicker app.
dtac Top-Up Methods
| Method | How | Min top-up | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven counter | ”Top up dtac 100 baht”, staff punches it | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Most reliable, all hours |
| dtac app | Register with phone number, pay by card | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Best UX, English-friendly |
| Refill card (12-digit PIN) | Buy at 7-Eleven, scratch, dial 100 | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Offline backup |
| TrueMoney | Transfer from TrueMoney wallet to dtac | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | If you use TrueMoney |
| Online banking (Thai banks) | SCB, KBank, Bangkok Bank apps | 1 THB | Long-stay |
dtac Recharge PIN Codes
| Code | What it does | Cost (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | Redeem refill card PIN | (card value) |
| *101# | Check balance, data, validity | Free |
| 1011# | Buy 1-day data add-on (2GB) | ₹83 (~29 THB or ~$0.86) |
| 1012# | Buy 3-day data add-on (8GB) | ₹226 (~79 THB or ~$2.34) |
| 1013# | Buy 7-day data add-on (15GB) | ₹455 (~159 THB or ~$4.72) |
| 1014# | Buy 15-day data add-on (30GB) | ₹941 (~329 THB or ~$9.76) |
| *600# | “happy net” combos with voice + days | ₹569-₹1,141 (~199-399 THB or ~$5.91-$11.84) |
Dtac’s data add-ons are usually a touch cheaper than AIS for the same volume, but coverage is slightly weaker in rural northern Thailand. For Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi, dtac works fine.
TrueMove Recharge: Top-Up Methods
TrueMove H (the post-merger brand) is the third major carrier. The refill system is the most fragmented but TrueMoney integration is the smoothest.
TrueMove Top-Up Methods
| Method | How | Min top-up | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven counter | ”Top up TrueMove 100 baht” | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Cash |
| TrueMove H app | Register with phone number, card payment | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | English interface |
| Refill card (14-digit PIN) | Dial 123 | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Offline backup |
| TrueMoney wallet | Add to TrueMoney, then “Top up mobile” | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Best integration |
| Online banking | SCB, KBank, Bangkok Bank | 1 THB | Long-stay |
TrueMove Recharge PIN Codes
| Code | What it does | Cost (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| 123 | Redeem refill card PIN | (card value) |
| *123# | Check balance, data, validity | Free |
| 1231# | Buy 1-day data add-on (3GB) | ₹100 (~35 THB or ~$1.04) |
| 1232# | Buy 3-day data add-on (10GB) | ₹254 (~89 THB or ~$2.64) |
| 1233# | Buy 7-day data add-on (15GB) | ₹540 (~189 THB or ~$5.61) |
| 1234# | Buy 15-day data add-on (30GB) | ₹998 (~349 THB or ~$10.36) |
| *900# | “happy” data + voice + days combos | ₹569-₹1,141 (~199-399 THB or ~$5.91-$11.84) |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: TrueMove and TrueMoney are owned by the same parent company (CP Group), so transfers between TrueMoney and a TrueMove SIM are instant and fee-free. If you’re topping up multiple times on a long trip, set up TrueMoney once and use it for everything from tuk-tuks to 7-Eleven to mobile credit.
The 7-Eleven Method: Step by Step
This works at every 7-Eleven in Thailand, 24/7, with no Thai bank account, no app, and no Thai phone number. It’s the fallback for everything.
- Walk in. Go to the counter, not the self-checkout.
- Say “top up [operator] [amount]”. For example: “top up AIS 100 baht”.
- Hand over the cash. Minimum ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48), increments of 50.
- The staff will ask for your mobile number (10 digits, no leading zero). Read it off the SIM card or your phone’s settings.
- They swipe a staff card, type in the number, confirm.
- You get an SMS confirmation within 10 seconds saying “Top-up successful, balance X THB”.
- Check your balance by dialing your operator’s check code (*121# / *101# / *123#).
Total time: under 2 minutes. Total cost: exactly what you handed over, no service fee.
Safety Alert: At Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, the AIS / dtac / TrueMove airport counters charge a small premium over 7-Eleven rates. If you’ve just landed and need data right now, the airport counter is fine. If you can wait 20 minutes, the 7-Eleven inside the airport terminal or just outside arrivals is cheaper.
App-Based Top-Up: When It Works and When It Doesn’t
Each operator has a smartphone app that lets you buy data packs and top up balance by credit/debit card.
| App | App store name | What it does well | What fails |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyAIS | ”MyAIS” | Buy data packs, view usage, English UI | Card declines on some Indian Visa/Mastercards |
| dtac app | ”dtac” | Best UX, clear data expiry | Same card issue |
| TrueMove H | ”TrueMove H” | TrueMoney integration | Same card issue |
The honest truth: Indian debit cards from SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and Axis frequently fail on these apps because they require 3D Secure verification through a Thai payment gateway that doesn’t recognize Indian-issued cards. Credit cards work more often than debit cards. PayPal works in the dtac and TrueMove apps but charges a 3% FX fee.
If your Indian card gets declined, the cleanest workaround is to top up TrueMoney via PayPal (works), then transfer from TrueMoney to your SIM balance. This costs a small TrueMoney fee (around 1%) but is reliable.
If you’d rather skip the SIM dance altogether, Get Nomad eSIM works before you fly, activates on landing, and you top it up from the same app.
Refill Cards (Scratch Cards): The Offline Backup
Refill cards are still sold at every 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and most minimarts. They’re your lifeline when:
- You have no data and can’t load the app
- Your card got declined
- You’re in a rural area with no signal
The card is a piece of cardboard the size of a credit card, with a silver scratch panel on the back. You scratch it, reveal a 12-digit (AIS) or 14-digit (dtac / TrueMove) PIN, then dial the operator’s PIN-redeem code. It adds the card value to your balance instantly.
Cost: same as cash top-up (₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48), ₹286 (~100 THB or ~$2.97), ₹858 (~300 THB or ~$8.90), ₹1,429 (~500 THB or ~$14.84), ₹2,859 (~1,000 THB or ~$29.68)). The store charges you face value, no markup.
Topping Up Someone Else’s SIM
You can top up another traveller’s number if they run out of credit. At 7-Eleven, just give their 10-digit number. In the apps, the “transfer balance” feature works for any number on the same network.
For cross-network transfers:
- AIS to dtac: not direct, but you can top up a dtac TrueMoney wallet and they withdraw
- dtac to TrueMove: same, via TrueMoney
- TrueMove to AIS: same, via TrueMoney
TrueMoney is the hub. Set it up once and you can move credit between any of the three operators.
Recharging Outside Bangkok: What Changes
In Bangkok, every method above works 24/7. In smaller cities and islands, the picture changes:
- Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui: 7-Eleven everywhere, all methods work, MyAIS / dtac apps work fine
- Koh Phangan, Koh Tao: 7-Eleven exists in main towns only, signal is patchy on beaches, download MyAIS / dtac apps offline in advance
- Pai, Kanchanaburi, rural Chiang Rai: 7-Eleven available in town, refill cards sold at most minimarts, app top-up works if you have signal
- Mountain / jungle areas: signal drops to 3G or 2G, apps may not load, refill cards are your only option, buy before you leave town
If you’re doing a multi-stop island trip, top up at the start of each island before you leave the ferry terminal. Ferry waiting areas usually have a 7-Eleven within 100 metres.
Best Recharge Strategy by Trip Length
| Trip length | Best strategy |
|---|---|
| 3-5 days | Buy the ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) tourist SIM at airport, no recharge needed |
| 7-10 days | Same ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) SIM, may need a 1212# / 1012# / 1232# ₹283 (~99 THB or ~$2.94) add-on at the end |
| 14-21 days | Same ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) SIM plus one ₹283-₹569 (~99-199 THB or ~$2.94-$5.91) top-up mid-trip, or buy the 15-day refresh 1214# |
| 30 days | Buy ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) tourist SIM, then 1214# (₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84)) for 30GB more, total ~₹2,287 (~800 THB or ~$23.74) for the month |
| 60 days | Three 15-day refresh packages (~1200 THB), or switch to a local AIS / dtac long-stay plan at a branch |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: The ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) tourist SIM refreshes at the same price via USSD code 1214# (AIS), 1014# (dtac), or 1234# (TrueMove). For Indian travellers doing the standard Thailand loop (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, islands, 14-21 days), the cheapest strategy is one tourist SIM plus one mid-trip USSD refresh. Total cost: about ₹2,287 (~800 THB or ~$23.74) for 21 days of unlimited-ish data.
Common Recharge Mistakes Indians Make
-
Topping up ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) instead of buying a data pack. Top-up adds credit to your balance. Without a data package, that credit burns at 1 THB per MB. 50 THB disappears in 5 minutes of Google Maps.
-
Forgetting to enter the refill PIN before it expires. Refill cards don’t expire, but if you mis-dial the PIN three times, the card is locked. Don’t keep retrying if it fails; ask the 7-Eleven staff for help.
-
Buying a tourist SIM, then topping up with a Thai resident’s credit. Tourist SIMs and resident SIMs are different products. The top-up works but the data add-on codes (1214#, etc.) are tuned for tourist packages. If you’re on a resident SIM, use the *777# / *600# / *900# combo codes instead.
-
Trying to top up before activating the SIM. The first top-up must happen at the airport counter or 7-Eleven at the point of sale. After that, apps and refill cards work.
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Recharging the wrong number. Read the 10-digit number off the SIM card sleeve, not off your phone screen. If you’ve already swapped the SIM into your phone, dial *887# (AIS) or check Settings > About > Phone number to confirm.
-
Using USSD codes while roaming on a VoLTE call. Codes sometimes fail mid-call. Hang up, redial the code, it works.
TDAC and the Recharge Question
TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) has nothing to do with SIM recharging. It’s the immigration arrival form at tdac.immigration.go.th, mandatory for every entry type. Submit it before you fly, save the QR, present at immigration. Recharging your SIM doesn’t change your TDAC status.
Visa-free entry for Indians is 60 days. If you’re staying longer, you’ll re-enter the country before day 60, and a TDAC is required each entry. The 60 days doesn’t pause when you recharge.
Keeping Your SIM Active Across Borders
If you’re doing the Thailand-Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia loop (the Thailand packing list covers what to bring), your Thai SIM goes dead within a few hours of crossing into Laos. It doesn’t auto-roam, doesn’t get suspended, just stops working.
When you come back to Thailand (re-entering at Chiang Khong / Huay Xai border, for example), your old SIM still works if:
- It’s within the 60-day visa-free window
- It hasn’t been 90+ days since last use
- You register it again at a 7-Eleven counter (“re-activate”)
Most travellers just buy a new ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) SIM on re-entry. It’s cheaper than the activation fee.
Cost Summary
| Recharge type | Cost (THB) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven cash top-up (minimum) | ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) | Adding balance only |
| 7-Eleven cash top-up (typical) | ₹286-₹572 (~100-200 THB or ~$2.97-$5.94) | Covering a missed data add-on |
| 1-day data add-on | ₹83-₹100 (~29-35 THB or ~$0.86-$1.04) | Last-mile data |
| 3-day data add-on | ₹226-₹283 (~79-99 THB or ~$2.34-$2.94) | Short top-up |
| 7-day data add-on | ₹455-₹569 (~159-199 THB or ~$4.72-$5.91) | Mid-trip refresh |
| 15-day data add-on / refresh | ₹941-₹1,141 (~329-399 THB or ~$9.76-$11.84) | Full trip refresh |
| Refill card (no markup) | ₹143-₹2,859 (~50-1,000 THB or ~$1.48-$29.68) | Offline backup |
| TrueMoney top-up (cross-network) | 50+ THB | Flexibility |
| Airport counter top-up | 50+ THB (slight markup) | Last resort |
At current rates (1 THB ≈ ₹2.87), the standard 399 THB 15-day tourist SIM works out to roughly ₹1,145 (~$11.89). A mid-trip ₹569 (~199 THB or ~$5.91) 7-day top-up is about ₹571 (~$5.93).
FAQ
Q: My data just cut off mid-trip. Do I top up balance or buy a data pack? A: Buy a data pack. Balance and data are separate. Dial 1212# (AIS), 1012# (dtac), or 1232# (TrueMove) for a 3-day add-on at ₹283 (~99 THB or ~$2.94).
Q: Can I top up with an Indian debit card? A: Sometimes. Indian Visa/Mastercard credit cards work more often than debit. If both fail, use PayPal in the dtac or TrueMove app, then transfer to TrueMoney, then top up your SIM. Or just walk into 7-Eleven with cash.
Q: Does my SIM work when I cross into Laos or Cambodia? A: No. Thai tourist SIMs don’t roam into neighbouring countries. Your SIM goes dead within hours of crossing. Buy a new SIM on the Laos side.
Q: What’s the difference between topping up and recharging? A: Nothing. Same word, same action. “Top up” is the English the apps use; “recharge” is what 7-Eleven staff will understand.
Q: Is there a way to top up without leaving my hostel? A: Yes, the MyAIS / dtac / TrueMove apps work over Wi-Fi. Top up with a credit card, buy a data pack, the SIM gets credited in seconds. As long as you have Wi-Fi, you don’t need mobile signal.
Q: Will my SIM still work if I come back to Thailand after a week in Laos? A: If you’re within the 60-day visa-free window and your SIM hasn’t been deactivated for inactivity (90+ days), yes. Just register it again at a 7-Eleven counter. Most travellers just buy a fresh tourist SIM.
Q: Can I get a refund on unused balance? A: Practically, no. Tourist SIMs are non-refundable. Balance carries forward if the SIM is active, but there’s no cash-out option at the end of your trip. Use it or lose it.
Q: What if my refill card PIN doesn’t work? A: Three failed attempts locks the card. Don’t keep trying. Take the card back to the 7-Eleven you bought it from with your passport, and they’ll reissue or refund. This is rare but it happens with scratched-but-illegible cards.
Subodh’s Take
The recharge system in Thailand isn’t complicated, but the apps make it feel complicated by hiding USSD codes behind three login screens. The fastest path: buy the ₹1,141 (~399 THB or ~$11.84) tourist SIM at the airport, use it until it dies, then walk into the nearest 7-Eleven and ask for a ₹569 (~199 THB or ~$5.91) top-up. They’ll ask your number, swipe, done. You walk out with another week of data. No apps, no cards, no PIN codes. If you’re doing a 14-21 day trip, do that once mid-trip and you’re sorted.
