Trang town has fast, dependable connectivity; the Trang islands do not. Here is the practical guide: home fibre providers and pricing in town, mobile SIM coverage reaching Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai, prepaid vs postpaid, eSIM, and where to buy before you head out to the islands.
Trang is really two connectivity zones: a well-wired mainland town with fast 4G and inexpensive fibre, and a set of islands -- Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai -- with no fixed fibre at all, where resorts rely on satellite links and mobile signal. This guide covers the two things newcomers need: a home internet plan in town (AIS Fibre, True Online or 3BB) and a mobile SIM (AIS or True), including how prepaid and postpaid differ, when a tourist SIM makes sense, whether to use an eSIM, how reliable the connection is on the islands versus town, and exactly where to buy before you head out to the water.
Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) tightened SIM registration rules in 2026 to combat SIM-farming and phone scams. The changes affect anyone buying a new SIM in Trang, including long-stay expats and remote workers -- read this before your next SIM purchase or renewal.
As of 16 May 2026, Thailand's NBTC no longer allows fully remote SIM sign-ups for many users -- foreigners must complete registration in person at an operator branch or authorised dealer, with identity verified primarily via passport.
Non-Thai nationals are now limited to a maximum of three SIM cards per person, per service provider (AIS, True, etc.) -- tighter than before, aimed at curbing SIM-farming and phone-scam abuse.
Operators must build identity-verification systems with biometric, liveness-based checks and get NBTC approval before rollout -- expect counter staff to increasingly ask for a live photo alongside your passport, not just a photocopy.
Both Thai and foreign SIM users must activate a newly registered SIM within 60 days. Miss the window and you'll need to re-verify your identity in person before the SIM can be activated.
| Network | Coverage | Typical pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIS | Best coverage on the Trang islands and toward the ferry piers | 49-1,599 THB tourist SIMs; ~300-600 THB/mo long-stay data | Safe default if you're heading to Koh Mook, Koh Kradan or Koh Ngai |
| True (merged with dtac) | Strong in Trang town; True and dtac operate as one merged network | 49-1,199 THB tourist SIMs; competitive bundles with True Online fibre | Good value in town |
| 3BB | Fibre-only, no mobile SIM offering, Trang town only | Lower-cost fibre plans, budget-focused | Home internet value pick where your address is wired for it |
AIS Fibre is the safe default across Trang town, reaching most residential streets and condo buildings. Plans typically run from about 400-600 baht a month for 300-500 Mbps up to roughly 700-1,000+ baht for gigabit tiers, often bundled with AIS Play TV and a mesh router. English-language support is available, and installation on an already-wired street usually happens within a few days.
True Online is the other major fibre provider in Trang town, frequently bundled with TrueVisions TV and discounts on a True mobile SIM. Pricing sits close to AIS - roughly 400-900 baht a month depending on speed.
3BB (now under the AIS/3BB umbrella) is the budget-friendly, no-frills fibre option in Trang town, often undercutting the big two for a straightforward fast connection without a TV bundle. Always confirm which providers actually run a line to your specific address before choosing.
Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai have no residential fibre infrastructure -- resorts and guesthouses on the islands rely on satellite links or their own arranged connections, and quality varies considerably by property. If a stable wired connection matters, plan to base in Trang town rather than on the islands, and treat any island stay as mobile-data-first.
Thailand has effectively two major mobile network groups today: AIS (the largest, with the best coverage reaching out toward the ferry piers at Pak Meng and Kuantungku, and on the islands themselves) and True (which absorbed dtac in a 2023 merger, strong in Trang town). AIS is the safer default if you're travelling to or staying on Koh Mook, Koh Kradan or Koh Ngai, where mobile signal can be the only connectivity available.
Prepaid (top-up) SIMs are the easy starting point: buy one over the counter with your passport, add credit, and pick a data package - no contract, no credit check. Postpaid (monthly bill) plans can be cheaper per gigabyte for heavy users but require more paperwork - typically a passport plus proof of address or a long-stay visa, and sometimes a deposit for foreigners. Most newcomers to Trang start on prepaid.
Shops around Trang's bus terminal, train station and town centre sell 'Tourist SIM' packages - typically 8, 15 or 30 days of generous or unlimited data for a few hundred baht. Convenient for a first week, especially before heading out to the islands, but poor value across a multi-month stay. For a long stay, buy a standard prepaid SIM in town and attach a monthly data package (often 300-600 baht for large or unlimited data).
AIS and True both support eSIM on compatible phones, activated in-store by scanning a QR code. Many arrivals reach Trang via its airport (TST) or overland from Krabi and Hat Yai before continuing to the islands, so an international travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly and similar) lets you land already connected. For a longer stay, a local physical or eSIM plan from a Thai operator is cheaper.
Trang town has solid connectivity: 4G is fast and consistent, and fibre-to-the-condo comfortably handles video calls and streaming. The picture changes completely on the islands -- Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai rely on mobile signal and resort-arranged satellite links, and remote work there should be treated as unreliable by default, with town as the base for anything that needs a dependable connection.
Topping up a prepaid SIM is effortless: use the operator's app (myAIS, TrueID), buy a top-up at any 7-Eleven or Family Mart - common throughout Trang town, sparser on the islands - use a top-up kiosk, or dial the USSD code on your SIM starter pack.
Most arrivals buy a SIM at Trang Airport (TST) on arrival (convenient but pricier tourist bundles), at operator shops around the town centre - the best one-stop option for postpaid, eSIM activation and English-speaking help - or at any 7-Eleven and convenience store in town for a basic prepaid SIM. Buy before heading to the islands, since there is no operator shop on Koh Mook, Koh Kradan or Koh Ngai. Thai law requires SIM registration, so always bring your passport.
Expect roughly 400-1,000 baht a month for home fibre in Trang town depending on speed, and 300-600 baht a month for a solid mobile data package (unlimited-data plans at the upper end). A basic prepaid starter SIM costs around 50-200 baht before you add data. All in, a well-connected household in Trang town typically spends about 700-1,500 baht a month on internet and mobile combined.
For dealing with visa matters, see the Trang immigration office guide.
AIS Fibre and True Online are the two biggest fibre providers in Trang town, with 3BB a value alternative. Expect roughly 400-1,000 baht a month for speeds from 300 Mbps up to gigabit. The Trang islands (Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai) have no fixed fibre -- resorts rely on satellite links instead.
Not fixed fibre. Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai resorts and guesthouses typically rely on satellite links or mobile data, and quality varies significantly by property. AIS generally has the best mobile signal reaching the islands, but treat any island stay as mobile-data-first rather than assuming reliable wifi.
Most newcomers start with a prepaid (top-up) SIM because you can buy it over the counter with just your passport - no contract or credit check - and add a monthly data package. Postpaid plans can be cheaper per gigabyte for heavy users but require more paperwork such as proof of address or a long-stay visa.
Buy in Trang town before you go -- at the airport (TST), operator shops in the town centre, or any 7-Eleven or convenience store. There is no SIM shop on Koh Mook, Koh Kradan or Koh Ngai, so sort out your SIM and data package before boarding the ferry.
Primary and official sources are cited above. Government rules, fees and procedures in Thailand change over time and vary by office; always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before relying on them. BAANLYY never takes paid placement in editorial content.
Browse Trang areas and homes, then set up fibre and a SIM the day you land.
General information only, not legal or financial advice. Provider plans, prices, SIM rules and coverage change - confirm current details with the operator and official sources.
Hero photo by Pascal on Pexels.