Thailand phone code +66: mobile format & how to dial

Key facts

International code+66

International format+66 X XXX XXXXe.g. +66 81 234 5678

Mobile prefixesXX XXX XXXXe.g. 81 234 5678

Mobile length9 digits

Landline format0X XXX XXXXe.g. 02 123 4567

Domestic trunk0

How to read a number

+66812345678

+66Country code: Thailand.
81Mobile prefix: Written 081 domestically — the 0 is the trunk prefix; 06, 08 and 09 are all mobile, allocated to carriers in blocks, with number portability.
2345678Subscriber number: 7 digits.

Domestic format: 081-234-5678. Landlines are one digit shorter, e.g. Bangkok 02-123-4567, dialled from abroad as +66 2 123 4567.

This section checked 2026-09-13. Sources: www.letsdial.com/blog/thailand-phone-number-format/ · www.nationthailand.com/business/30304311

Number ranges & quality

Range	Type	Notes
`Starts with 06 / 08 / 09 (9 digits, including the leading 0)`	Mobile carrier	Thai mobile ranges.

Intl SMSStable

Virtual-number riskLow

ID requiredA passport is required, with at most three SIMs per operator for foreigners; tourist SIMs last at most 60 days and can’t be extended.

Physical SIMs can sign up without issues. LINE is the mainstream messaging app in Thailand.

Carriers & prefixes

Mobile prefixes by carrier.

Number portability applies — a prefix only shows the original carrier.

AIS Mobile carrier
True (incl. former dtac) Mobile carrier

Merged with dtac in March 2023.
National Telecom (NT) Mobile carrier

Formed in 2021 from TOT and CAT.

This section checked 2026-09-13. Sources: www.rcrwireless.com/20230302/5g/thai-telcos-true-corp-dtac-complete-merger-process · www.nationthailand.com/business/30304311

SIM cards & keeping a number

Thailand keeps tightening SIM rules: since 18 August 2025 new SIMs and SIM swaps require a face liveness check; foreigners register with a passport, up to three SIMs per operator. Tourist SIMs sold to visitors last at most 60 days and can’t be extended by top-up — continuing requires re-registering with a passport at a shop.

Regular prepaid SIMs (not tourist SIMs) are friendlier: since 14 May 2026 the NBTC requires a number-retention service — when validity runs out but credit remains, the operator deducts ฿3 every 30 days to add 30 days, up to six times (180 days), with an SMS 3 days before and an opt-out. So to keep a Thai number, get a regular prepaid SIM rather than a tourist SIM and leave some credit on it.

Tourist SIM

Travel SIM

Network: True (incl. former dtac) / AIS
Price: Package price as shown on the pack
Keeping the number: True (official): validity follows the package on the pack, up to 60 days; it can’t be extended by top-up after expiry — to continue, re-register with a passport at a True dtac Shop or call the hotline
ID check: Passport; foreigners max three SIMs per brand; face liveness check for new SIMs
SMS & calls: A normal Thai number

Pros

Buy at the airport and use on arrival

Watch out

60 days at most — not for keeping a number

Sources: www.true.th/en/prepaid/sim/tourist · www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/policy/40054768 · www.biometricupdate.com/202508/thailand-mandates-biometric-liveness-detection-for-sim-registration

Regular prepaid (AIS One-2-Call / True prepaid)

Number-keeping SIM

Network: AIS / True (incl. former dtac)
Price: Depends on top-up; days added per top-up are set by the operator
Keeping the number: NBTC rule (from 14 May 2026, tourist SIMs excluded): when validity expires with credit remaining, ฿3 is deducted every 30 days to add 30 days, up to six times (180 days); SMS notice 3 days before, opt-out available (True: dial *925#). After 180 days without a top-up the line enters the suspension process.
ID check: Passport; foreigners max three SIMs per operator; since May 2026 a registered SIM must be activated within 60 days
SMS & calls: AIS (official): incoming SMS is free while roaming; outgoing SMS is charged by country

Pros

Leave some credit and it renews itself for 180 days at ฿3 a month
Free incoming SMS abroad (AIS)

Watch out

Airport SIMs are usually tourist SIMs — make sure you get a regular prepaid SIM
After 180 days you still need to top up to keep the number
Inserting it in China triggers roaming data charges — turn data off first

Where to buy: ais.th, true.th

Sources: www.thairath.co.th/news/governmentpolicy/2932821 · www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/news-update/1232473 · aiscallcenter.ais.co.th/ikm/acc/index.php?kmid=KM1140446 · www.true.th/en/help/mobile/network/prepaid-number-retention-service · www.ais.th/en/consumers/package/international/roaming/others · lexbangkok.com/thailand-sim-card-rules-2026

From user and blogger reports; platform risk rules change often — treat as a guide only. This section checked 2026-09-15.

Sign-up availability

What to expect when signing up for these services with a physical SIM from this country:

ChatGPT Works

Claude Works

WhatsApp Works

Telegram Works

LINE Works

WeChat Works

X Works

TikTok Works

Gemini Works

Jump to another country

Calling Thailand from abroad

Dial +66, then the local number. Drop the leading trunk prefix 0. E.g. the landline 02 123 4567 is dialled from abroad as +66 2 123 4567.

Generate the full number →

Dialing within Thailand

For domestic long distance dial 0 first, then the area code. Local calls and mobiles: dial directly.

Elsewhere in Asia

Community tips

No community tips yet. We refresh every 1–2 months — contributions welcome.

Have experience to share? Submit →

Common premise & disclaimer

Applies to every platform: VoIP / virtual numbers and heavily-reused number pools get rejected. Physical SIM only.

Checked 2026-09-12. Platform region policies and number-range allocations change — always confirm against each platform’s official supported-regions list and the carrier’s notices.

Sources：help.openai.com/articles/7947663 · support.google.com/gemini?p=gemini_web_availability

Thailand +66