For many expats and migrant workers from Myanmar and Laos, staying in touch with family back home is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline. Whether you make daily calls to check on your children or send voice messages to loved ones, having a mobile plan with affordable international calling is essential.
Thankfully, in 2025, Thailand’s major mobile providers — AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove H — offer a range of SIM cards and add-on packages that make calling to Myanmar and Laos easier and cheaper than ever before.
This article explains how to choose the best mobile plan with cheap international call rates, how to activate it, and where to find SIM cards tailored for cross-border communication.
Regular prepaid SIMs in Thailand often charge high rates for international calls — sometimes over 10 THB per minute — unless you activate a specific IDD (International Direct Dialing) package or buy a SIM designed for foreign workers.
So if you're calling Myanmar or Laos several times a week (or daily), using the right plan can cut your monthly cost by half or more.
DTAC’s Happy SIM is very popular among Burmese and Lao workers.
You can activate international call packages like:
“Call Myanmar 1.5 THB/min”
“Call Laos 1.2 THB/min”
These plans are valid for 7 or 30 days and cost between 29–99 THB.
To activate, dial codes like:
*104*321# for Myanmar package
*104*302# for Laos package
True often bundles international minutes with prepaid packages.
They offer:
50 minutes to Myanmar for 50 THB
30 minutes to Laos for 30 THB
Add-ons are available via the True iService app or by dialing a USSD code.
True also includes free Messenger and LINE access — perfect if your relatives have access to Wi-Fi and messaging apps.
AIS has special SIMs designed for workers from Myanmar.
These often include:
Free incoming calls
Discounted rates to Myanmar and Laos
Monthly packages with unlimited internet + 30–50 international minutes
Plans cost around 200–300 THB/month.
You can find these SIMs in border towns, markets, and immigrant-heavy areas like Mae Sot, Tak, Samut Sakhon, and Mahachai.
7-Eleven – Look for SIM packages labeled “ซิมแรงงานต่างด้าว” (migrant worker SIM)
Mobile stalls in factory areas – Especially in Samut Prakan, Chonburi, Rayong, and Chiang Rai
Official DTAC / AIS / True stores – Staff often speak Burmese or Lao in high-expat areas
Shopee Thailand – Search terms like “ซิมโทรเมียนมา” or “ซิมโทรลาว” to order online
Use cash top-up at 7-Eleven or FamilyMart
Or top up via Shopee/Lazada for bonus coins
Use the provider’s app to monitor balance or renew packages
Always dial using 004, 005, or 006 prefixes for discounted IDD rates
Example: To call Myanmar using DTAC, dial 004 95 XXX XXXX.
Use internet-based calls (Messenger, LINE, Viber) when your family has Wi-Fi
Buy SIMs with Facebook Messenger unlimited access if your relatives mostly use Messenger
Combine your plan with Shopee data deals that include bonus call minutes
Consider dual SIM phones: use one for Thai internet and another for international calling
In 2025, staying connected to Myanmar and Laos from Thailand is more affordable than ever — if you use the right SIM and plan. Whether you choose DTAC’s Happy SIM, TrueMove’s international add-ons, or AIS’s combo packs, you can talk to your loved ones regularly without worrying about your budget.
The key is knowing where to buy the SIM, which add-ons to activate, and how to manage your credit effectively.
👉 How to Top Up at 7-Eleven – Step-by-Step Guide for Expats