Daily life

Networks: there are effectively two. AIS, and True. dtac is still sold as a brand but has been part of True Corporation since their 2023 merger and runs on the same network — so the real choice is AIS or True, not three operators. AIS still has the edge on the islands and in the far north; True is strong in Bangkok and the big cities.

Tourist SIMs at the airport are 299–899 THB. A resident monthly plan with 30–100 GB is 400–800 THB — walk into any mall shop with your passport.

Home internet (fibre, 300–1,000 Mbps) is 500–800 THB a month, usually installed within 3 days, often needing only a passport and address.

Apps you will end up installing anyway

• Grab / Bolt — rides and food
• LINE — how Thailand messages; nobody will WhatsApp you
• Foodpanda, Robinhood — food delivery
• Lazada, Shopee — everything else, delivered next day
• ViaBus — real-time Bangkok buses
• Immigration TM30/TM47 — the official reporting app

Big supermarkets: Big C and Lotus's for volume, Tops and Villa Market for imported goods, Makro for wholesale. Fresh markets are cheaper and better for produce, and open around 5 a.m.

What Bulgarians usually miss and where to find it:

• Feta / sirene — Villa Market and Gourmet Market stock Greek feta; Thai “Bulgarian-style” yoghurt is widely sold and surprisingly close
• Rye and real bread — European bakeries in Bangkok (Ari, Thonglor) and Chiang Mai (Nimman)
• Lyutenitsa, sunflower seeds, banitsa pastry — occasionally in the marketplace here, or via care packages
• Rakia — import duty on spirits is brutal; most people bring two bottles in duty-free