How to get a Thai Phone Number

• By SMSPool Admin
• September 10, 2026
• Guides

Many common Thai apps such as Lazada, Shopee and Grab require a 66 (Thai) phone number at sign up, and some apps even reject foreign numbers. Getting a real Thai SIM requires passport registration in person, which has been the case since 2015. With SMSPool you can obtain a non-VoIP Thai phone number without a SIM card or passport, from anywhere.

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What Do People Use Thai Phone Numbers For?

Thailand is a popular spot for digital nomads, expats and tourists, and almost all of them face the same issue. The app they need to use needs a Thai number they don't have. A local 66 number is what unlocks most of Thailand's most used apps.

Here's what people use one for:

Lazada and Shopee

Lazada and Shopee are Thailand's two biggest online marketplaces, think of Amazon and eBay, they both cover everything from electronics to groceries. Both services require you register with a phone number, and they send order and delivery updates by SMS, so you need one that actually receives Thai texts. This is where a lot of people abroad get stuck, since a foreign number often won't make it through signup.

Grab

Grab is an everyday app that is commonly used for services such as rides/taxi & food delivery across Thailand. Grab requires SMS verification to use the app and drivers will call or text to confirm pickup/drop off.

LINE

Line is a messaging app commonly used in Thailand and a few other Asian countries, it's as well known as WhatsApp in Asia and some shops/hotels expect it. To use Line you will need a phone number to register.

Why Do Thai Apps Want a Thai Phone Number?

• Mainly to verify you're a real local user and to cut spam/fake accounts
• The SMS systems for Thai apps are usually built for Thai mobiles
• Some only accept 66 at signup (Lazada, Shopee)
• VoIP blocked (TextNow etc rejected) - You will need a real carrier number

Why Is It Hard To Get a Thai SIM Card?

• Mandatory SIM registration since 2015 - passport or Thai ID, in person
• Rules out setting up before you arrive / from abroad
• Travel eSIMs mostly data-only, no Thai number that receives SMS
• SMSPool: real non-VoIP Thai number online, anywhere

How to Get a Thai Phone Number on SMSPool

Step 1: Create an SMSPool account. Go to SMSPool.net. Registration is fast and does not even require an email address if you would rather not use one.

Step 2: Add funds to your balance. Go to the Deposit page and add credit using card or crypto. Thai SMS verifications are low cost, so we would suggest adding $3 to get started.

Step 3: Order a Thai number. Go to the Order page, select Thailand as the country, then search for and select the service you want to register on. If you want to test it first without spending anything, the free SMS page lets you do that.

Step 4: Complete the purchase. Click the Quick Purchase button. SMSPool will generate a real, non-VoIP number for you within seconds.

Step 5: Verify your account. Enter the number on whichever service's website or app signup screen and request the code. When it arrives in your SMSPool dashboard, copy it and enter it in the app before it expires.

What If I Need to Verify Again Later?

It is unlikely you will be able to receive another SMS on our Thai numbers, as the Thai temporary numbers typically only last 20 minutes. We wouldn't recommend using these numbers for anything of importance, and while we would usually recommend a long-term rental for that, we do not currently offer Thai long-term rentals.

FAQ

Can I get a Thai number without living in Thailand? Yes, you can purchase a temporary non-VoIP Thai number from SMSPool.

Do I need a passport or Thai ID? Yes, for a physical SIM that provides you a number you will need ID. With SMSPool you do not need to provide ID to obtain a Thai phone number.

What do Thai numbers look like? Thai mobile numbers use the country code 66 and start with 06, 08 or 09 domestically. Internationally you drop the leading 0 and add 66, so 081 234 5678 becomes 66 81 234 5678.

Can I use a VoIP number? No, these platforms do not accept VoIP numbers. You can use SMSPool, which is non-VoIP.

Will it work on Lazada and Shopee? Yes, our numbers are non-VoIP, which is what their verification requires.

Can I receive codes without being in Thailand? Yes, however we would recommend using a Thai residential IP address on the websites/apps you sign up for when using a Thai number.

How long does the code take? Codes should arrive within 30 seconds but it can sometimes take 2 minutes.

What if no code arrives? You're not charged for numbers that do not receive codes. You can either refund the number manually by clicking refund, or it will refund itself if a code isn't received within the time limit.

Can I use the same number for multiple verifications? If it's still in our system, yes, however they typically only last 20 minutes.

Can I use a Thai number for banking/gov? No, we block telecom providers, financial services and government websites.

How much does it cost? This varies depending on the service. You can check the price via the Order page or on our homepage.

Ready to get a Thai phone number?

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