Thailand, it’s a country of glorious beaches, mountain tribes, Singha beer and quite possibly the most tangled power-cable system in the world (looking at you Bangkok).

Wouldn’t it be great then, if living or visiting Thailand that you could access the internet unrestricted?

Sadly, that’s not the case.

• Blocked websites.
• Limits on what you can discuss online.
• Requirements to register for public Wi-Fi.
• … and no access to home services like Netflix.

It doesn’t need to be like this though. As you may already know a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the solution to these and many other internet issues across the country.

Choosing a VPN is a whole other issue.

That’s why in this guide you’ll learn which are the leading VPN services to access an open and unrestricted internet while you’re in Thailand.

So whether you’re a resident, a ‘long-term traveller’ (here’s to you visa-run pros) or you’re merely there for a couple of weeks on holiday, this is the guide for you.

Put down that coconut water and get your elephant pants ready to find out which are the best VPNs for Thailand.

7 VPNs Recommended in Thailand

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN, as the name suggests, is one of the fastest VPN services around.

In fact, it is known for its fast speeds that are perfect for streaming videos, playing online games, and browsing the web without interruption. In our latest tests, we found their speeds to outperform almost all other providers.

Not only that but it is also known for its strong security using 256-bit encryption as standard. So an internet users VPN connection is secure.

They’re also based in the British Virgin Islands where there are no mandatory data retention laws, so you can browse the web safely without having to worry about your internet traffic (user data) being logged, giving you private internet access.

ExpressVPN also provides a vast network of VPN servers, with over 3,000 servers in 160 locations – these span 94 countries across the globe.

They also have VPN servers in Thailand, meaning that you can access all of the country’s local content, and do it in a completely safe way.

The same goes for other countries in this area, such as Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and many others.

Another reason they stand out is their extensive range of apps covering almost every device you can imagine. Their secure VPN app has been designed for ease of use and looks great.

ExpressVPN also offers brilliant online security features such as an internet kill switch, DNS leak protection, private DNS, IP address leak protection, split tunnelling, and more.

If you change your mind about using it, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to get your money back within the first 30 days from the moment you paid.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Thailand, with strong online security and fast servers, you can’t go wrong with this VPN service provider.

#1 Choice for Thailand

30-day money back guarantee

2. CyberGhost VPN

Next, we have CyberGhost – another well-known and safe VPN that is good for unblocking all kinds of content both in and outside Thailand.

This VPN has an even more significant number of servers, 7,200+ of them in just as many countries – around 91 of them.

CyberGhost’s network is one of the largest, if not THE largest one, in the entire VPN industry.

As such, it also offers servers in Thailand, which includes over ten dedicated Thai servers.

If you want to access streaming services, CyberGhost has optimised servers dedicated to streaming. You’ll be able to access BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and many other service providers.

CyberGhost also allows you seven concurrent connections at the same time, and it has apps for all popular devices and systems.

The money-back-guarantee here is also longer than almost any other provider lasting a money-protecting 45 days.

CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs for Thailand, with its large server network giving you everything you need to access geo-restricted content and bypassing internet censorship.

3. NordVPN

In the third spot, we have NordVPN. It’s quite possibly the most popular VPN service on the planet and a name you’ve likely heard of.

It regularly offers huge discounts on its price, which makes it one of the most affordable options. It is also extremely secure (bar one hiccup).

It also has servers in Thailand, around 7 of them at current count making it easy to browse local content safely or get that vital speed boost if you’re down on the islands or somewhere with unreliable internet.

They also offer additional security features such as a kill switch, double VPN, dedicated IP servers, and more.

NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, it can be used on six devices simultaneously and it offers apps for all the popular devices and systems, as well as browser extensions.

If you’re looking for one of the best VPNs for Thailand, then NordVPN is a good choice.

4. IPVanish

Next, we have IPVanish, a service that again offers strong security but doesn’t scrimp on speed.

Its server network is somewhat smaller when compared to the behemoths mentioned above.

However, it still includes over 1,900+ servers in 75+ locations, totalling 40,000+ IP addresses, however, it doesn’t have a server in Thailand.

However, there are a few in the surrounding countries, such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and others. If having a Thai server is a requirement, then you’ll need to give this one a miss.

It also has a money-back guarantee that lasts 30 days like most of the other providers.

However, it is pretty much the only Thailand VPN that allows you to have unlimited simultaneous connections, letting you protect your entire family.

IPVanish is one of the best VPN Thailand providers in the business.

5. VyprVPN

In the fifth spot for the best VPN for Thailand, we have VyprVPN – a service known for reliability and one that has been around for years.

VyprVPN’s server network is also pretty extensive, covering 70+ different countries, although its number of servers is smaller than what others on this list have to offer – only around 700.

However, because they own all of their infrastructures we found them to be more reliable in comparison to many other services.

Luckily, their VPN server selection does cover Thailand, as well as many surrounding countries.

VyprVPN is excellent for unblocking content, and it has servers in countries where many other VPNs do not, such as Russia. While it won’t unblock every streaming service, it does work with the majority of them.

As with most of the other services, there’s a lengthy 30-day money-back guarantee to give you plenty of time to test their service.

Vypr is one of the best VPN Thailand services around.

6. Surfshark

Up next, we have Surfshark a new VPN that comes with a variety of powerful security features, as well as a large VPN server network of 3,200+ servers that span 65 countries.

We are also glad to say that Thailand is one of the countries included, as well as some of its closest neighbours.

Surfshark offers relatively low VPN prices, especially when you take their longer subscriptions.

The standout feature for us is their ability to access over 30 regions of Netflix, so if you’re an ex-pat who enjoys streaming Netflix and wants to access your movie catalogue from home, this is the service for you.

You’ll also be able to unblock streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and more.

Surfshark has important security features such as 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, split tunnelling, white-lister (good for online banking), and many others. They’ve even got a camouflage mode, not even your internet service providers will know you’re using a VPN.

Dedicated apps are available for all popular devices and it features a 30-day money-back guarantee.

All of the above makes Surfshark one of the best VPNs for Thailand.

7. ProtonVPN

Finally, but by no means least we have ProtonVPN, the only service on this list that has an entirely free VPN offer, although it is very limited.

However, when it comes to its premium version, it works on all the most popular devices and systems, it features high speeds, top security, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

You can also use it on five different devices simultaneously. As for its server network, it is one of the smallest on this list, only covering 55 countries, and having 1,318 servers in total.

Thailand is not among the covered countries, unfortunately, although some other countries in the area are. Pricing is also a little on the high side in comparison to other providers.

If you want the best VPN for Thailand to protect your internet freedom and online privacy, then ProtonVPN is up there with the best.

How to get a VPN for Thailand

Setting up a VPN for Thailand isn’t as difficult as you might think. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be set up in under 5 minutes.

In this step by step guide, I’ll be using ExpressVPN for demonstration purposes.

1. Visit the ExpressVPN website and join one of their subscription packages. If you’re looking to save a few $$$, then you’ll want to sign up for their 12-month package as this offers 3 FREE months and a 49% discount on the monthly fee.
2. Go to your device’s app store and download the ExpressVPN app, then log in using your username and password. You can also download the apps directly from the ExpressVPN website if you need to.
3. Connect to a location of your choosing, such as the Thailand. Then click the Connect button. (You can choose any place you want to access content from, you can even get a new Thai IP address too).
4. After 10 seconds or so, your connection will be established, and you’ll be able to access the internet without the Thai government’s surveillance, keeping your personal data private.

Top 4 Reasons to use a VPN in Thailand

Now, you might be wondering why you should use a VPN in Thailand in the first place?

We have four big reasons why doing it is a good idea. This is by no means a full list, but some of the main uses.

Let me explain…

1. Privacy

First of all, using a VPN anywhere in the world, including Thailand, is an excellent way to stay private online.

That way, you can protect yourself from hackers, intrusive governments, and other online threats. You can safely access online services, and you can send and retrieve data without anyone spying on you.

Thailand has strict lèse-majesté laws that prohibit criticising the Royal Family. While you’re unlikely to be doing so it means any such discussion could land you in a heap of trouble.

This is the same whether you’re living in Thailand or just travelling.

Of course, a VPN won’t protect you if you discuss disallowed topics via your Facebook or social media page linking to your name. Still, it can aid you to become semi-anonymous when posting on forums using a pseudonym… just make sure you have your VPN active.

The US national security agency also has several computer servers in Thailand, and they collect data on any unsecured connection that they can gain access to. A VPN protects you from this and will also prevent the Thai government and internet companies from doing the same.

The Electronic Transactions Development Agency also works closely with Google Asia Pacific to collect data.

Not to forget the 2019 Cyber Security Bill that grants the government unrestricted access to your private user information, emails, and even postal mail. Using a good VPN for Thailand is a must.

2. Public Wi-Fi

You have probably found yourself using public Wi-Fi on more than one occasion when outside of your home, and you needed to access the internet.

Most coffee shops offer it, as well as parks, airports like Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, shopping malls such as Terminal 21 & Central World and a whole host of other places.

However, you never know who else uses the same hotspot, which makes public Wi-Fi extremely unsafe.

Recent Thai government regulation now forces cafes to track their customers’ Wi-Fi use and surrender it to government agencies, should they request it.

This form of surveillance makes public internet use very unsafe.

Luckily, a VPN can protect you against monitoring what websites or services you’re accessing.

3. Unblock overseas TV

We have spoken already about the VPN’s potential to unblock foreign content, and this is especially useful if you’re an ex-pat in Thailand or travelling there for a period.

Although Thailand has a couple of multilingual TV networks like Mono29, you’ll probably want to access subscription services like Netflix, Disney+ and Sky or free-to-air TV like BBC iPlayer.

By using a VPN you can disguise your location and appear in another country, allowing you to access all your favourite TV and subscription services in Thailand.

If you’re in Thailand for an extended period, consider the Invizbox 2, a hardware VPN router that covers all your devices and doesn’t require you to install an app on each one.

4. Unblock websites & apps

Thailand is known for heavy censorship when it comes to certain types of content on the internet.

Whether it is adult content, video streaming sites, external news sites, or protest-related websites, Thailand’s censorship grows more and more with each passing year, a VPN will let you bypass this.

Is there a free VPN for Thailand?

Some free VPNs might work, although their use is never recommended by both ourselves and other experts in the industry.

Free VPN providers have many issues that might, and likely will end up damaging your device.

Since they are a free service, their servers are always overcrowded, meaning that you won’t get to experience good speeds.

This will be compounded further if you’re using unreliable or mobile internet connections out of the city. For example, in Northern Issan or on some of the islands in the south.

Then, there is the fact that you don’t pay for them, and maintaining these services costs money.

That means that the VPN has to find another way to get that money, and many of them will either bombard you with ads or record your web traffic and other data and sell it.

So, you’re free to do some searching, but my recommendation is to give them a miss – they’re not worth the trouble. Stick to the best VPN for Thailand (ExpressVPN) or one of the other Thailand VPN providers in the list above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is using a VPN illegal in Thailand?

No, there are no laws against VPN use in Thailand.

Do I need a Thai specific service?

No, you don’t need a Thai VPN, any regular VPN service will work. You should ensure they’re reputable and have servers in Thailand or surrounding countries for the best speeds.

Can I unblock websites?

Yes, by using a VPN in Thailand you’ll be able to access any websites that are blocked along with services from your home country.

Do I need a VPN service for each device?

No, most VPN services let you use their service on multiple devices (between 5 – 10 devices) at the same time. However, there are no limits on how many devices you can install their apps on.

Summary

As you can see, there are more than enough reasons to use a VPN in Thailand.

With so many to choose from, deciding which Thailand VPN is the best can be confusing.

I found ExpressVPN to be the best option. Using it in Chiang Mai, Nong Khai, Korat, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and even in Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Lipe, I suffered no issues.

They’ve also got a massive 30-day money-back guarantee so if it doesn’t work out for you or you don’t agree with my assessment then you can get a full refund.

Once you’ve signed up, enjoy online privacy, internet security, and freedom. Then marvel at how Thais crack open those coconuts so easily and enjoy the sun.

Have you used any of the above VPNs in Thailand, or do you have another recommendation? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Sources

1. The Telegraph | The best VPNs to protect your data, browser, iPhone, Android and more
2. FreedomHouse | Freedom on the Net 2018
3. OONI | The State of Internet Censorship in Thailand
4. Wired | Android VPN app developers are using malware to track your data

Illustration © Kontur-vid | Dreamstime.com