Best VPNs for Thailand in 2026: Beat censorship and geo-blocks

Thailand’s authorities heavily censor the internet, and things have only gotten worse since the opposition party was dissolved in 2024. With citizens regularly receiving long prison sentences for their online activities, a Virtual Private Network isn’t just a recommendation; it’s practically a requirement for anyone visiting Thailand.

VPNs encrypt your online activity, rerouting it through an external server and making it challenging for prying eyes to track you. Whether using public wifi or browsing at home, this tool guarantees enhanced privacy. Plus, they help expats by allowing you to access your favorite streaming apps abroad, services like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, or Crave, which normally aren’t available in Thailand due to geographic restrictions.

Below, I’ll explain how to use a VPN to browse safely and access region-locked content during a trip to Thailand. Before that, though, here’s a brief rundown of the best VPNs for Thailand:

Best VPNs for Thailand:

1. NordVPN Best VPN for Thailand. Boasts strong privacy credentials, a large server network, excellent speeds, and the ability to access virtually any streaming platform. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Thailand.
2. Surfshark Best budget-friendly option for Thailand. Puts major emphasis on user security and easily unblocks a wide range of streaming platforms abroad.
3. Total VPN Fast servers in Thailand and 80+ other countries. Great for streaming and strong on security. Comes with its own antivirus app.
4. ProtonVPN A privacy-first VPN with an expansive network and very high speeds. Works well with most streaming sites and doesn’t keep any logs.
5. ExpressVPN This novice-friendly service works in countries with extreme censorship. Requires minimal setup and unblocks most major streaming sites.
6. IPVanish Fast, secure VPN service. No limit on how many devices you can connect. Great set of privacy features and 24/7 support over live chat.
7. CyberGhost A simple and intuitive VPN with servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P activity. Customizable security tools and a no-logs policy.
8. PrivateVPN With a strict no-logs policy, a strong privacy focus, and the ability to access most geo-locked sites, this VPN is ideal for anyone visiting Thailand.
9. Hotspot Shield A no-logs VPN with reasonable performance and beginner-friendly apps. Great for streaming Thai content during a trip abroad. Offers 24/7 support over live chat.

How I chose the top VPNs for Thailand

It can be difficult to decide on a VPN service for Thailand as there are so many available. However, scratch the surface, and there’s a stark difference in their quality. I separated the best from the rest by carefully evaluating each service in five key areas. Here’s what areas I tested and why each matters so much:

• Speed: This is a huge deal if you’re interested in streaming since slow speeds cause problems like stuttering and long buffering times. I tested each VPN’s Thai servers three times, using a 250 Mbps connection since that’s roughly the average broadband speed in Thailand.
• Server availability: Generally, the closer your chosen server, the less latency you’ll experience. That’s why I made note of how many server locations each VPN had in Thailand, as well as nearby countries like Malaysia and Vietnam.
• Streaming: I tested each VPN against some of the most stubborn geo-blocked streaming services, noting down any time I had to try multiple servers and any outright failures.
• Security and privacy: Privacy is a major concern, which is why I carefully considered more than a dozen security-related criteria, including which protocols are supported, how strong the VPN’s encryption is, and whether there’s obfuscation capable of beating Thailand’s strict digital surveillance.
• Value for money: Finally, I checked the lowest price for each provider, verified that they offer enough functionality to justify their pricing, and looked into whether they offer student discounts, run regular sales throughout the year, or allow an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

This is just a brief summary, but you can read more about my scientific testing methodology later on in this article. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made my list.

The best VPNs for Thailand: my hands-on review

I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – the #1 choice VPN for Thailand.

Best VPNs for Thailand

I personally tested more than 70 leading VPNs before creating my list of recommendations. The following reviews are based on my first-hand experiences.

Here are my picks for the best VPN for Thailand:

1. NordVPN

Feb 2026 Works In ThailandTested Feb 2026

NordVPN is my top VPN for Thailand. It has servers in Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar, as well as in a further 120+ countries, so you’ll never have to rely on servers that are too far away. Better still, this service works flawlessly with stubborn streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. You can chat directly with support staff over live chat and secure up to 10 devices at once.

NordVPN delivers impressive speeds, even if you use its Thai servers from thousands of miles away. In my tests, it returned an average of 168.18 Mbps, which is plenty for anyone looking to stream, chat, or torrent with a Thai IP address. Also, it was incredibly consistent, with barely 5 Mbps of variation between its fastest and slowest results.

Security is where NordVPN really shines. Not only does it have obfuscated servers capable of beating country-wide censorship, but it recently launched a custom protocol that does the same thing while offering faster speeds. This service uses unbreakable encryption, a customizable kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a fully-audited no-logs policy to keep you safe at all times.

There are more advanced features too, such as NordVPN’s split tunneling support, automatic wifi protection, and NordLynx, which is a faster, more secure implementation of the WireGuard protocol. You can even get your own dedicated IP address for a little more each month.

NordVPN offers apps for iOS, MacOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. Its website also provides step-by-step instructions for installing this VPN on your router.

BEST VPN FOR THAILAND:NordVPN is my top choice for anyone visiting Thailand. It boasts a large server network, fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and great unblocking capabilities. This provider even offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Want to know more? Read the full review of NordVPN here, or watch the video review below.

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2. Surfshark

Works in ThailandTested Feb 2026  

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for users in Thailand. It offers access to more than 4,500 servers in 100 countries and can reliably unblock even the most stubborn streaming platforms from abroad (including Netflix US and BBC iPlayer). Whether you’re hoping to chat freely with friends and family back home or just stay up to date with your favorite TV shows, Surfshark can help. It allows any number of simultaneous connections, works almost anywhere in the world, and provides 24/7 customer support via live chat.

I tried Surfshark’s Thai servers once in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. This was actually the second fastest VPN I tested, coming in behind NordVPN with an average of 156.33 Mbps. That’s well above what you’ll need for streaming, though I’d prefer it if it were a little more consistent since Surfshark’s speeds varied by around 15 Mbps. Let’s see those full test results:

Surfshark does a great job of keeping your online activities private. It uses unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch. There’s also a professionally-audited no-logs policy, a tool that blocks ads and trackers automatically, and a NoBorders mode that ensures you can browse the web safely, even in high-censorship countries like Thailand. You can even choose to let certain apps bypass the VPN’s encryption, for instance, to download a file as quickly as possible, though this should only be done for traffic you don’t mind being monitored.

Users can selectively route apps and websites through the VPN tunnel. That’s just a taste of what Surfshark has to offer. It’s also capable of swapping your IP address every few minutes, encrypting your data twice, or generating a fake persona so you can sign up to websites without providing your own information. There are even servers with static IP addresses that you can use at no added cost. Privacy-focused users will appreciate that you can pay in Bitcoin for added anonymity.

Surfshark offers iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps — all of which have a full GUI. If you’d prefer, you can manually configure it for use with your home router.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark strikes the perfect balance between speed, security, and affordability, making it a strong general-purpose VPN. With a no-logging policy and a 30-day money-back guarantee, this service is well worth your time.

Read the full review of Surfshark here, or check out the video review below.

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3. Total VPN

Works In ThailandTested Feb 2026

TotalVPN is another excellent choice for users in Thailand. Its network is comprised of 1,800 servers spread across 85+ countries, including several in the Asia-Pacific region. Not only that, this service can reliably access tricky services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video from abroad, meaning it’s perfect for anyone trying to access their favorite streaming services, chat with friends, or beat regional limitations.

Speeds were fast across all three tests, averaging 148.7 Mbps overall. They were also very consistent, with a difference of just 6.81 Mbps between the slowest and fastest results. This enables lag-free streaming and gaming at any time of day.

This is a deceptively simple provider. It makes it about as easy as it can be to connect to a VPN server, while providing multiple security and privacy features in the background. These include protection against IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks; a kill switch, and strong 256-bit AES encryption.

Total VPN subscriptions are some of the cheapest we’ve come across. A one-year plan costs the equivalent of $1.59 a month and includes free ad-blocking and antivirus software. Apps are available for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and tvOS.

USER-FRIENDLY APPS:Total VPN apps are easy to navigate and strong on security. Fast servers are available in 85+ countries. Subscriptions are great value and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read my full Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is an extremely versatile service that’s known for its strong privacy focus. There are more than 15,000 servers to choose from in 120+ countries, including Thailand and the surrounding regions. What’s more, this VPN has no problem accessing major streaming services like Netflix, AIS PLAY, TrueID, MONOMAX, or iQIYI abroad. Support staff are quick to respond and available 24/7 over live chat, plus you can connect up to 10 devices at the same time with a single account.

The real question is whether ProtonVPN is fast enough to keep up. I tested its Thai servers three times (in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon) using the WireGuard protocol since it’s the fastest protocol ProtonVPN supports. This service achieved an average speed of 135.12 Mbps, making it significantly faster than is needed for any day-to-day task.

Given that this service was created by the team behind Proton Mail, it should come as no surprise that ProtonVPN takes your privacy seriously. Your data is secured using AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an audited no-logging policy. There are plenty of advanced features too, such as ProtonVPN’s obfuscated stealth mode, multi-hop connections, and Tor over VPN servers, as well as split tunneling and port forwarding support. If you’re someone who enjoys customization, you’ll feel right at home with this provider.

ProtonVPN offers its own apps for MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. Alternatively, you can follow a manual setup guide to get it running on most routers.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN is a highly secure and reliable VPN based in Switzerland. The VPN has a superb reputation, a no-logs policy, and more advanced features than most of its competitors. It has servers in over 120+ countries, including Thailand. 24/7 live chat support is available on its website, and it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in the full ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

Works In ThailandTested Feb 2026

ExpressVPN allows you to easily unblock your favorite streaming services while traveling abroad, and with a network covering more than 105 countries, you won’t be short of things to watch. In my testing, I was able to stream BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video without any problems. ExpressVPN now allows between 10 and 14 simultaneous connections based on your subscription tier. Regardless of which tier you’re on, you’ll have access to 24/7 live chat-based support.

My next challenge was to find out exactly how quick this provider is. This meant testing its servers in Thailand several times to see what it’s capable of and how much its performance varied throughout the day. ExpressVPN averaged a respectable 118.16 Mbps, meaning it’s suitable for torrenting, live streaming, and playing online games, though I’d prefer to see a little less fluctuation.

When it comes to security, ExpressVPN keeps things simple. Users are protected from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, their traffic hidden behind uncrackable encryption. There’s also a kill switch and a tool that blocks ads, trackers, and suspicious sites by default. This VPN automatically obfuscates your traffic in high-censorship countries like Thailand, and has been audited to prove it doesn’t keep any logs that could identify you. It even has its own protocol named Lightway that can keep you safe even while switching between wifi and mobile networks.

The only real downside to ExpressVPN is that it’s a little more expensive than its competitors. But to combat this, they recently introduced tiered subscription levels — Basic for $3.49, Advanced for $4.49, and Pro for $7.49. This setup lets you pick the option that best aligns with both your budget and your security preferences. If you want to try before you buy, subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

There are mobile VPN apps for Android and iOS, or you can download desktop clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux. ExpressVPN is the only provider with its own router firmware, too, so it’s as easy as possible to protect your entire home network.

LAG-FREE STREAMING:ExpressVPN is great at unblocking geo-restricted services, plus it boasts superfast speeds, pre-configured security tools, and the ability to sidestep country-wide censorship. Every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the in-depth review of ExpressVPN here.

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6. IPVanish

Works In ThailandTested Feb 2026

IPVanish is something special: a completely logless VPN that delivers impressive performance and top-tier streaming capabilities at a reasonable price. It owns and operates around 3,200 servers in 100 countries, with quite a few in Bangkok. Not only that, it can access Thai content and international platforms like Netflix, Peacock, and iQIYI. Users can secure as many devices as they like and speak directly to support staff using IPVanish’s 24/7 live chat service.

This provider has dramatically improved its performance, network scale, and streaming ability in recent years. I tested its Thai servers at various times of day and recorded an average speed of 136.28 Mbps with around 10 Mbps of fluctuation. That’s well within expected limits, meaning you’ll be able to stream 4K video without the slightest interruption. Here are IPVanish’s full test results:

IPVanish boasts an extremely robust set of security features, making it ideal for anyone planning a trip to Thailand. Its encryption is unbreakable, for starters, plus the kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and audited zero-logs policy mean your activities can’t be revealed under any circumstances. Recently, this VPN added multi-hop servers, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and a tool that can tell you if links are safe to click or not. There’s also split tunneling support and the option to scramble OpenVPN traffic (though this won’t work in places like China, sadly).

IPVanish has its own Android, Windows, Linux, MacOS, and iOS apps. It was designed to be easily-navigable using a remote control or mouse, making it suitable for a wide range of devices. There are also manual setup guides for most routers.

Subscriptions are great value, with the cheapest costing the equivalent of $2.19 a month. The slightly more expensive Advanced plan includes 1TB of cloud storage and a sandboxed secure browser — not bad considering the cloud storage would usually cost more than this by itself!

FAST AND SECURE:IPVanish delivers high speeds, a high level of security, and the ability to watch almost anything from almost anywhere. No-logs VPN that lets you connect all of your devices at once. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full review of IPVanish.

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7. CyberGhost

Works In ThailandTested Feb 2026

CyberGhost is an industry veteran boasting novice-friendly apps and a network spanning 100+ countries, including Thailand. What’s unique about this VPN is that it tells users which servers are best for accessing a given streaming service, torrenting anonymously, playing online games, or maximizing their privacy. Want to stream Netflix or Max abroad? Just choose the appropriate server. You’re permitted up to seven simultaneous connections, and customer support is available via 24/7 live chat.

This provider is perfect for anyone hoping to perform data-intensive tasks like streaming or torrenting. Following a full day of testing CyberGhost’s Thai servers, it had an average speed of 126.52 Mbps, with around 12 Mbps of variance. Simply put, you shouldn’t have any problems watching live TV, video calling, or playing games. Let’s see this VPN’s speeds at different points throughout the day:

When it comes to security, CyberGhost has everything you could ever need. By default, it uses 256-bit AES encryption over the OpenVPN protocol, a combination which experts agree is currently uncrackable. Additionally, it offers a kill switch, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks. CyberGhost’s no-logs policy has been audited multiple times, and it publishes regular transparency reports too.

CyberGhost has a couple of more advanced features as well. For instance, it can send data via a random port, hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN at all. There’s split tunneling support, so you can let certain apps bypass the VPN’s encryption (for instance, to download non-sensitive files more quickly). Finally, CyberGhost has customizable smart rules which tell it to connect on its own in certain situations.

Subscriptions start at the equivalent of $2.19 a month, with apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. You’ll have to follow manual setup instructions to get CyberGhost running on your home router, though. Dedicated IP addresses are available as an optional extra, as is the CyberGhost Security Suite (which includes anti-virus software).

VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is another excellent VPN for Thailand. Offers high speeds, easy-to-use apps, and the option to stream a huge range of content abroad. Each subscription comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full review of CyberGhost.

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8. PrivateVPN

Works in ThailandTested Feb 2026

PrivateVPN is a capable, versatile provider that works in Thailand, China, and just about anywhere else. While it only has around 200 servers in 63 countries, these are all owned and managed in-house so that nobody else ever has access to your data. PrivateVPN does a great job of accessing geo-blocked streaming platforms too; I was able to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus while connected. There’s a 10 simultaneous connection limit and live chat-based support (though only during European business hours, unfortunately).

In previous tests, I’ve seen PrivateVPN struggle to reach the same speed as its rivals. This time, I tested its Thailand servers, which resulted in an average speed of 70.87 Mbps. That’s quicker than most other services on the market, and much higher than is needed for streaming, even if you’re watching in 4K. Of course, there’s room for improvement, but it’d be a mistake to write this VPN off based on speed alone.

Security should always be one of your top priorities, especially if you’re visiting a country with extreme censorship like Thailand. PrivateVPN keeps you safe using unbreakable encryption (256-bit AES, with the option to reduce this to 128-bit). There’s also an app-specific kill switch and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, as well as a Stealth VPN mode capable of beating the world’s toughest restrictions.

That’s not all! PrivateVPN supports split tunneling, which means you can let specific websites or apps bypass its encryption. There’s also port forwarding support, which is helpful if you’re trying to use P2P networks or play online games. Finally, this VPN offers static IP addresses from 15 different countries at no added cost. Note that PrivateVPN calls these “Dedicated IP” servers, which might confuse some people, as the addresses are shared between users rather than being exclusive.

PrivateVPN subscriptions are great value, with a three-year plan costing the equivalent of just $2 a month. Apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS. Linux systems and routers require manual configuration (check the support section of PrivateVPN’s website for instructions).

EXCELLENT PRIVACY OFFERING:PrivateVPN takes your anonymity seriously. What’s more, it’s perfect for streaming, delivers steady speeds, and works even in places where the internet is heavily restricted. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full PrivateVPN review.

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9. Hotspot Shield

Works in ThailandTested Feb 2026  

Hotspot Shield has what it takes to keep your online activities private. It has servers in more than 80 countries, including Thailand, so you’ll never have to rely on one that’s too far away to be useful. There are even some servers designed for gaming and regaining access to British and American platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video. Up to 10 devices can be protected at the same time, and customer support staff are ready to help at any time over live chat.

I ran three speed tests while connected to Hotspot Shield’s servers in Thailand. While on a 250 Mbps connection, this VPN delivered an average speed of 91.13 Mbps, with 13 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. Even data-intensive tasks like live streaming only require a fraction of this bandwidth, so you should be just fine, provided your base download speeds are similar to mine.

Don’t be fooled by Hotspot Shield’s beginner-friendly apps; it’s packed with powerful security features. For instance, this VPN’s unbreakable encryption, kill switch, and leak protection all ensure your activities can’t be monitored by anyone. Hotspot Shield has a no-logging policy that’s backed up by an independent audit, so you know your privacy is in good hands. Last but not least, it supports the custom Hydra protocol, which can hide the telltale signs of VPN usage, helping you beat online censorship in Thailand.

Hotspot Shield has apps for iOS, Windows, Android, macOS, and Linux. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on most home routers.

QUICK AND SECURE:Hotspot Shield is a great everyday option. It balances speed, security, and streaming ability, while keeping the overall cost down. All plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full review of Hotspot Shield here.

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How to use a VPN in Thailand

Using a VPN is easier than you might think. Just follow these simple steps to get started.

Here’s how to use a VPN in Thailand:

1. Sign up to your chosen provider (I recommend NordVPN).
2. Download the appropriate VPN app for your device.
3. Connect to a server in your desired location. For example, you’d connect to a US VPN server and gain a US IP address to access US Netflix or a server in Thailand to browse securely within the country and access Thai content.
4. Navigate to the stream, and you should have unrestricted access.
5. If you’re struggling to access sites, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache and reloading the page. Alternatively, try a different server or contact your VPN’s customer support team for assistance.

Note that if you’re hoping to catch a live stream, for example, of a sports event, it’s best to test the connection ahead of time. This way, you’ll have time to troubleshoot any issues that may arise without missing any of the game.

How to get a free VPN for Thailand

I understand the temptation to try to get a VPN for Thailand for free, and indeed, the most cursory internet search will turn up plenty of free services. But the majority of them are just not worth using.

Firstly, free VPN services tend to cluster their servers in the most sought-after locations, such as the US and Europe, so you might struggle to find one with servers in Thailand. If you do find one, it’ll likely offer a slow, frustrating service. Free VPNs tend to have low server numbers and high user numbers, leading to long wait times, download caps, bandwidth throttling, and terrible speeds.

Also, free VPNs come with some worrying security issues. Many lack basic encryption, leaving you just as exposed as if you weren’t using a VPN at all. More worrying still, several free VPN providers have been caught mining and selling user data, while others come laced with Malware.

In short, I recommend avoiding free VPNs and coughing up a few dollars each month for a reputable VPN rather than running a huge risk. However, if you’re 100% set on finding a free VPN for Thailand, there are a few things you can try.

How to get a free VPN for Thailand:

• Choose a reputable VPN with a free basic plan, such as Proton VPN or the new free offering from ExpressVPN, EventVPN. These often come with limited server locations (you’re unlikely to find a Thai server) and data caps, but are at least secure and keep no logs.
• Opt for a VPN that offers a free trial. These range from 1 – 7 days, so it could be enough if you just want to be protected for a short time.
• Make the most of the money-back guarantees of the providers we’ve listed here. They range from 30 to 45 days, so they should be enough to cover you for a vacation or short work trip. Unlike free trials, you do have to pay upfront, but you can at least rest assured that if you’re not 100% happy with the service, you can claim a full refund. Check out this step-by-step guide to claiming a full refund from NordVPN to see how simple it is.

The future of the internet in Thailand

Thailand is a hotspot for travelers, expats, digital nomads, and more. However, advocacy body Freedom House emphatically states that the country’s cyber landscape is “not free” with the arrest of bloggers, increased web censorship, and the dissolution of the main opposing political party, all raising severe concern.

Since the military overthrew the government back in 2014, Thailand has been cracking down on dissenting opinion, criminalizing pro-democratic speech and any dialogue that criticizes the royal family. In 2025, it was revealed that the government had a task force designed to carry out cyberattacks and harass lawyers, activists, and civil rights groups.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation notes that changes to Thailand’s cybercrime laws are ambiguous, vague, and lack accountability. There’s a real attempt to stifle freedom of expression, especially on digital platforms, and to maintain control of Thai society.

See also:

• Visitors’ guide to online privacy and security in Thailand
• How to get an IP address for Asia
• Best VPNs for Asia to unblock websites and content

Using a VPN in Thailand: FAQs