What to take abroad to Thailand
and what not too...

Last updated on August 29th, 2025 at 09:38 am

What to take abroad;

Most modern Electronics devices (PCs, Tablets) again, check and confirm they work on 220 AC.
Some western smartphones and tablets will work – please check each model with a Thai cellular service to confirm if cellular and data plans are available for your model. There are some western phones frequencies that work poorly or are entirely incompatible with the Thai cellular System.
Optional but not recommended are smaller household items, but try to limit what you take, space is usually limited in Thai condos and the cost of shipping them is higher than the cost of buy new ones in Thailand.

What NOT to take abroad;

Vehicles (no cars, truck, or motorbikes) it’s cost prohibitive due to import fees.
heavy items of 50 lbs.
Any electronic devices that work only on 110 Volt AC – from America examples are Hairdryers, fans, lights, if the device label does not say it works on 220 AC, don’t take it.
Be careful what over the counter and prescription pharmaceuticals you bring, some maybe illegal in Thailand.
Illegal drugs and Obscene materials are illegal
There is no need to bring a lot of clothes, you are likely to change your clothing style due to the different climate and lifestyle. Clothes are very cheap in Thailand, and you will find it much easier to buy new then ship clothes you will not wear much, the exception is for tall and large persons, since these clothes are not so common in Thailand.

Consider cashing out your Life insurance policy, if for example you live in the USA, many policies state you must be certified as deceased by a US based doctor before any benefits will be paid out.
Having a good healthcare policy in Thailand is recommended. The costs can be 90% cheaper than western country policies with equal or better coverage.
Transferring funds to Thailand, to buy a car or a home, should be well-thought-out. This can save you a lot of headache and costs if done properly.
What your wishes are if you pass away while in Thailand, such as burial or cremation, send your body to your home country.

We cover these topics in depth in other parts of this website.

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