Thailand (TH)

Confirm your TM30 address notification

Landlords and hotels handle TM30 address notification, but foreigners often face renewal problems when the record is missing. Ask for confirmation after move-in or re-entry when your local office expects it.

Submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card

Foreign arrivals should complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before travel when required. Keep the confirmation accessible offline with your passport and flight details.

Verify visa, job title and work permit alignment

Local work must match the employer, role and location authorised in the work permit. Side work and remote work for Thai clients can create risk.

Check your entry stamp before leaving immigration

Before walking away from passport control, verify the admitted-until date, visa category and passport number. A wrong stamp is easier to fix at the airport than weeks later.

Get a re-entry permit before leaving Thailand

Many visa extensions are cancelled if you leave without a re-entry permit. Check before every international trip.

Check volunteering permission before starting

Volunteering can still count as work for immigration/work-permit purposes. NGOs, temples, animal shelters and schools need caution.

Check motorbike licence and insurance before riding

Motorbike accidents are one of the biggest expat risks in Thailand. Insurance may refuse claims if you lack the correct motorcycle licence or ride under the influence.

Confirm Social Security Office registration

Foreign employees should verify SSO registration, contribution deductions and assigned hospital after starting work.

Create a 90-day reporting calendar

Foreigners staying continuously in Thailand must track 90-day reporting. Online, mail and in-person options depend on eligibility and office practice.

Build an annual renewal calendar

Track visa extension, 90-day reports, re-entry permit, passport, work permit, lease, insurance, school, driving licence and tax dates.

Synchronize passport renewal with Thai records

When you renew your passport, update immigration, bank, SIM, tax, hospital, insurer, school and employer records.

Prepare a Thailand departure checklist

Before leaving, settle lease, utilities, bank, tax, SSO, school, vehicle, pets, visa cancellation and remittance records.

Keep an official receipts and certificates folder

Save immigration receipts, bank letters, medical certificates, tax filings, SSO records, school letters and lease addenda.

Open a Thai bank account

A local bank account enables QR payments, salary, rent, utilities, immigration financial proof and cheaper domestic transfers.

Enable QR payments and PromptPay where eligible

QR payment is everyday infrastructure in Thailand, from markets to hospitals. PromptPay access depends on bank onboarding and ID/passport setup.

Get a Thai SIM with passport registration

A Thai phone number is needed for banking OTPs, delivery apps, hospital records, LINE contacts, immigration agents and utility accounts.

Set up home internet and building installation approval

Fibre installation often needs landlord or condo juristic-person approval, technician access and router placement planning.

Save your address in Thai script

Keep your address in Thai for taxis, deliveries, ambulances, police reports and hospital forms.

Inspect neighbourhood noise and transport at night

Visit potential homes at night and during rain to check bars, dogs, traffic, drainage, lighting and ride availability.

Set up LINE with your Thai number

LINE is the default communication channel for landlords, schools, clinics, agents, employers, shops and delivery drivers.

Set scam controls for transfers and agents

Use recipient-name checks, small test transfers, company verification and no-passport-collateral rules for rentals, agents and motorbikes.

Shortlist schools before choosing a home

Bangkok and Phuket commute times can dominate family life. Shortlist schools, bus routes and admissions timelines before signing a lease.

Review employment contract and handbook

Check probation, notice, severance, overtime, non-compete, IP, relocation repayment, Thai-law version and work-permit obligations.

Keep foreign-income and remittance records

Tax-resident expats should document when income arose, when funds entered Thailand and what treaty position applies.

Test international transfers before a deadline

Run a small transfer into Thailand before rent, visa proof, property purchase or school-fee deadlines.

Save Thailand emergency numbers and nearest hospital

Store 191 police, 1669 medical emergency, 199 fire and 1155 tourist police, plus your nearest 24-hour hospital and insurer hotline.

Prepare for PM2.5 and burning season

Bangkok haze and northern burning season can affect health, school closures, exercise and travel.

Check medicine import and controlled-drug rules

Some medicines that are routine abroad are controlled or restricted in Thailand. Bring prescriptions and generic names.

Identify an English-speaking mental health provider

Find a therapist, psychiatrist or hospital contact before crisis, especially if you use medication or have prior diagnoses.

Review lease terms before paying deposit

Thai rental contracts vary widely. Check deposit, early exit, repairs, internet, juristic rules, pet rules, TM30 support and utility billing before transferring money.

Set up utilities and check meter billing

Confirm how electricity, water, internet and building fees are billed. Condos may charge official utility rates or landlord/building markups.

Check flood and rainy-season risks

Inspect drainage, road access, leaks, balcony slope, parking and commute routes before choosing housing.

Create a rental deposit evidence pack

At move-in, save lease, transfer slip, inventory, meter readings, photos, access cards and landlord messages.

Create a home inventory for insurance and deposits

Document furniture, appliances, electronics, water stains, scratches, access cards and valuables for rental and insurance disputes.

Arrange health insurance that works in Thai hospitals

Private hospital care can be excellent and expensive. Confirm direct billing, outpatient coverage, evacuation, chronic conditions, maternity and mental-health exclusions.

Review insurance annually

Re-check health, motor, home contents, liability, travel, evacuation and pet coverage against your current visa, family and property situation.

Start a practical Thai language plan

Learn survival Thai for taxis, food, addresses, health symptoms, polite requests and numbers. Add script basics if staying more than a year.

Prepare a consumer complaint evidence file

For disputes, collect receipts, LINE chats, transfer slips, photos, warranty cards and company details before escalating.

Verify condo pet rules in writing

Pet-friendly listings can be misleading. The juristic-person rules control what is actually allowed.

Register with your embassy if available

Many countries offer travel or resident registration for emergency alerts, voting, evacuation and consular contact.

Convert or obtain a Thai driving licence

Long-stay drivers should get a Thai licence for police checks, insurance claims and vehicle purchase. Car and motorcycle licences are separate.

Review SSO benefits before job change or departure

Employees leaving work should check unemployment, old-age, medical continuation and claim deadlines.