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Moving to Thailand: Your First 30 Days Checklist
From landing at the airport to your first paid utility bill, in order
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The tasks in your first month in Thailand mostly have a natural dependency order — you need a SIM card before most bank apps work smoothly, a bank account before some landlords will sign a lease, and an address before certain immigration paperwork. Working through them roughly in this sequence avoids the most common first-month headache: discovering a task depended on one you skipped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first thing I should do when I arrive in Thailand?
Clear immigration with your passport, visa documentation, and an accommodation address ready, and photograph your entry stamp immediately — you'll reference that date repeatedly for visa extensions, 90-day reporting, and TM30 registration. Getting a local SIM card soon after makes almost everything else on a first-month checklist easier.
Do I need a Thai bank account before I can rent an apartment?
Not strictly, but it helps — some landlords prefer rent paid via Thai bank transfer, and having an account in hand speeds up viewings and signing. Bank account requirements vary by institution and visa type and change periodically, so check current requirements with a specific bank rather than assuming.
What is TM30 and who is responsible for filing it?
TM30 is the notification of a foreigner's current address to Thai immigration. It's normally the landlord's or hotel's responsibility to file it, not the foreigner's — but it's worth confirming with your landlord that it's been done, since an unfiled TM30 can complicate your own visa extension applications later.
How soon after arriving do I need to report my address in Thailand?
TM30 address notification is typically filed by your landlord or hotel shortly after you check in or move in — confirm the timeline with them. Separately, if you're staying long-term, 90-day reporting is an ongoing requirement that recurs every 90 days for as long as you remain in the country continuously.
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