Moving to Thailand: Your First 30 Days Checklist

From landing at the airport to your first paid utility bill, in order

Updated August 2, 2026·8 picks

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.

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1

Arrival and Immigration Entry

Have your passport, proof of onward travel or visa documentation, and accommodation address ready at immigration — the entry stamp or visa sticker you receive determines your permitted length of stay and whether you'll need to extend or report later. Photograph the entry stamp page immediately; you'll reference the exact date repeatedly for visa extensions, 90-day reporting, and TM30 registration in the weeks ahead.

Have passport, onward travel/visa proof, and an address ready at immigration
The entry stamp determines your permitted stay length
Photograph the entry stamp page immediately for later reference
You'll need this date repeatedly for extensions, 90-day reporting, and TM30

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2

Getting a Thai SIM Card

A local SIM (from AIS, dtac, or True) is available at the airport or any mall phone counter, usually same-day with just your passport. A working Thai number and mobile data make almost everything else on this list easier — ride-hailing apps, banking OTPs, and coordinating a viewing with a landlord all assume you have one. Prepaid tourist packages are simplest at first; switch to a monthly plan once you have a fixed address.

Available same-day at the airport or any mall phone counter with just a passport
A working Thai number/data makes ride-hailing, banking OTPs, and viewings easier
Prepaid tourist packages are the simplest starting option
Switch to a monthly plan once you have a fixed address

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3

Opening a Thai Bank Account

Requirements vary by bank and by your visa type, but commonly include your passport, visa/entry stamp, and sometimes a letter confirming your address or employment — policies tighten and loosen periodically, so call ahead or check the bank's current requirements rather than assuming last year's rules apply. A Thai bank account makes rent payments, bill payments, and everyday transactions dramatically easier than relying on a foreign card.

Requirements vary by bank and visa type — check current rules before you go
Commonly needed: passport, visa/entry stamp, sometimes an address/employment letter
Policies tighten and loosen periodically, so don't assume last year's rules apply
A Thai account makes rent, bills, and daily transactions much easier

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4

TM30 Address Notification and 90-Day Reporting

Thailand requires a foreigner's current address to be registered with immigration (TM30), which is normally the landlord's or hotel's responsibility to file — confirm with your landlord that this has been done, since it can affect your own visa extensions later. Separately, foreigners staying long-term must report their address every 90 days (90-day reporting), which can typically be done online, by mail, or in person at the local immigration office.

TM30 address registration is normally the landlord's/hotel's responsibility — confirm it's filed
An unfiled TM30 can complicate your own visa extension later
90-day reporting applies to foreigners staying long-term, separate from TM30
Online, mail, and in-person options typically exist for 90-day reporting

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5

Signing Your Lease

With a SIM, and often a bank account, in hand, you're in a stronger position to view units and move quickly on a lease. Read the deposit structure, notice period, and what's included (furniture, internet, utility billing) before signing, and get a signed move-in condition report with photos — this is the single best protection for getting your deposit back later. Confirm your landlord will register your TM30 promptly after signing.

Having a SIM and bank account makes viewing and signing move faster
Read the deposit structure, notice period, and what's included before signing
Get a signed move-in condition report with photos — your best deposit protection
Confirm the landlord will file your TM30 promptly after signing

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6

Transferring Utilities Into Your Name

Many furnished condos already have active electricity and water accounts under the landlord's name, billed through the juristic person — confirm with the landlord whether you're expected to open your own accounts or simply reimburse the existing ones. If you're in a standalone house, you'll likely need to set up accounts directly with the electricity and water authorities, which typically requires your passport, the lease, and a security deposit.

Furnished condos often already have active utility accounts under the landlord's name
Confirm whether you open your own accounts or reimburse the existing ones
Standalone houses typically require setting up accounts directly with the utility authorities
Passport, lease, and a security deposit are typically required for a new account

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7

Getting a Thai Driving Licence

An International Driving Permit paired with your home licence covers you for a limited period, but a Thai driving licence is the practical long-term option if you'll be driving a car or motorbike regularly. The process typically involves a health check, a theory test, and a practical test at the local Department of Land Transport office, and requirements can differ depending on whether you already hold a valid licence from your home country.

An International Driving Permit covers you short-term but has a limited window
A Thai licence is the practical option if you'll drive regularly long-term
Process typically includes a health check, theory test, and practical test
Requirements can differ if you already hold a valid home-country licence

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8

Setting Up Healthcare and Insurance

Identify a private hospital or clinic near your new address for routine care, and keep a copy of your passport and any existing medical records accessible for your first visit. If you don't already have coverage from your home country or employer, arrange private health insurance early rather than waiting for a medical need — some visa categories also require proof of health insurance as part of the application or renewal.

Identify a nearby private hospital or clinic for routine care early on
Keep passport copies and existing medical records accessible for your first visit
Arrange private health insurance early rather than waiting for a medical need
Some visa categories require proof of health insurance for application or renewal

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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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