Research visa options for your nationality, age, and situation — do not rely on outdated forum posts
Get a cost estimate for your first three months based on the city you're targeting
Check passport validity — Thailand requires at least 6 months, and visa processing can take time
Start getting health insurance quotes for international coverage — this takes longer than expected
Open a no-foreign-transaction-fee bank account or credit card if you don't have one
Research the neighborhood you're targeting — areas vary enormously within the same city
Decide on a test period vs permanent move — coming for 1–3 months first is almost always worth it
Lock in health insurance — do not leave without it
Notify your home bank of the move so your cards work abroad
Set up Wise (formerly TransferWise) or similar for low-cost international transfers
Gather any documents you might need — birth certificate, marriage certificate, proof of income, pension letters — some visa paths require these and getting them takes time
Book short-term accommodation for your first 4–6 weeks — do not sign a 1-year lease before you arrive
Arrange any prescriptions or medical supplies you'll need for the first few months
Sort home country obligations — cancel subscriptions, notify relevant agencies, arrange mail forwarding
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance for the flight and first weeks
Get an international driving permit if you plan to drive (and understand that motorbikes require a motorcycle license)
Download offline maps for your destination city
Have $500–$1,000 in cash (USD or your home currency) as an emergency backup
Make copies of all important documents — passport, insurance, visa — store in email and cloud
Research local SIM card options — AIS, DTAC, and True Move all have tourist and long-term plans
Get a local SIM card — essential for navigation, banking, and daily apps
Open a Thai bank account — Kasikorn (KBank) and Bangkok Bank are the most expat-friendly
Register your address with your condo or landlord — required for some visa extensions
Locate the nearest private hospital and understand what your insurance covers
Download local apps — Grab (taxi/food), LINE (messaging), Foodpanda or GrabFood
Check in with your embassy or consulate if it's relevant to your visa or residency plans
Find permanent housing — now that you've seen neighborhoods in person, you can make an informed choice
Sort your visa situation if on a tourist entry — consult an immigration professional, not a forum
Understand the local healthcare setup — private hospitals, clinics, and what the costs look like
Build a realistic budget based on what things actually cost, not estimates
Connect with the expat community — Facebook groups for your city, local meetups
The things people get wrong
Signing a year lease before you arrive
You do not know which neighborhood suits you until you've spent time there. Book a month of short-term accommodation first. You will find better housing once you're on the ground.
Skipping health insurance
Thailand has excellent private hospitals. They also send real bills. A serious accident without insurance can cost $20,000–$100,000+. Get comprehensive international health insurance before you land.
Leaving the visa to chance
Tourist entries are not a long-term visa strategy. Your visa path affects your costs, your stress, and your ability to legally stay. Sort this before you go or in your first weeks.
Underestimating setup costs
First month includes deposits (usually 2–3 months' rent), furniture if unfurnished, SIM cards, banking setup, and unexpected costs. Budget significantly more for month one than your ongoing monthly estimate.
This checklist is generic. Yours shouldn't be.
The Thailand Move Check report includes a personalized preparation checklist built from your quiz answers — based on your city, visa situation, lifestyle, and risk flags. Not a generic list. Yours.
Get your personalized checklist →