What Plug Adapter Do I Need For Thailand

What Plug Adapter Do I Need For Thailand? This question is usually asked by Thailand first timers or infrequent travellers.

Electrical Outlets in Thailand:

Thailand uses Type A, Type B, Type C, Type F and Thai Plugs.

Thai standard TIS 166-2549 wall socket includes a socket which will  accept Types A, B and C plugs as well as the Thai plug (which does not have an IEC classification letter).

As Thailand  has many international visitors many places are adopting “universal sockets“, these accept multiple plug types but meet no standards and are not classified by the IEC.

What Voltage is used in Thailand:

The Thailand electrical grid runs on 220 V 50 Hz.

What Adaptor do I need for Thailand:

Option One: Source your country of origin to Type C adaptor. This is the most common type in older Thai buildings. This is most likely the more expensive option, as adaptors plugs can be found everywhere in Thailand and for very cheap

Option Two: Worry about it when you get there. Go into 7 eleven and pick one up for most likely under ฿60 Bhat / $2

Option Three: Do nothing chances are you will not even need it.
Newer buildings, hotels, coffee shops, co working spaces now install TIS166-2549 sockets “Universal“.

Please note however.
Power cords with type A or B plugs which are rated at only 125 Volts may present a safety issue.

The above picture was taken from a Hotel in Hua Hin. The power to the room was via a power outlet from the outside hallway.

Additional Tip:

Many Thai hotels are now installing proximity card into the hotel rooms that switch off the electricity when you leave the room. This is very annoying! For example you arrive at the hotel with your laptop completely dead and your phone with one bar.

You plug them in and go out for a couple of hours to get something to eat. When you return you find that they did not charge at all.

Solution:

Many places have the fridge wired on a separate circuit. If this is the case just go into 7 eleven and purchase a power-board, preferably one with a long long cord.

Watch out for particularly evil hotels that hard wire the fridge right into the wall, using only twisting and duct tape.