A reader asked for some tips on things to do in preparation for moving to Thailand, and what I thought were important items to bring.  Here are some things I came up with.

WHAT TO DO

Get a PO Box, or use a friend’s address, and have all your mail delivered to it.  You don’t want mail going to your Thai address, as it may not arrive.  Have someone in the US pick up, go threw your mail, and let you know about important items that require your attention, or need forwarding to Thailand.  While it’s more expensive, I’ve found shipping items by Fedex to be a reliable way of getting things sent to me.  The last thing you want is for valuables to get lost in transit, such as new credit cards…ask me how I know this.  I assume similar companies do just as well, but my only experience is with Fedex.  I do know that UPS and DHL are also servicing Thailand.

Make sure you have your banking in order.  Ideal is to have things set up so you can manage wire transfers from Thailand.  Of course, on-line banking is a must.

Inform your credit card companies of the move, so they can place a permanent record in your file.  This will prevent their fraud alarms from going off all the time.  Make sure to specify you want a permanent notation made to your file or they may just make it temporary, assuming you are vacationing.

Arrange with your accountant a system for doing tax returns from Thailand.  This may require having the friend that’s going through your mail hold onto and forward any tax related documents to your accountant.

If planning to stay here on a retirement visa, it might actually be a little easier to get it after arriving in Thailand.  While in your home country try and secure a long term tourist visa, so you have plenty of time to deal with getting the more permanent retirement visa after relocating to Thailand.

While it’s not absolutely critical you do this before leaving, writing a will and having pre paid return transportation of your remains are important considerations.  This takes a huge burden off your family’s shoulders.

I don’t advise bringing pets.  If you have one or more, start working on finding them a new home as early as possible.  The last thing you want to do is drop them at a shelter.

WHAT TO BRING

Bring all the documents necessary to get a new passport while in Thailand.  A certified copy of your birth certificate comes to mind.

Write down the customer service numbers for your cards and put them in a place separated from the cards.  This way, if your cards get stolen or lost you’ll have a way of contacting the banks.

Bring a valid US drivers license, one that will not expire any time soon.  It’s much easier to get a Thai DL if yours is not expired.  The Thai DL will be useful for identification purposes in many situations where you’re only other option would be a passport.

Put together a special photo album of important memories - family, friends, pets, your home, cars, boats, and so on.  Also include photos of you at younger ages, as the boys are fascinated by them.  Depending on your lead time, many of these photos might best be taken specifically for this album.  You may find it more practical to shoot most, if not all, of the photos with a digital camera.  Then make prints after arriving in Thailand.  This will save precious space in your luggage.  Putting together an album like this is something I wish I had done.

Buy a Skype cordless phone and get it working on the computer you plan to bring.  This way you can comfortably make and receive calls from the US.  Set up a Skype In phone number so people not on the Internet can call you and it will ring on your Skype phone.

Bring plenty of condoms and lube, as they are of better quality and fit than you will find here in Thailand.

MOBILE PHONE

If you have a nice mobile phone, and it’s not compatible with Thailand, give it to a friend.  When moving to Thailand I stopped in another state for a week to visit family before continuing on to my final destination.  I still needed a phone during that time, so I picked up a cheap throw away from 7 Eleven.  Once in Thailand I tossed it in the trash.

LEAVING ITEMS BEHIND

In all likelihood there will be items you do not want to bring, but still want to hold onto.  Pack these items as if they are to be shipped long-distance.  Make sure to put something inside that will protect from moisture damage.   Then arrange to store them with a friend, family member or rented storage.  The reason I suggest packing these items for a long-distance move is things change over time, so you want to make sure your positions can be safely shipped to a different location.  You also don’t want to worry about someone else packing them properly.

OTHER

A side from condoms and lube avoid packing consumables you think might not be available here in Thailand.  The fact is you are moving here and those items will eventually get used up anyway.  Better is to save valuable space in your luggage for more important items.  Remember, you are moving here, not visiting.

Contact the airline you will be using and find out what the cost is for going over your weight limit with luggage.  You may find it’s worth the extra bucks to bring additional items with you, rather than trying to have them shipped later.

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