As early as possible:

  • Start learning about your new location. The people, the culture, the city.
  • Check your passport is up-to date (and renew it if it’s not!). Most countries (including Thailand), require that you have a minimum of 6 months validity remaining to allow you into the country
  • Start thinking about your furniture & personal effects. Which items do you store, sell, or plan to bring?
  • Talk to one of our relocation specialists, to get detailed advice on packing, shipping, insurance options and any location-specific requirements you need to do for immigration.
  • If you require help with making an application for a work permit or visa, please contact us to find out how we can assist you
  • If you have pets to ship, we are able to assist you with a door to door service or put you in contact with a professional pet relocation service provider. This is also a good time to discuss with your vet the required vaccinations and health certificates that are required.

Six weeks before the move:

  • Confirm your travel arrangements and flight details.
  • Organise temporary accommodation for the first month you arrive. Please contact us if you require any assistance with information or booking suitable accommodation.
  • Get any vaccinations up to date for yourself, your children or your pets. Check with your medical professionals to find out what maybe required.
  • Check to see if your health care insurance provider will cover you abroad, if not take out a new policy. A reputable company that specialises in expatriate health insurance is William Russell based in the UK.

A month before moving:

  • Get an international driving permit if you need to drive a car abroad.
  • Arrange any insurance to cover the move of your belongings. This is normally available as a service through your moving company.
  • Cancel any memberships or subscriptions (fitness, phone, cable TV).
  • Arrange to have your mail redirected.
  • Make sure all of your finances in order, and close unnecessary accounts.
  • Discuss with your family lawyer any matters such as wills, power of attorney, property, inheritance taxes, tax liabilities in your home country and in Thailand. If you have school-age children, you should consider discussing a legal guardianship with your family & lawyer.

Two weeks before moving:

  • Organise your utility meters (gas/water/electricity) to be read on the day of your move.
  • Notify your bank of your new address (or country), so that your bank and credit cards will work when you arrive.
  • Make sure your moving company confirms the moving date, and it fits with all other plans.
  • Get all of your important documents together (birth and marriage certificates, bank statements, education certificates, professional certificates, school records from schools if you have children), and have copies in a safe place.
  • Get any foreign currency you need on arrival.
  • Book any short term accommodation or hotels that will be required in your current location during or after the packing up and before your departure flight

1-2 days before moving:

  • Pack the items you will take with you. Clothes, travel documents, passports, currency, medicine and toiletries. Put them in a safe place somewhere in the house where they will not be packed in error by the packing company
  • Eat or give away anything that’s remaining in your fridge and  freezer
  • Defrost both your fridge and freezer.

Moving day:

  • Check that there is nothing left in any of the wardrobes, cupboards, loft, basement, or drawers before the removal vehicle leaves.
  • Turn off the power and the water supply, lock up your home and return the keys to the real estate agent
  • Relax, jump on a plane and enjoy the flight to Thailand!