Moving House in Thailand

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Moving House in Thailand

When moving home in Thailand, like many countries, the burden can be reduced with a little planning. Here are some reminders of who to inform and what needs to be done to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

Residence/Employment Permits

Immigration and labour offices must be notified of changes of address. It is usual practice for employers to relay this information to these departments so give as much notice as possible.

If this is not done by the employer contact the local office of:

• Thailand Immigration Bureau
• Ministry of Labour

Rented Accommodation

Landlords in Thailand usually control utilities and will therefore require advance notification of departure.

Check with all rental tenant agreements for notice requirements.

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page Renting a House or Apartment in Thailand

Driving Licences & Vehicle Registration (Blue and Green Books)

The local Department of Land Transport Office should be notified of changes to residential address if the move is permanent. The car registration document and driving licence will be changed to show the new address. A visit to the local office is required with proof of the change of address.

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Exchanging a Driving Licence

Utilities – Electricity, Gas & Water

If renting, the landlord is usually responsible for these services and it is best for the landlord to organise the connection or disconnection of services.

Both water and electricity companies require up to a week's advance notice for connection or disconnection. At present there is no facility for arranging this online, so a visit or telephone call to the local office will be necessary. This will generally be easier if a Thai-speaking person can help.

Gas is provided in cylinders which can be taken when moving (unless moving out of the country).

Electricity

In Thailand, all energy-related organisations operate under a decentralised structure.

To connect or disconnect power to a home the resident will need to contact the local government office responsible for electricity. The following documents are required:

• Passport or ID Card
• House Registration Document (Tabien Baan) or the land title (Chanote) or the Condo title deed
• In rental accommodation: a letter from the landlord, copy of Tabien Baan and copy of ID card
• Last bill (in case of disconnection)

Contact details of local offices can be found by calling the following numbers.

• The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (in Bangkok)
  Tel: 1130
  Website
• Provincial Electricity Authority (elsewhere)
  Tel: 1129
  Website

Water

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority of Thailand (MWA) is responsible for supplying water in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces.

• MWA
  Tel: 1125
  Website

In order to arrange connection or disconnection the following documents should be taken in person to the local office.

• Passport or ID Card
• House Registration Document (Tabien Baan) or the land title (Chanote) or the Condo title deed
• In rental accommodation: a letter from the landlord, copy of Tabien Baan and copy of ID card
• Last bill (in case of disconnection)

Outside of Bangkok the Provincial Waterworks Authority is responsible for supplying mains water. Many homes in Thailand outside of Bangkok and other major cities use ground or surface water for their main source of water supply through the use of holding tanks or sunken wells.

• PWA
  Tel: 1567
  Website

For connection or disconnection the same documents as above are required.

Telephone

All telephone suppliers, both mobile and fixed line will require notice for address changes (check with the provider for notice requirements). Usually about one week's notice is required. All telephone companies have English-speaking representatives who will organise changes. Fixed line telephone numbers can be kept if moving within the same neighbourhood, while mobile numbers can be used all over the country.

Foreigners who wish to connect a new line or re-connect an existing one should visit the chosen company office and provide the following documentation if they own or lease the property:

• Passport
• Valid visa
• Residence confirmation from Thailand Immigration or Embassy
• Work Permit

For those who rent a property, a letter from the landlord and a copy of their House Registration document (Tabien Baan) is also required, although it is normally easier for the landlord to arrange a telephone connection.

A visit to the office is generally required for address changes, but it may be possible by telephone. Check with the service provider. At present it is not possible to do it online.

• TOT
  Call centre: 1100
• TT&T
  Call centre: 1103
• True
  Call centre: 02 900 9000
• AIS
  Call centre: 1175
• DTAC
  Call centre: 1678
• True Move (formerly Orange)
  Call centre: 1331

Television

Free-to-air television in Thailand is available in most of the country's regions at no cost, therefore requires no change of address notification. A licence is not required for television sets in Thailand.

TrueVisions UBC satellite TV require notice of two to three days to remove the existing satellite dish and decoder box and another day for re-installation at the new property.

• TrueVisions UBC
  Tel: 02 725 2525
  Website

To connect or disconnect, copies of passport and House Registration document (Tabian Baan) or the land title (Chanote) or the Condo title deed are required. If it is a rental property the landlord has to provide copies of their ID card and proof of ownership.

If relocating to a new province a new set will be provided. There is a fee for transfer. Documents required are:

• Passport
• Account number
• House registration papers (Tabien Baan from the owner of the house or Certificate or Letter of Residence issued by Thai Immigration or the person's embassy)

Post

Thailand Post has local post offices around Thailand that can re-direct mail to a designated new address within Thailand. This is a free service, however, the forms have to be renewed at the Post Office every month for as long as the person requires the service.

Taxation & Other Bodies

A tax payer has a duty to notify the Revenue Department of any changes to personal details.

• For more information: Click here

Insurance Documents

Home, car, health and all insurance policies will require notice of change of address. It is possible to move these policies but some changes will be needed to home insurance due to the difference in home values in different provinces.

Banks

All relevant banks will have to be informed of the change of address. In Thailand, it is not possible to use a passbook signature at a branch other than the one where the account was opened, therefore it is necessary to open a new account in the new location.

Schools

Notice must be given to the school so that the child's schooling records can be prepared.