Thailand is quickly becoming the most popular travel destination for American remote workers. Although a long flight, it's highly coveted for its difference in culture and cheap cost of living.
Your gateway to the East requires a valid passport. Not only that, there is a grace period of holding your passport defined by the Thailand government. Generally you should budget for 6 months of waiting time if you don't already have your passport to be allowed entry. You'll want to read the rules at the Thailand embassy website.
So how about your electronics? Luckily, Thailand power outlets are compatibly with cables Americans are accustomed to using. Your phone and laptop will work just fine, as will most digital devices. Other "dumb" devices, such as a hair dryer, will not work since they do not have internal power converters. Typically you'll just want to bring your phone and laptop and leave the rest behind.
Your health is important! You can't take advantage of the sights and scenery if you are sick in Thailand. Technically, at time of writing, the Thailand government doesn't require any vaccines from American travelers. However, this is subject to change and you should check both the Thailand embassy and the American CDC organization for required and recommended vaccines. See a doctor before leaving.
Don't pack too many clothes. In fact, you'll probably want to pack way less than you are intending on. Packing more than a week of clothes is not recommended! Try to consolidate everything into a single suitcase to make your trip a comfortable one. Laundry services are everywhere, you'll have no trouble making sure your clothes are clean at all times. You'll also want to pack for tropical weather, and a single pair of pants to get into holy areas.
Some culture differences exist, but for the most part there shouldn't be any culture shock for an American. The tourist areas are rife with those trying to take advantage of the strong American dollar. It's very common to run into many scams to get foreigners to pay more for boat rides, tuk-tuk rides, or food. The good news is you won't get scammed by much and will eventually learn the real price of things.
English is spoken by most Thailand people, but not fluently. Basic words can be used in most situations, with the more difficult situations being explaining an address or location to taxi drivers. As a result it's a good idea to have a translation app or a taxi hailing app to get around the language barrier.
In general Thailand is a very safe place to be for an American. Enjoy areas such as Bangkok, Koh Phi Phi, Chang Mai, and others! Try to book your trip for 2 or more weeks to fully enjoy the experience.
Your gateway to the East requires a valid passport. Not only that, there is a grace period of holding your passport defined by the Thailand government. Generally you should budget for 6 months of waiting time if you don't already have your passport to be allowed entry. You'll want to read the rules at the Thailand embassy website.
So how about your electronics? Luckily, Thailand power outlets are compatibly with cables Americans are accustomed to using. Your phone and laptop will work just fine, as will most digital devices. Other "dumb" devices, such as a hair dryer, will not work since they do not have internal power converters. Typically you'll just want to bring your phone and laptop and leave the rest behind.
Your health is important! You can't take advantage of the sights and scenery if you are sick in Thailand. Technically, at time of writing, the Thailand government doesn't require any vaccines from American travelers. However, this is subject to change and you should check both the Thailand embassy and the American CDC organization for required and recommended vaccines. See a doctor before leaving.
Don't pack too many clothes. In fact, you'll probably want to pack way less than you are intending on. Packing more than a week of clothes is not recommended! Try to consolidate everything into a single suitcase to make your trip a comfortable one. Laundry services are everywhere, you'll have no trouble making sure your clothes are clean at all times. You'll also want to pack for tropical weather, and a single pair of pants to get into holy areas.
Some culture differences exist, but for the most part there shouldn't be any culture shock for an American. The tourist areas are rife with those trying to take advantage of the strong American dollar. It's very common to run into many scams to get foreigners to pay more for boat rides, tuk-tuk rides, or food. The good news is you won't get scammed by much and will eventually learn the real price of things.
English is spoken by most Thailand people, but not fluently. Basic words can be used in most situations, with the more difficult situations being explaining an address or location to taxi drivers. As a result it's a good idea to have a translation app or a taxi hailing app to get around the language barrier.
In general Thailand is a very safe place to be for an American. Enjoy areas such as Bangkok, Koh Phi Phi, Chang Mai, and others! Try to book your trip for 2 or more weeks to fully enjoy the experience.
About the Author:
These days it's common to find remote working jobs to both travel and work in tandem. This allows travelers to keep a solid income, but also enjoy the beautiful Thailand country during off hours.