The first month abroad can feel like a lot of admin landing at once. It's much easier if you do things in the right order. Here's the sequence I'd follow, with links to the deeper guides for each bit.
Before you fly
Week one: get connected and grounded
Weeks two to four: settle in
The one that's easy to forget
If you're staying long term, you report your address to immigration every 90 days. Put a reminder in your phone now so it doesn't sneak up on you.
Don't rush it
You don't need everything sorted in week one. Get connected, get a base, and let the rest come together. The people who settle best treat the first month as setup, not a sprint, and lean on the local community to fill in the gaps.
FAQ
What should I do first when I move to Thailand?
Before you fly, sort your visa and fill in the free Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). In your first week, get a SIM, find your feet in one area and look at monthly rentals. Over the following weeks, sort a scooter and licence, a longer-term place, insurance, and a bank account if your visa allows.
Do I need to book accommodation before arriving in Thailand?
Book your first few nights, but don't sign a long lease from abroad. Stay somewhere central for a week or two, get a feel for the area, then commit to a monthly rental once you're sure.
What's the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
It's a free online form (TDAC) that every foreign arrival must complete within about 72 hours of arrival, at tdac.immigration.go.th. It's not a visa, just a required immigration step.
Author
Julian Nevin is the founder and editor of Modern Expat Magazine and the Nobo app. He writes from Phuket about expat life, remote work and the realities of building a life in Thailand.
