Outlets in Thailand - parameters of the power grid

Travelers, especially those going to exotic countries, such as Thailand, traditionally have questions about everyday things. One of them is the peculiarities of power supply and power consumption in the region of the trip. We all carry with us electrical appliances that require constant power or periodic charging. At the same time, the parameters of the power grid often do not correspond to those to which we are accustomed.

For example, the voltage and frequency of the current running through the wires in your hotel room. Or the plugs on your laptop or hair dryer may not match the holes in the wall. Although those going to the Kingdom of Siam should not worry about these problems, it would be useful to know what the outlets in Thailand and whether you need to stock up on adapters and extension cords.

Mains voltage

In Thailand, the Euro-Asian standards for voltage and frequency of electric current are implemented. As a reminder, depending on the country, the parameters of the former vary between 220-240 V; the frequency is standard - 50 Hz.

The electricity running in the sockets in Thailand has the voltage we are accustomed to of 220 V. Therefore, all the appliances that we use in our country will also work when we travel.

What are the outlets in Thailand

If the mains voltage is about the same throughout Eurasia, the connection methods have different options. Recall that we use type C and F plugs/sockets (so called European types). Both plug types have 2 round contacts with a spacing of 19 mm between them.

Distinctions:

• C-plug is flat, without grounding;
• plug F - round, with grounding in the form of a metal clamp.

The C and F plugs fit both sockets and can be used interchangeably.

In Asia and America, other types of plugs are common: mainly A and B. Their feature is the flat contacts with a distance of 12.7 mm between them in the number of 2 (A) and 3 (B) pieces. In type B, the third upper contact is grounding. Accordingly, the type B plug cannot be connected to a type A socket.

Although Type C and F sockets as well as Type A and B sockets differ fundamentally in the shape of the pins and the distance between them, Thailand has made it possible to plug all types of plugs into the same socket. Thailand is a universal country!

Externally, to the "European" eye, these outlets look a little unusual:

• The holes in the socket have a bizarre shape in the form of an unfinished circle and a straight line;
• There is a third, upper hole for grounding plugs;
• The sockets are not "sunk" deep - usually, on the contrary, they are raised.

However, the above has to do with external aesthetics and does not prevent you from connecting any modern appliances bought or used in Europe or, for example, in China, to the Thai power grid.

Practical issues of energy consumption in Thailand

First, you should note that plugs from very old appliances, which were equipped with thinner pins, will "short" due to loose contact with the contact parts of the socket. But today no one seems to have such appliances from Soviet times left. If so, you do not need to take them to Thailand. Or bring with you the appropriate adapter.

Outlets in Thailand do not have grounding for type F plugs (with a grounding metal clamp). But in most cases this is not important, unless, of course, you are going to sit wet and barefoot at a laptop with a metal case.

When going to Thailand, keep in mind that there is often only one outlet in a hotel room, and it may be in a very inconvenient place. An extension cord is a useful thing if, for example, you are going to simultaneously charge a device, watch TV and work on a laptop connected to the mains. You don't have to bring it with you: you can buy both an extension cord and various adapters in any supermarket.

Finally, the last thing to mention is that the electrical grid in Thailand is often not designed for a heavy load. So be careful not to use appliances with high power consumption at the same time, such as an electric kettle, microwave oven, and hair dryer.