How to charge the iPhone 5S when staying in Thailand

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPhone 5S with a Thai power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter, powering the iPhone 5S using a two pinned Type A USB charger and how to recharge the iPhone 5S using a Type B power charger

Thai power outlet

Various region codes and plugs can often be confusing when planning to travel to a different country if you've never visited before. These instructions were written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 5S when you're going abroad.When you're travelling to Thailand these instructions show how to supply power to your iPhone 5S using their Type B, A or C 220 volt 50Hz plug outlets, most Thai normally use Type B sockets in their plug outlets. If visiting Thailand from another region please make sure the iPhone 5S can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If the iPhone 5S originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts ensure the iPhone 5S is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to prevent the device from being damaged whilst powering it. If you are planning to stay in a Thai destination like Bangkok please read the Thai Wikipedia page [1] for more information on visiting the area. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Thailand

Can the iPhone 5S be used in Thailand?

You can connect the iPhone 5S to a Thai power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 5S in Thailand?

When you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 5S or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for Thailand to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different standards of power outlets in Thailand (types B, A and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by changing the included heads over. If your model of iPhone 5S supports Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, and additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters this will also allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual travel adapters on your trip to Thailand. Only packing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of travel adapters can be used when you return home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers with only a single wall outlet.

We suggest buying an adaptable power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Thailand

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Thailand and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Thailand.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Thailand. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 5S in Thailand?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Thai power outlet

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 5S from a Thai power outlet with the Lightning Apple connector and a Type A power charger.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 5S using a Thai power outlet you will need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone 5S.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 adjacent slots.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. You can find the Lightning connector on your iPhone 5S situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5S.
  4. Switch on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 5S will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Thai power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a Thai power outlet

Using the Lightning Apple connector and a Type B power charger to power your iPhone 5S from a Thai power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone 5S using a Thai power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone 5S.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 slots with a hole below for the ground pin.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. You can find the Lightning connector on your iPhone 5S situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5S.
  4. Switch on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 5S will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a Thai power outlet

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Thai power outlet

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPhone 5S with a Thai power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 5S using a Thai power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone 5S.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 adjacent holes.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. You can find the Lightning connector on your iPhone 5S situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5S.
  4. Switch on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is recharging taking between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Thai power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Thai Wikipedia page
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  5. USB to Apple Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  6. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  10. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..