How to charge your iPhone 4 from a power outlet in Thailand

A step-by-step guide showing how to charge the iPhone 4 from a Thai power outlet with a USB 30 pin cable and a three pin Type B USB adapter, how to recharge the iPhone 4 using a 2 pinned Type A power plug and charging the iPhone 4 using a Type C power charger

Thai power outlet

If packing for a trip it can be helpful to know if you'll be able to power any gadgets such as cell phones and laptop computers when you get there. But, by not knowing which power socket is used in Thailand you are more likely to bring the wrong charger, thereby leaving you having to buy or borrow a potentially expensive power adaptor when you need it. Complicated region codes and plugs can all cause confusion when planning on travelling to a different country especially for the first time traveller. This isn't as complex as it appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets being used in the world this guide shows exactly what you'll need to purchase in advance to power the iPhone 4 in Thailand. These instructions were specifically written to prevent visitors needing to worry if they can power their iPhone 4 when they're going to Thailand.If you're planning a vacation to Thailand this page has useful instructions showing how to power the iPhone 4 using their standard types B, A or C Thai 220 volt 50Hz plug outlets, you will find most Thai will normally use Type B sockets in their wall outlets. If travelling to Thailand from another region check your iPhone 4 can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure the iPhone 4 is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to prevent the device from being damaged whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4.

Charging the iPhone 4 in Thailand

Can the iPhone 4 be used in Thailand?

You can use the iPhone 4 in Thailand by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power charger for the iPhone 4 in Thailand?

If you are travelling to more than one country the best international travel power adapter for Thailand is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different types of plug sockets that Thai use (types B, A and C) and using a travel charger like this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the heads over. If your iPhone 4 is compatible with Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers and additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel adapters having a four port charger means you can charge more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power chargers or using up additional wall outlets. By only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones, tablets and e-readers and using only a single wall outlet.

We suggest buying this type of versatile travel adapter online. The travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Thailand

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 most popular compact power adapter for travellers originating from America visiting Thailand using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • 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 originating from North America using type B plugs and is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 ideal for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Thailand. [10] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPhone 4 in Thailand?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPhone 4 from a Thai power outlet

Using a USB 30 pin Apple connector with a Type A power charger to charge the iPhone 4 with a Thai power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPhone 4 from the Thai power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple should usually include the USB cable when you first purchase your iPhone 4).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the power supply. You can recognise the plug outlet by 2 thin adjacent slots next to each other for live and neutral blades.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 4 is recharging which takes around 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPhone 4 from a Thai power outlet

Powering the iPhone 4 with a Thai power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

A step-by-step guide showing how to charge the iPhone 4 from a Thai power outlet with a USB 30 pin cable and a three pin Type B USB adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 4 from the Thai power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple should typically include the USB cable when you first purchase your iPhone 4.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the Thai power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the 2 slots next to each other with a single hole below for the long earthed pin.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the mobile screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 4 is recharging taking roughly 60-240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4 with a Thai power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from a Thai power outlet

Using a USB 30-pin cable with a Type C USB adapter to charge your iPhone 4 from a Thai power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 4 from a Thai power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will normally include this cable with your iPhone 4).
  2. Begin by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. The plug supply (sometimes known as a Type C power outlet [8] or Europlug) is recognised by the 2 adjacent holes.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Switch on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from a Thai power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Thailand Wikipedia web 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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  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..