Charging the iPhone 5C when planning a trip to Thailand

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 5C with a Thai power outlet using a USB Lightning Apple cable and a 3 pin Type B power adapter, how to power the iPhone 5C using a 2 pin Type A power charger and how to power the iPhone 5C using a 2 pin Europlug Type C USB charger

Thai power outlet

Different voltages and sockets can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of standards used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power your iPhone 5C . This guide has been written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 5C when you're going abroad.The following guide tells you exactly what you'll need to power your iPhone 5C when going to Thailand using the types B, A or C 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets, please note Type B power outlets will be used by a majority of Thai. You'll find power will vary from country to country therefore we suggest reading the Asia page for a complete list of regions and countries. When travelling to Thailand from a different country please double check the iPhone 5C can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPhone 5C was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) make sure that your iPhone 5C is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power converter to stop the device from being damaged when charging it. If you plan on staying at a city such as Bangkok or Sriracha we also suggest reading the Thailand Wikipedia page [1] for more details. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in Thailand

Can you use the iPhone 5C in Thailand?

You can connect the iPhone 5C to a Thai power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 5C in Thailand?

When travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPhone 5C then the best international travel adapter for Thailand is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different types of power outlets that Thai use (B, A and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the heads. If your iPhone 5C can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times by using one of these USB power adapters along with compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

Unlike other adapters having a four port adapter will allow you to charge more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers. By only packing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage. Because of their versatility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible travel charger online; the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Thailand

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 5C, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Thailand and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America going to Thailand using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 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 power adapter for the iPhone 5C in Thailand?

Powering the iPhone 5C with a Thai power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Using a Lightning connector with a Type A USB charger to charge your iPhone 5C with a Thai power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone 5C from a Thai power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually supplied with your iPhone 5C by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Thai power outlet. You can recognise this power supply by the two slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Thai power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 5C with a Thai power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 5C with a Thai power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 3 pin Type B power adapter.

  1. To charge your iPhone 5C from a Thai power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the cable is typically already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Thai power outlet. This plug supply (sometimes known as the Type B power outlet [6]) is identified by the 2 thin slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades with a semicircle hole below for the earth pin.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5C.
  4. Turn on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 5C screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging which should take roughly one to four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Thai power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 5C with a Thai power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions showing you how to power the iPhone 5C from a Thai power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple cable and a two pin Europlug Type C power adapter.

  1. To charge the iPhone 5C from a Thai power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually supplied with your iPhone 5C.
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Thai power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two holes adjacent to each other.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Thai power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Thailand 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..