Taking a MacBook Pro to Thailand: Power needs

Question

I will be using my MacBook Pro in Thailand. Someone suggested that I need a surge protector. Do I need to use one? Also, do I need an adapter/transformer for 240V? Thanks.

Answer 1

I have been to Thailand (Bangkok) and stayed at a guest house for a few days before heading into Burma (Myanmar). I stayed in a room with a mat on the floor (common) and a light that sometimes worked. Not sure of your travel experiences or actual destinations, but be prepared for the worst when it comes to stability in systems we take for granted (like electricity).
Not sure where you will be staying, but it is not necessarily a leap in reality to consider that you may not have power access (via outlet) immediately available to you. Also, depending on where you are, you might want to expect many brown-outs / surges so would agree with the idea of getting a good adapter and surge protector.
I would get them here - before you go. I always viewed Bangkok as the Wild Wild West of the Far East; where just about anything is possible and just about anything is for sale - but many countries such as Thailand, although they may offer fine top of the line products in the right places, also tend to deal in may sub-par products of suspicious origin and quality - in that sense kind of like New York .
If I was able to change $5000 in US travelers checks to Thai baht (Burma was reported to take travelers checks but we gathered info from someone coming out that was no longer the case) in a side street transaction with a money changer on a Sunday in Bannock, then I would expect you could also find what you need there, but better to be prepared. Not to digress (think I already did), but I still have a business card from that trip "Mr. Slim, Dream Merchant" - the guy spoke almost perfect "John Wayne" - learned his English from watching the old cowboy movies. I greatly enjoyed the trip, hope you do also.