Nothing replaces walking a Thai factory floor. This guide gives you a 7-day sourcing-trip itinerary designed to visit 5–8 factories, close 3 qualified suppliers, and cost under $3,500 all-in (excluding flights) for 2026.
Trip Budget (2026, per person)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hotel Bangkok (mid-range Sukhumvit) | $85–140/night |
| Local flight BKK ↔ Chiang Mai | $60–110 round-trip |
| Grab / taxi + driver day-hire | $70/day |
| Interpreter (English↔Thai) | 20–180/day |
| Meals | $40/day |
| SIM card + hotspot | 5 |
| 7-day total | ~$2,400–3,500 |
7-Day Itinerary Template
Day 1 (Mon) — Arrive Bangkok, prep
- Land BKK, hotel check-in
- Meet interpreter + agent, review factory dossier
- Confirm next-day appointments in writing
Day 2 (Tue) — Bangkok cluster #1 (Bang Na / Samut Prakan)
- 2 factory visits (morning + afternoon)
- Full audit checklist (see below)
- Debrief with agent at hotel
Day 3 (Wed) — Eastern Economic Corridor (Chonburi / Rayong)
- 1 factory visit (drive 2 hrs)
- Lunch with factory owner (relationship-building)
- Return BKK evening
Day 4 (Thu) — Fly to Chiang Mai (northern cluster)
- Afternoon flight
- 1 factory visit if craft/food/cosmetics
Day 5 (Fri) — Chiang Mai / Lamphun
- 2 factory visits
- Northern industrial estate tour
- Fly back BKK evening
Day 6 (Sat) — Sample review + trade fair (if in season)
- Consolidate physical samples in hotel
- Visit trade fair (THAIFEX May, STYLE Bangkok Oct)
Day 7 (Sun) — Wrap-up + shortlist
- Score each factory (rubric below)
- Sign LOIs / NDAs with top 2–3
- Depart
Factory Audit Checklist (Walk-Through)
- Company registration (DBD Corporate No.) matches quote
- Production line matches product category (no "borrowing" lines)
- Workforce present, PPE worn, orderly floor
- QC station with calibrated tools
- Warehouse: raw materials + finished goods separated
- Compliance certs on wall: ISO 9001, BSCI, Sedex, GMP as relevant
- Fire safety, exits marked
- Meet the actual QC manager + production planner
- Ask to see 3 recent shipping documents (BL, invoice)
Scoring Rubric
Score each factory 1–5 on: Capability, Quality systems, Communication, Price, Cultural fit. Anyone scoring <3 on any dimension = disqualify.
Cultural Tips
- Bring small gifts from your country (cookies, tea) for owner
- Business cards — offer with both hands, take time to read theirs
- Lunch is business — expect 1.5 hours, don't rush
- Wear closed-toe shoes to factory (safety)
- April = Songkran shutdown (avoid); January/February = ideal weather
FAQ
Q: Can TUSKO organize the whole trip? A: Yes — we handle factory shortlist, appointments, interpreter, driver, and lead the audits. Typical package
,800–2,800 for 5-day trip. Contact us.Q: Do I need a visa for Thailand? A: US/UK/EU/AU passports get 60-day visa-exempt entry (2026). Bring hotel booking + return flight proof.
Q: What's the best time of year? A: November–February (cool dry season). Avoid April (Songkran shutdown 12–16) and September–October (peak monsoon).
Related: First-Time Buyer Checklist · Northern Thailand Sourcing · Songkran & CNY Lead Time