# Power plug & outlet Type O

Type O is used exclusively in Thailand. (Click [here](https://docs.ifreeq.com/general-knowledge/electricity/plug-socket-and-voltage-by-country) for the full list of all countries of the world with their respective plugs/sockets)

![](https://2999784448-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MBlD-pGvqUEQDs9SdgH%2F-MBppruq8wKemPEqsfBl%2F-MBpqRYPMyb3b4yKzDIf%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=93e4bf6f-b8c2-4e33-a3bc-3984f7cd6193)

The type O plug, rated at 16 amps, is one of the official standards in Thailand. The standard is described in TIS 166-2549 (incidentally, the last four digits refer to the Buddhist year 2549, which corresponds to the year 2006 in the Gregorian calendar).

![All receptacles that are currently sold are hybrid ones (like this one), compatible with types A, B, C & O.](https://2999784448-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MBlD-pGvqUEQDs9SdgH%2F-MBppruq8wKemPEqsfBl%2F-MBpqYSfu7wDuy9NluHk%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=5e6f45d2-037b-4e8f-a919-9d84d6906434)

Type O consists of two power pins and an earth pin, which are round and have a 4.8 mm diameter. The power pins measure 19 mm in length, they have 10 mm long insulated sleeves and their centres are spaced 19 mm apart. The earth pin has a length of 21.4 mm. The centre-to-centre distance between the grounding pin and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the two power pins is 11.9 mm, which is exactly the same distance as in type B plugs. This is not a coincidence, since the *hybrid* version of this socket was designed to accommodate plug types A, B, C and O. In the long run, compatibility with American plugs is planned to be phased out, since the electrical network in Thailand operates at 230 V. For now, type O outlets only exist on paper. All sockets that are currently sold are hybrid ones, which are compatible with types plug types A, B, C and O.

Although they look similar, type O plugs are not interchangeable with the Israeli type H or the Danish type K power plugs. However, there is a very unsafe compatibility between type O sockets and type E/F plugs, which is why the Thai Government banned the sale of appliances fitted with E/F plugs. When used in Thailand, an E/F plug will not be grounded and when such a plug is partially pulled out, you will be able to touch the prongs while they are still live!

![For now, type O outlets only exist on paper. All sockets that are currently sold are hybrid ones.](https://2999784448-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MBlD-pGvqUEQDs9SdgH%2F-MBppruq8wKemPEqsfBl%2F-MBpqk7DbhKCmKMTekK6%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=16e08306-8dae-4ef1-a70e-ca4564788991)

As mentioned before, the type O plug and socket system was introduced in 2006, but can somebody please enlighten me as to why on earth a country would develop a whole new electric standard when there are several alternatives available? Standardizing on type F would have been self-evident: it is an extremely safe system and it is compatible with plug types C and E/F, which are frequently used in Thailand. As the Thai Government is going to phase out compatibility with the American plug types A and B anyway, why haven’t they adopted the type F standard, while at the same time allowing for a period of transition where hybrid B/F-receptacles as well as type F sockets may be installed? This is absolutely mind-boggling!