Leaving Phuket, or Thailand altogether, means selling a lot in a few weeks: the scooter or car, furniture, appliances, kids things. Start about four weeks before your flight and list the big items first, because they take the longest to sell and to collect.
Two things can't be done alone: the vehicle transfer, which you do with the buyer at the Land Transport Office, and the final inspection with your landlord, which decides your deposit. Put both in the calendar early.
4 weeks before you leave
List the vehicle, furniture and appliances firstBig items take the longest to sell, and buyers need time to find a truck, so post them now with clear photos. Kids things come next and small stuff goes last.
Price it against similar listingsSet the price a little under what the same model is listed for right now: a fair price usually sells within days. Say in the listing whether it is pickup only or you can deliver.
Check the name and province in the vehicle bookIf the green or blue registration book still shows a shop's or a friend's name, sort it out with them now, because the transfer has to come from the name in the book. If the plates are from another province, ask the Land Transport Office where the transfer can be done.
Agree the move-out inspection date with your landlordGive notice the way your lease says and fix the day of the final inspection, ideally a day or two before you fly. Ask how the deposit comes back: cash, a Thai bank account or a transfer abroad.
2 weeks before
Transfer the vehicle at the Land Transport OfficeGo with the buyer to the Phuket Land Transport Office and bring the scooter or car with its registration book, because the vehicle is inspected there. Ask the office for the current list of documents before you go.
Get paid on transfer day, at the officeBy law, seller and buyer have 15 days to report a transfer, and until it is recorded the vehicle stays in your name. Don't hand over the book with signed forms and leave the rest to the buyer: take the money at the office and photograph the updated book.
Sell kids things now, hand them over laterBuyers will wait for a crib, a stroller or a car seat if they know the date. List them now with the pickup day in the listing, along with the small things you can live without.
Meet buyers safely and get paid on pickupMeet in daylight in a public place, or at home with someone else there, and take cash or a bank transfer when the buyer picks up. Check that the money is in your account, since transfer slips can be faked, and never pay a stranger anything upfront.
The last days
Walk through the place with your landlordDuring the final inspection, take photos and a short video of every room, appliance and wall. Photograph the electricity and water meters and write down the final readings together.
Get the deposit terms in writingWrite down what comes off the deposit, if anything, the last electricity and water bill, and the date the money comes back. Keep the lease, bills and receipts until it arrives.
Give away or donate what is leftA day or two before you go, offer the leftovers free to neighbors, security or the cleaners. Soi Dog Foundation asks for bedding, especially blankets, but check with them first what they can use.
Keep your passport and papers in hand luggagePut the passport, lease, deposit receipt and vehicle transfer papers in one folder that stays with you. Don't pack it in a box that is being shipped or given away.
It can work if you already have a buyer whose documents are ready and you can both get to the Phuket Land Transport Office before your flight. Bring the scooter, because it is inspected there, and ask the office for the current document list first. Seller and buyer have 15 days to report the transfer, but don't leave it to the buyer after you are gone: until it is recorded, the scooter stays in your name.
When should I get my rental deposit back?
Agree the amount and the date at the final inspection and get it in writing. If your landlord rents out housing as a business, Thailand's Office of the Consumer Protection Board says the deposit comes back within 7 days of moving out if there is no damage, or within 14 days minus only the damage you caused. Normal wear can't be deducted, and the board's hotline is 1166 if the money doesn't come back.
What do I do with things nobody buys?
In your last week, lower the price or bundle small things into one lot, like a box of kitchen things for one price. Whatever is left on the last day, give to neighbors, security or the cleaners, and ask Soi Dog Foundation whether they can use your blankets and bedding. Don't leave anything in the rental unless your landlord agrees.