Hi, I'm limiting my response simply to this issue of electricity. The three places you're traveling to are all 220V 50Hz. HKG uses British style plugs - these things are rather big; check with other posters as to the plugs you need for BKK and DPS. The adapters you need (ie, just so you can plug into the wall socket, doesn't convert voltage) are probably cheaper to buy in the places you are visiting than to buy in the US, but then again you might feel better just getting a kit from Radio Shack.

As for the voltage converter, you might not need it. Check the power pack for your notebook. If it says 100-240V 50-60Hz (look on the label), it will work plugged directly into the local outlets in Asia, you just need the adapter that goes between the US plug and the local outlet. Not so sure about your cell phone charger though; it seemed to me that a lot of US cell phone chargers are just 110-120V which won't help you out here. In any case FWIW, the only US phones that would work in Asia are T-Mobile and ATT because they are GSM and Asia is nearly all GSM (including your three places to visit). The others, eg Verizon, don't even bother bringing the phone here, they're on a different system.

As for VOIP, the others may have opinions - I'm SIN based so can't answer your question. However I will tell you I'm using a gadget called MajicJack that I got at Staples that lets me call North America numbers at a flat rate of $20 a year. This is a small gadget that goes into the USB port of my computer and works anywhere you can get broadband. There's other threads on FT (and outside) concerning this device; you should know that feelings about it are rabid for both supporters and detractors. However, I installed it on my notebook and it works well for me. Otherwise the alternative is to purchase prepaid phone cards (like what you'd find at Walgreens, Long's Drugs and the like by the various long distance companies hanging up with the Sears and Starbucks gift cards) to call home with. These are fairly common in the various countries in Asia and will be easy to find. Last idea is that if you do have a TMobile or ATT phone, get it unlocked, then bring the phone with you; pick up a local SIM card for each of the places you are visiting for your calls.

Actually, why not just use Skype on your computer? That would be the simplest answer (even though it seems you're uncertain this is the way to go).