what to pack for a trip to thailand

Need a packing list for Thailand? Here's some packing tips about what yous tin can leave at home and what yous should make sure you bring to the Land of Smiles

Trying to piece of work out what you should put in your backpack before y'all travel to Thailand tin can be a bit daunting. Hither's a list of what I plant to be most useful during my own Thailand backpacking days, before I wound up living in Bangkok.

Before You Begin To Start Packing Stuff For Thailand…

Some of the most of import things you will need for your trip to Thailand won't actually be in your backpack. Make sure you've got these essentials for your trip sorted out – they all demand a chip of time before you plan to travel to sort out.

• Vaccinations – Check what injections you lot need to become or renew at to the lowest degree 8 weeks before you go to Thailand (commonly Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, typhoid and possibly rabies, plus peradventure malaria tablets, although they are usually not required)
• Travel Insurance – Brand sure yous take travel insurance that covers your full range of activities e.g. scuba diving (World Nomads backpacker travel insurance is recommended by Lonely Planet amongst others and tin can be bought immediately online)
• Flight Ticket – It pays to start looking well in advance for flights because sadly they only seem to become more expensive the closer you book to your flying time. Three months before you lot are due to fly is apparently the sweet spot for finding inexpensive flights – any before or subsequently and information technology gets more expensive. Compare flights online and also consult your local travel agent – they sometimes can unearth bargains websites can't.
• Passport – Ensure your passport is valid for at least a year and has plenty of blank pages. Also go a passport cover – they're cheap, and volition protect your passport from harm plus provide a handy place to stash tickets etc whilst in transit.
• Thai SIM carte du jour – it'southward much cheaper to switch over to a Thai SIM card on your telephone rather than use roaming from home. Yous can buy a Thai SIM card online with Klook and option it upward at the counter at the airport when you go far in Thailand. Alternatively yous purchase a SIM at one of the telecom shops at the airport or once y'all're in the city.
• Coach And Ferry Tickets – Thailand is a large country and if yous're heading to the islands chances at some point you will take a bus or ferry (or both). You can bank check charabanc and ferry times and prices besides as booking tickets online at useful ticket site 12go.asia. This is especially worth doing if you're travelling in peak season (December to January) as ferries tin sell out on specific days for certain routes. If you need help figuring out exactly where to go during your trip, check our Thailand Itineraries folio for suggestions of how to spend time in Bangkok, the beaches and the mountains.
• Exercise I Demand A Visa For Thailand? – Many nationalities do NOT demand a visa for Thailand – yous simply get in in Thailand and get a stamp that allows you to stay 30 days in Thailand. (This is technically known as a visa waiver stamp). See this official list for the total rundown of which nationalities practice not crave a visa to enter Thailand.
• Prescription Medicines – Take a full supply of any prescription medicines you require
• Vaping – be aware that vaping is currently illegal in Thailand. It sounds crazy but information technology'southward true. If yous are caught past Thai police using a vaping device it'southward possible you will exist fined on the spot and there is a maximum 10 year prison sentence. Google "vaping Thailand arrested" for examples of tourists who have previously got in trouble with the police in Thailand over vaping. Plenty of tourists bring vaping devices to Thailand and practice non have any problem during their stay, merely just be aware of the possible risks.
• Credit Cards and Debit Cards – Have credit cards and a debit card that will work in international ATMs and won't block you due to being accessed from Thailand.
• Certificate Scans – Take cellphone photos of your passport, driving license and all your credit cards, insurance info and any other of import documents and save them as JPEGs to your online e-mail account similar Gmail or Yahoo Mail. That mode if you lose any of your documents, you lot have copies of them bachelor anywhere with an internet connection – and on your telephone too. Likewise keep a list of the numbers of your banks etc that y'all demand to call to cancel your cards in your net email account.A quick fashion to exercise this is lay out all your cards on a tabular array face down and accept a photo with your cellphone. Every menu has the emergency contact number written on the dorsum so yous at present have an instant tape of all those numbers – but make certain your photo is not out of focus!
• A Well Made Backpack – Invest in a decent backpack brand like Osprey or similar that can hold all your stuff comfortably without crippling yous. You lot demand to brand sure the harness on the pack is going support the weight you're carrying – the weight should be supported on your hips rather than your shoulders. See Amazon for bargain priced backpacks, although you may well desire to go to your local store and actually try different models on rather than ordering unseen online.
• Travel Cubes – whatever haversack or other type of luggage y'all decide to travel with, investing in some travel cubes to make information technology easy to unpack and repack quickly volition save you lot a huge corporeality of time and hassle. Past group all your clothes into iii or four travel cubes, you lot tin can rapidly unpack to find something and repack but every bit quick, rather than emptying a mess of clothes on the floor and having to sift through them. If y'all're strapped for cash, you can do the same thing with big Ziploc bags or just plain old carrier numberless – become different colors so y'all can tell them apart easily.

• Wash Bag – having a decent, waterproof pack to shop all your toiletries is invaluable. Option a well-designed ane that opens upwardly to let you easily access just the items y'all demand rather than having to dump everything on the bathroom flooring, and that'southward also durable enough to stop whatsoever leakage to the rest of your baggage if your shampoo or soap decides to explode while in transit. The Magictodoor travel kit is a thoughtfully designed, and inexpensive, example of a skillful wash bag.
• Travel Wallet – With all the documents and bits of newspaper you need to carry around for travelling – passport, boarding cards, hotel reservations, plus cash, credit cards etc – having a identify to stash all of it tin be invaluable – provided, of course, you keep the wallet safe. A travel wallet you can hang around your cervix and and so keep subconscious under dress is favoured by many, while there are various options for storing in trouser pockets as well. (It's wise to e'er deport a wallet in your front pockets, and to dissever greenbacks etc between both pockets so you lot don't lose everything). Some travellers worry almost getting mugged or some other terrible misfortune but frankly that is very unlikely – what's far more than likely is that yous will lose or misplace your wallet yourself, so finding a style to keep it safely on you and reassure yourself it's at that place is of import. As mentioned above, make certain you lot have scans of all your passport, credit cards and other of import documents.
• Thailand Guidebook – while in that location is a plethora of slap-up info well-nigh Thailand online, if it's your beginning time to Thailand, a guidebook is probably still the easiest way to rapidly become an idea of all the options bachelor to yous. It'due south worth getting a guidebook a few months earlier your trip so you can really thumb through it and highlight the stuff you lot're really interested in. Lonely Planet Thailand would be my personal preference, but there are numerous other guidebooks besides.
• Bangkok Map – if you are planning to spend more than a couple of days in Bangkok, investing in a map volition save you lot a huge corporeality of time and frustration. I've written before how Groovy Map is hands-down the best map of Bangkok which helps you swiftly understand the sprawling metropolis and where all the good stuff is. It's definitely worth getting a re-create before you go far in Bangkok and study it on the plane as you come in to state.

  It's also worth noting that Google Maps have detailed maps of Bangkok, and it can exist hugely helpful to apply GPS on your cellphone to permit the map guide y'all. I would still recommend the Groovy Map as a general overview and utilize your telephone maps to guide you to specific destinations. Likewise be aware that Google Maps are non 100% accurate – quite a few places are incorrectly located so watch out for that.

What Do Yous Need To Pack For Thailand?

The golden rule is e'er pack less. Don't purchase half of the local camping shop in an attempt to be prepared for every situation – simply purchase it when you need information technology while y'all're travelling. In Thailand this is peculiarly true, because, assuming you're starting your journey in Bangkok, pretty much every Western affair yous could need is available and is often cheaper likewise.

Stuff You Don't Need To Bring Lots Of As Yous Can Purchase It In Thailand

• Toiletries – Brand name toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, soap, razors, tampons, pain relievers (eg Tylenol or Panadol), toilet paper and deodorant are all plentifully bachelor in every vii-11 which are about everywhere in Thailand. Obviously you lot want to bring some of this stuff while you travel, otherwise you'll honk on arrival. My signal is that y'all don't need to bring a suitcase full of information technology.
• Tshirts – Don't bother buying expensive tshirts at habitation as you can pick them up for inexpensive (100 Baht or less if you deal well) in Bangkok.

Stuff You lot Should Bring To Thailand

• Fleece – It may seem crazy to bring a fleece jacket to a tropical land, but Thai buses and cinemas – and indeed, many other indoor spaces like shopping malls – are notoriously chilly due to arctic air-conditioning. Plane journeys can also be common cold. A lightweight fleece can make all the deviation for your comfort. Check Amazon for cheap womens fleeces and men's fleeces – you don't want annihilation too expensive in instance y'all lose it.
• Quick Dry Towel– Super lightweight and non-bulky, one of these towels is a real godsend for minimising your travel load. They're also pretty inexpensive – bank check Amazon for a good variety of quick dry out towel options.
• Water Carrier – You'll need to drinkable a lot of water while travelling in Thailand. A easily-gratis hydration pack (Camelbak are popular) is worth because if yous are going to exist active – information technology'south a lot easier than dragging a two litre canteen of water around everywhere. Incidentally, safety to drink bottled h2o is available pretty much everywhere in Thailand – yous'll only need water purification tablets if you lot plan to go camping etc for more than than a couple of days.
• Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellent – I tin't stress this enough: brand sure you put on sunscreen and mosquito repellent every morning before you head out for the 24-hour interval, and definitely reapply mosquito repellent around 5pm before dusk, when mozzies tend to be most active. Information technology's very unlikely you'll grab malaria in Thailand unless you're spending a lot of time in deep jungle (which is too unlikely) – yet, musquito bites tin can exist extremely irritating and merely generally take the edge off your enjoyment.

  Preventing them ever getting almost you is the best way to become – roofing up in the evening with loose fitting trousers or long skirts is also a proficient idea, every bit mosquitos seem to love ankles, and obviously a hat, sunglasses and long sleeves are groovy for blocking the dominicus. There are enough of mosquito repellent and sunscreen brands on Amazon, and you lot tin buy about major international brands in Bangkok too. My personal favourite is Banana Gunkhole, which is super quick to apply and absorb. Sunscreen sticks are as well great for rapidly applying to the face. It's probably wise to bring something for mosquito bite relief and sunburn relief so y'all have it immediately to hand if required.

• Travel Diarrhoea (or Diarrhea) Treatment – At that place's no getting away from it – at some point on your travels, you lot volition be struck with a case of Bad Guts. While you should mind timeless communication nigh avoiding drinking not-bottled water and eating anything that hasn't been cooked, a lot of travel toilet troubles are just caused by the change of diet that you're going through while travelling, coupled with the extra exertion of being probably more active than usual. Virtually symptoms pass (ahem) in 24 hours and it'south all-time merely to rest and drink plenty of bottled h2o. If you absolutely accept to motion on, then something similar Imodium or another travel diarrhea remedy is a good stopgap (sorry) but it'south not something you should rely on for days on end. Accept for a couple of days and if you nevertheless take problems afterwards that, you should go come across a md.
• Tissues / Toilet Paper – While we're on the topic, it is besides worth noting that you should e'er continue some tissues or toilet paper on y'all. In Thailand h2o hoses, or bum guns, are often used rather than toilet paper. This is a gently pressurised water jet, a lilliputian like a bidet, that you use to clean up which is far more than effective and aseptic than toilet paper. Still, y'all may however demand some tissues to dry up or deal with a not and so sanitary lavatory, and paper is non e'er available. Camper'south toilet paper is a clever compact travel solution, but tissues are also always available at vii-eleven in Thailand too. You lot should likewise keep some hand sanitiser handy too, as soap isn't e'er available either.
• Tshirts, shorts, skirts – Tshirts are easy to find in Thailand, but if you veer towards a larger frame, call up that information technology will exist difficult to observe bigger sized vesture in Thailand. Therefore it'southward worth having decent quality shorts and skirts that volition deal with everyday travel and getting washed a lot. Sturdy zipper pockets on your shorts are likewise invaluable for storing passports and other valuables.

  While cotton is a good default choice, linen clothes are my preferred favourite – information technology'due south even more breathable than cotton fiber and, to my mind, definitely worth the extra expense.

  The only problem with both linen and cotton is that they retain sweat and can hang wet and heavy on you if yous're being active – just walking an hour during the daytime in Thailand can cause a Niagara of perspiration. I've recently converted to Under Armor T-shirts for daytime use in Bangkok which alive up to their promise of staying relatively dry and light.

  Also make certain you have a low-cal top and trousers that will encompass your arms and legs – you might need it at dusk when the mosquitos come out. You'll exist able to find this easily in Bangkok – Thai fishermen's pants are inexpensive and all over Khao San Road.

  A sarong is also a very useful item to have as information technology can double as a makeshift towel, pillow etc as well.

Cheque Thailand hotel availability and pricing on Booking.com – book now, pay subsequently

• Underwear – For underwear, it's really worth investing in something that withstand the heat and your body's sweat. I've found that Under Armor underwear, while expensive, has been invaluable for staying absurd in the Bangkok heat and also avoiding chafing if yous're doing a lot of walking or cycling. (NB – a workaround to avoid chafing is to utilize some lubricant jelly, like KY Jelly, to your Zones Of Potential Pain. If you're planning a hike or long solar day of walking, it could really assist maintain your comfort levels. Just don't ask me how I worked that out).
• Footwear – shoes tend to be poor quality in Thailand, unless they're expensive imports, and difficult to notice in bigger sizes. You will be doing a lot of walking so information technology pays to accept proficient footwear to go along you comfortable and your feet in good status. Bank check Amazon for cheap men'southward sandals and women's sandals. Afterward years of wearing sandals, I recently switched to very lightweight, breathable Keen CNX hiking shoes which I find far superior (and protects your feet from basis ickiness in case y'all step in a swamp puddle etc). If you go with trainers (or sneakers) as your preferred footwear, make sure they have plenty of ventilation otherwise you will cause yourself blisters, heat rash and other issues.

  You should also bring a spare pair of lightweight "formal" shoes if y'all program on going clubbing or any of the more posh bars in Bangkok (similar Vertigo). It'southward a bit overkill to wear massive mountain hiking boots in most of Thailand. Even if you are going trekking, unless you're going to be really hardcore about it and spend more a couple of nights away from civilisation, it's not really worth bringing them. Sneakers will probably do fine.

• Cellphone – Having a local SIM menu is much cheaper than roaming. You tin can buy a Thai SIM card online at Klook to pick upwardly at the airport – or get one from any mobile store in town. As your cellphone volition probable be the single about valuable and most frail item you are carrying on your travels, a few things to consider:
  • Make sure you accept a suitably rugged example for yous cellphone which means it can withstand being dropped and splashed with water. Otterbox provide some fantabulous Defender cases which, while non that stylish, turn your cellphone into a tank. I've dropped my iPhone numerous times and the Otterbox Defender saved it from fifty-fifty getting a scratch every time.

    (If you lot are coming to Thailand during Songkran, the annual nationwide calendar week-long h2o fight, you lot will want to either leave your cellphone at domicile or wrap information technology in several ziploc bags. Fifty-fifty the most rugged example won't be able to protect it from the inevitable soaking it (and you) volition get).

  • Selfie sticks are everywhere in Thailand these days, so don't feel shy if you want to get those vacation shots of yourself – just do be aware of those effectually you lot then you don't whack someone in the head with it.
  • If you use your telephone a lot, you'll probably desire to become a backup power source – there are some excellent cheap ability banks to give your telephone an free energy boost. This is definitely worth begetting in mind if y'all programme to use GPS and Google or Apple Maps on your phone which burn power quite fast, equally does uploading photos to Facebook, Instagram et al.
  • I primal issue with a phone being a Swiss army knife is that if you lose it, you lose a lot of stuff in one go. Make sure that you lot have cloud admission to upload your photos so you have a separate copy – or download them onto a laptop if you're bringing 1 with you. It'due south a hassle, but you'll exist heartbroken if you lose all your photos without a fill-in. (If you lot do bring a laptop, get something depression price then you won't be too heartbroken if it gets lost or trashed. Laptops are remarkably cheap these days).
  • Also, given cellphones are expensive, make sure your travel insurance covers it as a specific detail – World Nomads, for example, let's y'all pay a flake extra and insure your phone, laptop or other expensive item for its total value and then if you lose it, your insurance will cover the full cost of replacing it. A lot of travel insurance, past default, just pays out a certain limit for high value items so check the policy carefully if you're travelling with a lot of gadgets.
  • Don't forget to bring your phone charger! It's relatively easy to observe replacement chargers in Bangkok (effort any major shopping mall or Fortune Boondocks It mall at Phra Ram nine MRT station) only it's an inconvenience to trudge around to become it when you could exist doing more interesting stuff.
• Antihistamine tablets – If you suffer from any kind of pollen allergy or accept a generally sensitive nose, I highly recommend you have antihistamines, not specially for your Thailand trip but specifically for the long flight there. I've found popping an antihistamine at the first of a flight stops sneeziness and general miserable allergy symptoms brought on past breathing dry, canned air. They are very cheap and available without prescription.
• Tissues – a few packs of travel tissues hands attainable in your carry-on handbag (and in your back pocket) is definitely worth keeping handy in case you get the same sneezes or just have to mop up some random spilt gunk and wipe your hands
• Moisturiser – keeping some moisturiser handy for your face up on long aeroplane flights (and actually, but mostly day to day while travelling) tin can practise wonders for making you lot feel improve at the end of a long day. My girlfriend got me using some quite posh products like CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream which genuinely feel a lot amend than bog standard moisturisers. Your mileage may vary.
• Ear plugs – if you lot're a light sleeper, ear plugs are an essential for plane, train and autobus journeys and, perhaps most of all, if y'all're sharing a dorm room with a snorer. Moldex ear plugs are an excellent brand and very inexpensive too.
• Pen – keep a pen in your conduct-on baggage too to fill in immigration forms on the aeroplane earlier y'all land – saves you fourth dimension doing it when you go into the airdrome. Also useful in endless random situations. If you program to travel on from Thailand to Cambodia, Laos etc it's also worth making sure you have several passport-size photos of yourself to attach to visa applications – once more, it saves you running effectually looking for a photograph car at the concluding minute
• Luggage Locks – an inexpensive purchase, but very worthwhile to continue your bags firmly zipped shut and away from opportunistic tampering. If y'all are travelling to and from the USA, you lot desire to make certain they are TSA-approved locks.

• Condoms – International brands similar Durex are common in Thailand, but Thai condoms are built for – how do I say this? – the smaller frame. They too have a reputation of not beingness especially proficient quality. All sniggering aside, it's very important yous await later yourself by making sure you take responsibleness and use protection if you're going to exist sexually active. All-time bring your own if you think you lot'll demand them. If you're too shy to purchase them in person, Amazon can assist.
• Sunglasses – you'll exist able to find plenty of cheap sunglasses in Thailand, but you lot might want to invest in a decent pair that will properly screen out harmful ultra-violet rays. The sun in Thailand tin can be savagely hot and if you plan on travelling for a while, it's wise to protect your eyes. Y'all can find quality sunglasses listed on Amazon if you want to avoid paying top dollar.
• Swimwear – No doubt you'll be spending time on i of Thailand'due south iconic beaches – you may already exist planning to do nothing but hang out on the sandy white. Make sure you pack a couple of pairs of swimwear – bikinis, boardshorts and the like – then you lot can go out one set to rinse out if you're spending multiple days by the body of water. It'due south too important to ensure you get swimwear that's a good fit and good quality. Remember that it's not considered polite in Thailand to wander around bare-chested or in skimpy clothes when off the beach, so having a tshirt or sarong to embrace up when you head into boondocks is considerate – and helps keep the sun off besides.
• Noise-cancelling headphones – If music is important to y'all, consider investing in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They are more expensive than normal earbuds only can exist worth their weight in gold on a long flight or bus journey blocking out your surrounds.
• Audiobooks – If you're going to invest in noise-cancelling headphones, audiobooks are a great way to pass the time while on planes and trains. Audible offers a gratis trial and has thousands of acknowledged audiobooks to access and download.
• Download Boob tube Shows – You tin can download a wide selection of TV shows and movies to your mobile device with Amazon'due south Prime Video service, letting you watch them anywhere without whatsoever kind of cyberspace connection – perfect for plane journeys. There's a 30 day complimentary trial bachelor to exam information technology out. Remember to download the shows y'all want before you become travelling equally normally the content is not available in other countries.
• Camera – You may still want to invest in a camera if you're looking to take a lot of photos – I'd recommend the Canon Powershot range which are super compact, like shooting fish in a barrel to use and quite cheap.

  The other popular alternative is a GoPro, a tiny rugged waterproof photographic camera which is great for recording start person viewpoints while you're doing chance activities like climbing, kayaking, diving and surfing.

Whatever camera y'all use, be sure to bring plenty of retentivity cards to shop all the images – you should regularly change the cards, and fill-in the images immediately. Imagine if y'all stored all the pictures of your trip on one bill of fare and then, right at the end, accidentally deleted everything (yeah, washed that), or, worse, lost it completely.

• Torch – yous'll accept a torch function on your cellphone, but having a dedicated torch if you're going to be outside cities is a good thought. Nitecore Tube torches are small, cheap, incredibly powerful and fit on your keyring.
• Kindle – if you like books, a Kindle reading device is an absolute godsend while travelling. You can store thousands of books on an extremely lightweight device and avoid straining your optics equally y'all would if you were looking at a phone or tablet screen for a prolonged period. There'south always inevitably reanimation while travelling – waiting in airports etc – and a good volume is the ideal way to occupy yourself, especially if you've got some books about your destination to inspire you. You can go the Lonely Planet Thailand for Kindle, and a few classic Thailand books include Alex Garland'south The Beach, Jerry Hopkins' Thailand Confidential, Stephen Leather'due south Private Dancer and John Burdett's Bangkok Eight. Don't forget your Kindle charger and mini-USB cable to power up.
• Surge Protector – If you have a lot of electronics, you should besides invest in a travel surge protector to avoid your gear getting fried by fluctuating currents – it'south rare, but it does happen.

If y'all want more tips on making long flights equally comfortable equally possible, meet my snappily-titled Best Travel Comfort Accessories for Long Booty Flights page. If you're heading to Europe subsequently your Thailand travels, there'southward a Packing List For Germany which could be useful.

I have also written a packing list specifically for if you're going on a scuba diving liveaboard trip – see my Liveboard Packing List on my other site Dive Happy.

There are plenty of other swell packing tips and lists around on the Web – run across HolidayPackingList.com for more packing tips.

Finally, exist sure to volume at least your starting time dark's stay in Thailand so yous're non hunting around for a place to stay when jetlagged and tired. Go a good night's sleep and and then explore your options afterward that. There are scores of decent, inexpensive hotels in Thailand – specially in Bangkok.

Packing List Thailand summary list

Hither's the concise version of the packing list for Thailand to help you programme your trip.

Thailand Packing Essentials

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Check if y'all need a visa to enter Thailand
• Vaccinations
• Travel insurance
• Flying ticket
• Prescription medicines
• Credit cards and Debit cards
• Scans of all important documents
• Thailand guidebook
• Bangkok Map

Luggage, Toiletries, Clothes

• Backpack
• Daypack
• Travel cubes
• Baggage locks
• Wash purse
• Travel wallet
• Toiletries
• Sunscreen
• Musquito Repellent
• Diarrhoea treatment
• First Assist Kit
• Anti histamine tablets
• Tshirts / Tops – moisture wicking fabric
• Shorts
• Skirts
• Underwear
• Footwear
• Swim wearable
• Sunglasses
• Ear plugs
• Pen
• Fleece
• Quick Dry Towel

Electronics To Bring To Thailand

• Cellphone
• Cellphone protective case
• Power bank
• Phone charger
• Universal power adaptor (with surge protection)
• Pocket torch
• Kindle

Tip: copy-paste this list into your favourite note-taking app on your telephone and then you tin can tick things off and add new items every bit you lot need.

lininteall38.blogspot.com

Source: https://travelhappy.info/thailand/packing-list-for-thailand/

Share this post