Traveling to Thailand for the first time or not, you’re maybe wondering what essential things you need to pack for your next trip. This is the only Thailand packing list you will ever need whatever season you plan on visiting Thailand.
The Ultimate Thailand Packing List : 8 essentials to pack for Thailand
A good travel backpack
Obvious isn’t it ? If you are looking for a backpack for traveling to Thailand, try to avoid filling a 75L backpack because you’ll end up packing too much. A 50L backpack is more than enough for any travel plan under 3 months.
Tissues and wet wipes
Thai toilets are not what you think. Toilet paper and soap aren’t always available and toilet seat cleaner is a rare commodity.
Even if you’ll find tissues more often than not, having both tissues and wet wipes will ensure to maintain good hygiene.
Thailand is also famous for street food (which is a must-try for me). Wet tissues will definitely be really usefull as you never know when you’ll stop and try something to eat.
Water bottle
Thailand is a hot country and it’s important to drink a lot to stay hydrated.
Bring a reusable water bottle with you when you travel – it is great for airports and when you’re in Thailand you can fill up for almost nothing.
Your accommodations will even probably provide drinking water for free. Why risk getting high priced bottles of water at major tourist attractions?
Be careful: you can’t drink tap water in Thailand ! So Just make sure you are getting it filled using filtered water!
Slip-on shoes and proper clothing for temples and palaces
Many places require you to remove your shoes when you enter them:
- family owned stores,
- homes,
- some restaurants,
- pharmacies,
- and most certainly temples.
Temples are very common visits when planning a Thailand itinerary, so make sure you dress appropriately.
For example, the dress code for the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok requires both men and women to wear sleeved clothes.
Your shoulders and ankles must be covered. Men are required to wear long trousers and women long trousers or long skirts.
Be careful: tight pants and flip-flops aren’t allowed.
Even if major attractions have clothes rental stand, so visitors can cover themselves up properly. Just dress appropriately from the start, so you don’t have to waste time queuing.
Insect repellent
Remember ? Thailand is tropical and rainy. Better be safe than sorry, especially if you are going to camp or trek in the jungle.
Be sure to take a bug spray that is efficient in tropical areas because the standard ones you find for your country probably won’t be working well in Thailand.
Sun protection
Again, Thailand is a hot country and the sunlight is strong for sure. Make sure to put a hat, a cap or whatever item that can protect you from the sun. Of course, also make sure to have sunglasses and sunscreen on your list of what to pack for Thailand.
If ever you run out of sunscreen, even if convenience stores like 7-Eleven are widely spread in most provinces, consider getting the it in Bangkok just in case. You’ll be able to buy the item for a reasonable price.
Rain wear
In Thailand, be ready for the rain, even if it isn’t monsoon season. It comes comes and goes within minutes. Get your umbrella or raincoat ready.
Even in the colder seasons (November to February), there is still a chance of rain. I’ve dedicated an entire article covering this topic that you can find here.
Power adapter for Thailand
Many places have European and North American style plugins, but be ready to put this to good use. Make sure to bring a 220V power adapter.
