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A Stylish, Easy Thailand Packing List

04/22/2022 by Kristin Addis 9 Comments

The Land of Smiles has it all: Vibrant culture, delicious food, a price tag that’s easy on the budget, warmth year-round, beaches, jungles, and mountains. The only thing it doesn’t have is snow, thank goodness!

If you’re like me Thailand is attractive for a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to the lack of winter. That makes packing a lot easier, and a lot lighter!

Most of what you bring to Thailand will be lightweight and easy to roll up and stuff into a compression bag. That means you can bring more things, and take up less space.

thailand packing list
The perfect temple dress! Taken at Doi Suthep

Table of Contents

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  • The Ideal Thailand Packing List:
  • Toiletries and other essentials
  • Modesty
  • Travel Insurance
  • Carry-On Only

The Ideal Thailand Packing List:

  • 4-5 tank tops or light shirts
  • 1-2 lightweight shirts with sleeves for temples
  • 2-3 dresses – two long and one short (I bought all mine from ASOS)
  • 2 pairs of lightweight cotton pants – buy them there at the markets!
  • 2 pairs of shorts, at least one with pockets that button or zip (easy to carry money and a key on a night out)
  • 1 silk scarf for covering shoulders (buy there)
  • 1 lightweight rain jacket
  • 1 fleece (if traveling up north during the winter or trekking. It does get cold!)
  • 1 pair running shoes
  • 1 pair cute sandals
  • 1 pair comfy flip flops
  • 1-2 hats for sun protection (I wear one in transit)
  • 10 or so pairs of underwear and 2 bras
  • 2-3  bathing suits

About the jackets

You might be surprised to see that I included a fleece on there. Before you stuff one into your bag, though, consider where and when you’re visiting Thailand. I learned the hard way while at a retreat near Chiang Rai in January, in the mountains in the far north of Thailand, that the weather can actually be quite cold at the higher elevations in the winter months! However if you’re just sticking to the south, like Bangkok and the islands, leave the fleece at home.

READ NEXT: 11 of the best travel jackets for women

The rain jacket, on the other hand, is useful no matter where you go in the country. Rainy season in Thailand lasts from June until October but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time it rains. It’s a tropical jungle, so if you want to stay dry, bring a rain jacket! Just make sure it’s breathable and light, because it’ll be hot, too!

thailand packing list
In the north I was happy to have pants and a scarf! Taken at Wat Chaloem

Toiletries and other essentials

I usually just bring enough shampoo and conditioner to fill a 100-ml/3 oz bottle and refill on the road. You’ll find 7-11s everywhere and almost all of them carry plenty of international brands, such as Pantene, and Nivea, as well as local brands worth trying out – just double check that it’s not the kind meant to whiten your skin, which is unfortunately quite popular in Thailand.

I say unfortunately because their skin is beautiful just the way it is, and so is yours! 

However I do usually bring my own face wash and facial moisturizer with SPF – two things I’m very particular about. You will find other essentials like razor, tampons and deodorants.

I also consider certain electronics to be essential as a digital nomad, though I realize not everyone is in the same boat. If you’re curious, here’s a listing of my camera gear and my favorite electronics bags. On that note, make sure you get a Thai SIM card to stay connected during your trip!

thailand packing list
Cover knees and shoulders in temples. Taken at the Silver Temple in Chiang Mai, featured here.

Modesty

In general, Thais tend to dress a bit more on the conservative side. While it’s fine to wear tank tops and shorts, consider leaving the crop tops and booty shorts at home.

The only time when it’s required and essential to cover up is in temples, when shoulders and knees must be fully covered in order to enter. This is the motivation behind adding cute maxi dresses to the list, along with buying lightweight pants in Thailand – you can be covered up without overheating.

Travel Insurance

I highly recommend traveling with insurance. Yes, Thailand is generally cheap, but insurance is helpful should the worst happen and you need to get home.

There are also insurance options to cover activities like SCUBA diving and hiking, two things that people often do when they travel to Thailand. The World Nomads explorer option is the one that I use and recommend.

Carry-On Only

I have some more good news, by the way. This Thailand packing list can all fit into a carry-on sized bag. For the entire first year that I traveled in Southeast Asia I actually did it carry on only, without wearing the same thing all the time! It’s totally possible. Click here to read more about that or watch the video above to see how I stuff a week and a half of clothing into one small bag.

I hope that helps make your Thailand trip easier and more carefree. If you’re still figuring out where exactly to go, what to budget, and how to get around, check out my Thailand guide which should answer all your questions!

Happy travels in one of the most beautiful countries on Earth!

READ NEXT:

20 of the Most Beautiful Places in Thailand

*Some links in this post are affiliate links for products and services we personally use and love. Any purchase you make through them supports us at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much!

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About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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I'm Kristin, and my vision of a better world is one where more women are empowered and living out their dreams. Solo traveling is the best method I've found to become the best, bravest version of me. This site is all about how YOU can have the adventure of a lifetime in an easy, fun, approachable way, so that you can feel empowered, too. Want to learn more about me?

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Comments

  1. GG says

    04/22/2018 at 9:30 am

    Nice summary. I like what you say about everyone’s skin being beautiful. This concern is universal, common among all peoples and cultures. Another thing that shows how we are so much alike. Like with anything with appearance, you want to look neat, take care of yourself, dress nicely, and be healthy, but one must realize that he/she/they are all beautiful, made in the image of G-d (or instilled with a beautiful aura for those who aren’t into religion). I find the skin of SE Asians to be very beautiful, indeed, like anywhere there is insecurity. Some SE Asians tan to be darker while others whiten their skin, I think they are beautiful the way they are, but it is the nature of people and I have my own insecurities (I never liked all my freckles-moles). At least I hope it can be put at the same level as being kind (loving-kindness-how you can give to others), intelligence, being responsible, secure in your person, trying to make the world a better place, and learning as much as one can while we are here. Thanks Kristin for sharing your inspiring perspective on things in these posts.

    Reply
  2. Kiye Sic says

    04/23/2018 at 5:13 pm

    wonderful blog! thanks for sharing and keep it up!

    Reply
  3. Shannon says

    04/25/2018 at 4:16 am

    Thanks for the list – and hoping you can help! I’ve been packing for my SEA trip in my 38 litre carry-on size backpack. I have even less than your list packed, but it goes over the 7 kilo carry-on allowance once I’ve added my laptop. I’ve stripped away a lot, but am still over. Does anyone actually stick to the 7kg limit? Because I have plenty more room in my backpack and I seem to have less than many travel bloggers write about for their carry-on luggage.

    Am I best to just take the gamble and travel with over the 7kg and hope no one checks?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/27/2018 at 9:15 am

      I rarely am asked to have my bag weighed, which I’m kind of counting on. If they do, I’d suggest bringing along a string bag that folds up very easily and sticking your valuables in there to carry on if you have to.

      Reply
  4. Zee says

    04/03/2019 at 5:33 pm

    Thank you for the useful info. I will be travelling solo and want to by stylish and safe. Based on your articles, I have just ordered a personal alarm.

    Reply
  5. Dan says

    12/11/2020 at 8:30 am

    Are there many mosquitos?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      12/11/2020 at 9:59 am

      Sure are! Can’t do much about it accept embrace the Tiger Balm.

      Reply
  6. SK says

    07/23/2023 at 8:59 am

    What is your travel backpack and messenger bag? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/23/2023 at 12:10 pm

      REI backpack and Pacsafe messenger bag 🙂

      Reply

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