Thailand is a tropical country with the weather mostly consisting of hot, very hot, rainy, and very rainy for most of the year, with only a month or 2 a year where the weather is actually bearable. Despite that, Thailand is still one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and for good reasons.
Thailand is home to one of the most delicious cuisines out there. Our street food is top-notch. We have a variety of places to visit and sights to see here in Thailand, from the cool mountains of the north to all the tropical islands and beaches one can enjoy.
With so many things to do and places to visit in Thailand, it is important to know what things you should pack for such a climate beforehand, and I am here to guide you through it.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to help and prepare you for the once-in-a-lifetime journey with a comprehensive packing list of things for Thailand. Without further ado, let's begin with the most important packing question of all: "What to wear in Thailand?"
- What to Wear in Thailand?
- What Backpack to Bring To Thailand?
- Should I Get a Travel Insurance for Thailand?
- What Other Travel Essentials to Bring To Thailand?
- What Camera Gear to Bring To Thailand?
- What Electronics to Bring To Thailand?
- Toiletries Packing List:
- Further Reading for Thailand
What to Wear in Thailand?
Depending on when you are planning to visit Thailand, the weather can be extremely humid. In fact, outside of the peak season from November to January, you can expect the weather to be hot and humid. Therefore, it is recommended to wear clothes that you are comfortable in hot weather when visiting Thailand.
That said, Thailand is also a land of Buddhism, and you will likely be visiting many temples throughout your trip. Therefore, you will need to dress properly when entering the premises.
Basically, tank tops and short shorts are not allowed in temples in Thailand. In popular tourist attractions like the Grand Palace, you won't even be allowed in if you wear trousers that do not cover your ankles, so you will have to balance the hot-weather clothes with modest clothes when you are packing for Thailand.
Here is a list of things to wear in Thailand for both men and women. Keep in mind that this is only an example list of things you should pack in Thailand, and I am only listing the essentials. So, be sure to bring what you think is necessary for you as well and use this as a guideline to see what things you might have missed from your packing list.
Breathable Shirts: The weather in Thailand is pretty hot, and when you are out exploring in Thailand, I guarantee you that you will sweat no less than a gallon. So, be sure that the shirts and dresses you pack are breathable.
Tank Tops: Thailand is hot, and if you live in a cold climate country like most Western visitors do, you are going to find it much easier to be out in the sun with a tank top, so be sure to pack some. They are also great at the beach and when you go out to snorkel, which is a must-do in Thailand. You can also buy some in Thailand. They are cheap, widely available, and very light to carry around.
Light Scarf: If you are planning to visit a temple that day, it's blazing hot outside, and you do not want to wear long shirts, you can wear a tank top and bring a light scarf to cover your shoulders when you are entering a temple and take it off when you are done. That way, you do not have to suffer the heat when you are not at a temple.
Shorts: The same goes for shorts. You should pack shorts that you are comfortable wearing when you are moving around and sweating your buttocks off. Shorts will likely be what you wear the most in Thailand, so be sure to pack a few.
Long Breathable Pants: As mentioned earlier, if you are going to visit a temple, you will need to wear long pants that go down to your ankles. Since the weather is hot in Thailand, I recommend you pack long lightweight breathable pants for your trip. You can also buy the famous elephant pants in Thailand for as low as 100 THB (3.5 USD). They are cheap, light, and very breathable, perfect for hot weather and great as souvenirs. That is a win-win situation right there.
Travel Shoes: Since you will be walking a lot in a not-very-walkable city like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, you will need to pack comfortable shoes that you don't mind wearing and walking/hiking with for 8 hours a day.
I highly recommend this Timberland shoe for guys or this walking shoe for women if you are looking to buy a new one on this trip. Make sure to break into your shoes before getting on that plane. You do not want to be stuck with shoes that give you blisters while you are on your trip.
Flip-flops: There will be days when you just want to break out your flip-flops, let your toes out in the open air, and just walk around beaches and islands in Thailand, so be sure to pack a pair. You will also likely need them for activities that involve water, like snorkeling or diving, when you are aboard a boat, etc.
A Lightweight Rain Jacket: It rains a lot in Thailand, especially between May and October. It can also rain outside of the rainy period, so you will have to prepare for the worst when you are out and about. Be sure to pack a lightweight rain jacket.
You can also get a rain poncho from any 7-11 convenience stores scattered throughout Thailand for 30 THB (1 USD), in case you forget. If you are planning to rent a motorbike, pack a rain jacket with you, or you will be stuck under a tree by a remote road, as I did way too many times than I'd like to admit.
A Fleece Jacket: If you are visiting Northern Thailand between November and January, the weather can be pretty cold out there, so be sure to bring a warm fleece jacket with you just in case.
Swimwear: Thailand is known for its blue ocean and beautiful waterfalls. With such a humid climate, you may feel the urge to jump into any body of water in the proximity without knowing why. So, be sure to pack a swimsuit whenever you are visiting waterfalls or going to the beach.
If you go to places like Ko Lipe, you will also need a swimsuit to go snorkeling, but do not pack a snorkeling mask and fins. They take up a lot of space, and most of these gears are usually provided by the tour already, so don't increase your load unnecessarily.
Hiking Socks: When I travel, I always pack hiking socks instead of regular socks because they are often lightweight, extra soft, and have moisture control, which helps eliminate odor when you spend hours a day walking in them.
What Backpack to Bring To Thailand?
A Large Backpack: If you are planning to visit Thailand for more than a week, I highly recommend carrying at least a 40L backpack to carry all the travel essentials while you are on the move.
I highly recommend Osprey backpacks. They are durable, very light, and have a lifetime guarantee. Get the Osprey Atmos AG Backpack for men and the Osprey Aura AG Backpack for women if you are looking for a high-quality backpack that will last you a lifetime. I have the Osprey Atmos myself and I love it!
A Daypack: You are also going to need a daypack to carry all your travel essentials for the day, such as a water bottle, camera gear, jackets, etc. Depending on how much you want to carry, I found 25L to be a good capacity for a daypack.
I personally use Herschel Supply's Little America bag as my daypack, and I love it. It is pretty affordable, very comfortable to wear, and stylish as hell. If you are looking for a stylish daypack to go with your trip, get the Herschel Supply Little America backpack.
A Dry Bag: If you are planning to do many water activities in Thailand, such as kayaking, rafting, and snorkeling, it might be worthwhile to pack a dry bag for your trip. This will help keep your belongings safe and dry.
Should I Get a Travel Insurance for Thailand?
Yes! Thailand is a beautiful place to travel to, but it can also get crazy chaotic. If you are planning to rent a motorbike, go hiking, or simply participate in any activities in Thailand, such as going snorkeling, diving, or spending a night on a liveaboard boat, I highly recommend getting travel insurance for your trip here.
Travel insurance is not expensive, and if things go wrong, which is often the case when you travel, at least you will have the insurance to cover the costs that may arise. If you are looking for travel insurance providers, consider browsing through HeyMondo for regular trips or World Nomads for adventure trips and find the right travel insurance that fits the trip you are planning.
Disclaimer: World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
What Other Travel Essentials to Bring To Thailand?
Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are a life-saver for backpackers and light-travelers out there. I used to travel without one, and it was often a mess in my backpack. I would frequently find something I had been looking for months later, after returning from a trip.
With packing cubes, that is no longer a problem, as everything is nicely organized into its own cubes, and I can take things in and out of my backpack without messing up other things in my backpack. I highly recommend you buy 4 packing cubes for your trip.
Microfiber Towel: It is easy to dry, lightweight, and small enough to pack in your daypack. Since you will probably be swimming in waterfalls and the ocean a lot in Thailand, you will likely have the towel with you most of the time.
Water Bottle: The weather in Thailand can sometimes be hot as hell, and it is important to keep yourself hydrated when you are here. You would also do the environment a great favor by bringing your own water bottle instead of buying a plastic water bottle at 7-11 every time you are thirsty.
I highly recommend the Lifestraw Filter Bottle, which will also help filter the water for you to ensure it is safe to drink. You never know what the water has to go through to reach you when traveling in a country like Thailand, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
Padlock: If you are planning to stay in hostels in Thailand, you will be sharing a space with other travelers, and you are going to need a padlock to secure your belongings in a locker at a hostel when you are out and about. Most of the time, the hostel will provide a locker for free if you have your own padlock, so it is best to pack one just in case. I highly recommend Master Lock Padlock.
Insect Repellent: This is extremely essential if you plan to go anywhere outdoors in Thailand. I wouldn't leave my hotel without showering in one of these insect repellents before stepping foot outside. I highly recommend getting the Repel 100 insect repellent or you can get the local one called Soffel, which you can often find in one of the many 7-11 convenience stores in Thailand.
What Camera Gear to Bring To Thailand?
Sony a6600: This camera is what I carry for most of my trips around the world. The Sony a6600 is very compact and light, while the capabilities are more than enough to take excellent photos and videos for my travels. Combine it with the lenses I use below, and you have one hell of a capable yet lightweight camera gear that you can carry anywhere with you.
Sony 16-55mm F2.8 Lens: This lens stays on my Sony a6600 camera 90% of the time. The focal length of 16mm and 55mm allows me to capture wide shots for landscapes, as well as up-close street shots of the local people, respectively. If you are looking for one lens to rule them all, this is it.
Sony 10-18mm F4 Lens: This is another lens I often carry on my trips. The 10mm minimum focal length gives me an ultra-wide field of view, allowing me to take some really nice photos of large temples and big Buddha images in Thailand. If you want nice pictures of architecture around Thailand, this lens is the one to get.
Sigma 56mm F1.4 Lens: When I travel, I often like to do street photography and take photos of the locals, and one of my favorite lenses to use for travel portraits is the Sigma 56mm F1.4 lens, which comes with a wide aperture of F1.4, allowing me to shoot some really beautiful people with stunning bokeh. I love this lens, and I highly recommend you get it if you like taking photos of people.
DJI Mavic Mini 2: For a travel drone that is lightweight and highly capable, you just can't beat the DJI Mavic Mini 2. It weighs only 249 grams and is smaller than an iPhone when collapsed. If you are looking for a travel drone to carry with you in Thailand, you will love the DJI Mavic Mini 2.
GoPro Hero 9 Black: Since you will likely be participating in activities around water in Thailand, such as snorkeling, kayaking, and waterfall-hopping, you will find yourself using your action camera, like the GoPro Hero 9, more than when you visit other countries. So be sure to pack that with you.
Trust me, you are going to regret not having an action camera when you are kayaking through beautiful places like Khao Sok Lake.
What Electronics to Bring To Thailand?
Power Bank: In this day and age, you will be relying a lot on your phone when you travel, from navigation to booking accommodations, and you are going to need to keep your phone and other electronic devices juiced up with a power bank. I highly recommend the Anker PowerCore 20,000 mAh power bank for your trip here, which should be enough to keep all your electronics charged throughout the day.
Travel Adapter: Depending on where you are from, you are going to need a travel adapter that will allow you to adapt any of your electronics to the power outlet here. I highly recommend the Unidapt 61W Universal Travel Adapter, which should cover most types of power outlets out there.
Macbook Air: If you are looking for a lightweight laptop to travel with that is highly capable, I highly recommend getting the new Macbook Air with the powerful M1 chip. It is not too expensive, extremely compact and light, and you can do everything from browsing the web to photo editing all on one machine.
iPhone 12 Pro Max: If you do not want to carry a camera around while you travel and are looking for a phone that has the best camera you can get, buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The phone is extremely powerful, and you can do everything on it from navigation to taking excellent photos with its 3-camera setup. You just can't beat the iPhone when it comes to phone cameras.
Toiletries Packing List:
Do not forget to pack all the toiletries you need for your trip. Most of the time, you can buy them in convenience stores in Southeast Asia for cheap, but things like sunblocks can be quite pricey here, so you will probably save more by buying them beforehand.
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Sunblock
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hand Sanitizer (very important during this COVID time)
- Nail Cutter
- Wet Wipes
- Travel Medical Kit (pain killers, band airs, etc.)
- For Men: Shaver
- For Women: Make-up, menstrual cup, and other lotion if you need.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Thailand
Looking for more information for your trip to Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Thailand that you might find useful:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3-Month Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Want to spend one month backpacking around Thailand? Check out: One Month Itinerary for Thailand.
- Have 2 weeks in Thailand? Check out this itinerary: 2 Weeks Backpacking Thailand Itinerary.
- Have only 10 days in Thailand? This itinerary might be more suited for you: 10-Day Itinerary for Thailand.
- Planning a trip to Thailand? Here are the 11 Best Places to Visit in Thailand.
- Thailand is incredibly rich in history, with ancient cities scattered across its landscapes. If you’re looking to explore some of the country’s most remarkable historical sites, don’t miss this guide: Discover Thailand's Rich History: 12 Best Historical Sites to Visit.
- Looking to go off the beaten path in Thailand? Check out the 10 Best Hidden Gems to Visit in Thailand.
- Wondering when the best time to visit Thailand is? Here is a complete guide on picking The Best Time to Visit Thailand.
- Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
- Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
- If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
- For a complete backpacking itinerary for Thailand, check out the 10 Days Backpacking Itinerary for Thailand.
- More often than not, your journey in Thailand will begin in Bangkok. Here is a One Day in Bangkok Itinerary.
- Have more than one day in Bangkok? I highly recommend that you spend at least 3 days in Bangkok. Here is a complete 3 Days Itinerary for Bangkok.
- For more things to do in Bangkok, check out the 16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok.
- Wondering which temples are worth visiting in Bangkok? Check out: 10 BEST Temples to Visit in Bangkok.
- There is no need for an introduction to the renowned old capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai. Here are the 20 best things to do in Chiang Mai, according to the locals.
- One of the best road trips you can make in Thailand is traversing the Mae Hong Son Loop. Here's a complete backpacking guide and 10-day itinerary for the Mae Hong Son Loop.
- Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand, Central Thailand, or Southern Thailand?
- Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
- For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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