Category: Thailand Packing List

While Thailand is not a huge country, it has very different climates pending on where you are. From the bustling city, to the forested mountainsides, to the beach paradises, all of the areas require different attired! Don’t fret though, this series of Thailand packing posts will cover all of the different areas so you will have everything you need for a perfect trip!

Phuket Packing List

by The Impatient Traveler, posted in Asia, Packing Guides, Phuket, Thailand Packing List

Phuket packing guide

Phuket and the surrounding islands are full of beautiful beaches and tropical adventures! Between sea-canoeing, swimming in resort pools, walking the beach, visiting popular islands, and walking the night markets, there is tons to do and lots to pack. Fingers crossed sunshine will be the only thing in your trip’s forecast, but during monsoon season (May – November), it rains like crazy on the coast, so you will want to ensure you are prepared no matter what!

Snorkeling outside of Maya Bay in the Phi Phi islands, Thailand

With all of that said, below are my recommendations for making the most out of your Phuket packing space:

Chaco Dorra Sandals  | NeatPack Foldable Backpack | Forever 21 Floppy Sun Hat | Cheap sunglasses bought in the night markets so if they go for a swim, its OK | a poncho & umbrella | Everything But Water Sundress | Everything But Water Bikini | Flowy Romper | Universal Bastex Dry Bag Wterproof Phone Case

Clothing:

  • Tank top: Light, breathable tanks that do not reveal too much but keep you cool. Make sure they can match with lots of prints so, if you buy clothes in Thailand, you can mix and match!
  • Shorts: That will not chafe and are comfortable / easy on / off when wet.
  • Easy on / off romper: Perfect to wear to the beach or resort pool as a cover up.
  • Athletic capri leggings and top for excursions: Focus on light, breathable, sweat-wicking, and easy to clean clothes for your zip-line or adventurous tours.
  • Formal wear: Flowy dresses or nice skirt / top combo. Remember, Thailand is a very conservative country so try not to reveal too much.
  • Bathing suit (2): Bring a strapless one for your lazy days on the beach or at the pool so you won’t get crazy tan lines. Bring a second one that ties around the neck and wont fall off while you are snorkeling or going on excursions with more movement.
  • Poncho or rain jacket: to keep dry. Bring with you at all times! You never know when the sky will open up and the rain will come.

A floating fishing village outside of Phuket, Thaliand

Accessories:

  • Water bottle
  • Camera (if not your phone)
  • Umbrella: For both sun and rain protection
  • Hat and sunglasses: A MUST
  • Day bag: Pack-able backpack for your sunscreen, poncho, water and snacks, towels, and anything else you may need.
  • Sun screen: Make sure you apply often!
  • Waterproof phone carrying case: This will save your phone when you are on bumpy jet boats, in rain, and are surrounded by water.
  • Hand sanitizer

Shoes:

  • Comfortable walking sandals that can get wet and keep your feet secure from slipping around
  • Sandals for walking beach
  • Sneakers for adventure tours

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Chiang Mai Packing List

by The Impatient Traveler, posted in Chiang Mai, Packing Guides, Thailand Packing List

Chiang Mai Packing List

After the heat and humidity of Bangkok, we were not surprised that Chiang Mai was along the same lines. Walking around downtown to check out the various temples was worse than the most humid of days in Houston Texas, so wearing breathable clothes, lots of sun protection, supportive shoes, and keeping hydrated was essential!

On top of gallivanting around town, a huge draw to visiting Chiang Mai are the elephant sanctuaries. The sanctuaries are typically in the mountain areas and there was an unexpected 15 minute hike to get to our location, so sneakers and sweat-wicking active wear was the way to go. Additionally, during monsoon season (May – November), it rains like crazy and gets super muddy, so you will want to ensure you have a plan for packing and washing your clothes after the fact…. Mine was washing everything in the shower afterwards and using the hairdryer to dry things…

Wandering temples in Chiang Mai, Thailand

With all of that said, below are my recommendations for making the most out of your Chiang Mai packing space:

Chaco Dorra Sandals  | NeatPack Foldable Backpack | Forever 21 Floppy Sun Hat | Cheap sunglasses bought in the night markets so if you lose or break them, its OK | a poncho / umbrella | Under Armour UA Fly-By Capri | Coach Messenger with Pop Up Pouch Bag

Clothing:

  • Shirts (1 per day): Light, breathable tanks or tees that do not reveal too much. Make sure they can match with lots of prints so, if you buy clothes in Thailand, you can mix and match!
  • Maxi skirts or maxi dresses (1 per day): Perfect to wear at temples and they dress up and down so easily! Try and buy ones with slits so you can have a bit more ventilation.
  • Athletic capri leggings and top for jungle excursions: Focus on light, breathable, sweat wicking, and easy to clean for your muddy elephant journey or adventure into the jungle.
  • Formal wear (number pending your night plans): dresses or nice skirt / top combo. Remember, the night markets are a great way to spend an evening and are very casual so, if you only have two nights, make sure you check out a market for one of them!
  • Bathing suit: bring one on the elephant tour and make sure you check out the hotel pool to relax your body after a long day of walking in the heat!
  • Buy some elephant pants in the markets. They are the most comfy $5 pants you will ever own. I wore them almost every night!

Accessories:

  • Water bottle
  • Camera
  • Light scarf: to cover your shoulders at the temples
  • Umbrella: for both sun and rain protection
  • Hat and sunglasses: A MUST
  • Day bag: pack-able backpack recommended to put your shoes in at temples, carry your water and snacks for long days, a change of clothes for after the elephant park, and anything else you may need.
  • Sun screen & bug spray: make sure you apply often!
  • Purse: A small, zipped (for security reasons), cross-body purse, to carry your personals. Try and make sure it is easy for you to get in and out of when you need to grab your phone or camera quickly to capture your favorite moments of the trip! Also, an easy to clean leather material will help if you maintain it and pick a color that is easy to match with.
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Tissues / toilet paper: if you want some in the bathrooms…

Shoes:

  • Sneakers that can get muddy
  • Comfortable walking sandals that are easy to take on and off (at temples)
  • Sandals for walking to the spa or pool / hot tub

Bangkok Packing List

by The Impatient Traveler, posted in Asia, Bangkok, Packing Guides, Thailand, Thailand Packing List

Bangkok Packing List

Being from Texas, I figured I was used to heat and humidity, but boy did Bangkok test my tolerance! Not only was it hot, it was super humid, and when combined with the heat generated by a bustling, concrete, no-shade city, lightweight clothes and sun-gear were a must.

On top of weather control, you also have to pack for the temples. Out of respect for the Thai people, you must cover your shoulders, not show cleavage, have bottoms on that go below your knees, and take your shoes / hats off when entering and walking around Thai temples and the Royal Palace. In general, you want to make sure you are more covered-up as short or revealing clothes are not appreciated. Doing all of that while staying cool and looking cute is a challenge, but is doable!

Below are my recommendations for making the most out of your Bangkok packing space:

Chaco Dorra Sandals  | NeatPack Foldable Backpack | Frever 21 Floppy Sun Hat | Cheap sunglasses bought in the Bangkok night market so if you lose or break them, its OK | Everything But Water Bikini | Coach Messenger with Pop Up Pouch Bag

Clothing:

  • Shirts (1 per day): Light, breathable tanks or tees that do not reveal too much
  • Maxi skirts or maxi dresses (1 per day): Perfect to wear at temples and they dress up and down so easily! Try and buy ones with slits so you can have a bit more ventilation.
  • Walking pants (1-2 pending length of stay and activities): Don’t go for jeans – they are way too hot. Try active wear type pants that are light, breathable, and easy to clean. If you wear leggings, make sure your tops go substantially below your butt so are you still within temple dress code.
  • Formal wear (number pending your night plans): dresses or nice skirt / top combo. Remember, the night markets are a great way to spend an evening and are very casual so, if you only have two nights, make sure you check out a market for one of them!
  • Bathing suit: Make sure you check out the hotel pool. The So Sofitel’s pool was an amazing infinity pool and I am so glad I brought my suit!
  • Workout gear: Just in case all of the Pad Thai makes a gym date necessary…

Outside of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand

Accessories:

  • Water bottle
  • Camera
  • A scarf to cover your shoulders at the temples (note: the Royal Palace requires something more robust than a scarf. I had to buy a $2 white tee-shirt outside of the Palace entrance so I could pass the standards)
  • Umbrella: for both sun and rain protection
  • Hat and sunglasses: A MUST
  • Day bag: pack-able backpack recommended to put your shoes in at temples, carry your water, and anything else you may need.
  • Sun screen: make sure you apply often!
  • Purse: A small, zipped (for security reasons), cross-body purse, to carry your personals. Try and make sure it is easy for you to get in and out of when you need to grab your phone or camera quickly to capture your favorite moments of the trip! Also, an easy to clean leather material will help if you maintain it and pick a color that is easy to match with.
  • Hand sanitizer

Shoes:

  • Sneakers
  • Comfortable walking sandals that are easy to take on and off (at temples)
  • Sandals for walking to the spa or pool / hot tub

At the infinity pool at the So Sofitel Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand