Pack Like a Pro: Your Ultimate Thailand Packing Guide
PLANNING A BACKPACKING THAILAND TRIP FOR 2 WEEKS IN NOVEMBER TO FEBRUARY? THIS PACKING LIST FOR BACKPACKING THAILAND WILL HELP YOU PACK LIGHT WHILE STAYING READY FOR TEMPLES, BEACHES, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.
Our first introduction to Thailand was when spend our university semester here. The second time, we stayed for a few months a break after the first year of our world trip. So we've been here for almost a year total, and honestly? We made some mistakes that first visit. We've written this packing list for both men and women.
Some things we wished we had packed from the start. Like a lightweight long-sleeve shirt for the freezing malls. And a sarong we could easily throw on for temple visits.
Other things we learned were way better to buy once we got there. Tiger Balm, for one. It's cheaper and everywhere.
We put this list together to help you whether you're hiking in the north, heading to the islands, or visiting Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
This packing list is everything we've figured out along the way.
Suitcase or Trekking Backpack
Thailand is NOT an accessible country, so traveling with a trekking backpackis convenient. Thailand is diverse. You'll go from busy cities to quiet islands, and maybe even jungle hikes. We learned quickly that a backpack is your best friend here.
Before we started our world trip, we did our homework. We tested a lot of backpacks. We loaded them with weight, walked around, adjusted straps, and really put them through the wringer. We wanted to make sure we had the ones that fit our bodies and could handle the quality demands of long-term travel. We've put these bags through a lot, and they've held up beautifully. If you're looking for a backpack that will last you through Thailand and beyond, we trust Osprey Aether 55.
The sidewalks? Often uneven or just... not there. Dragging a suitcase would be a nightmare. A backpack is so much easier to carry, whether you're walking on broken sidewalks, dirt roads, squeezing into a tuk-tuk, or hopping on a small boat.
Packing Organization
To keep things organized and find everything easily inside our backpacks, we love using packing cubes. We sort everything into different cubes, shirts in one, bottoms in another, underwear in a small one. It makes it super easy to just pull out what you need without messing up the rest of your backpack.
For shoes, we use fabric bags. We've done trekking tours early in the morning and had to keep traveling just a few hours later. Wet or muddy shoes go straight into the bag, and they don't ruin anything else in our backpack.
Toiletry bags are so necessary. Nothing ruins a travel day like opening your backpack to find any liquid smeared all over your clean shirts. We use a hanging toiletry bag to hang them on a hook, a door, or even a tree branch if you're camping. Everything stays organized, and if something leaks, it's contained. We’ve had many over the years. But our favorite one now is a light toiletry bag, that's waterproof and has a hook and a small mirror inside.
Daypack
We tried a million daypacks before finding the right one and love our 25 L Fjällraven Abisko. We wanted a backpack with zippers that aren't easy to open from the outside, because of pickpocketing. We also wanted good back support, since a flimsy bag gets uncomfortable fast when you're carrying it for a while. We needed water bottle pockets to beat Thailand's heat. After some trial and error, we finally found one that works. We use it every single day for the beach, hiking and daily sightseeing. We have a list of the daypack items we rely on every day.
We also have a small foldable from Vaude Unuk II and flat backpack for days were we don’t need to carry much. It is also waterproof and not easy to open giving you pickpocketing protection.
For Thailand, a helpful traveler’s tip is to carry toilet paper, hand sanitizer and liquid soap in a travel-sized refillable bottle in your backpack, as public restrooms may not have these supplies. Thailand hygiene standard is to use the famous bum gun, so they do not rely on toilet paper. You probably will not find toilet paper or soap in most public restrooms.
Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are also a must. You can buy the mosquito repellent cheaper in Thailand. However, sunscreen can be very expensive, so make sure to bring a few from home.
READ |Everyday Essentials: The Must-Have Items in our Daypack
BUY | Items in Our Bag: Daily Travel Edition on Amazon
CHECK | All our travel must-haves in our Amazon Storefront list
Clothing & Shoes for Thailand
We recommend packing light. The less you carry, the easier it will be to hop on and off public transport, squeeze into taxis, or walk along uneven streets. We suggest bringing no more than 7–10 days worth of clothes. There are laundry services everywhere, they are usually cheap and fast. You can drop off a bag of laundry in the morning and pick it up fresh the same evening. Read more about doing laundry below.
Thailand’s heat and humidity make lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton your best choice. Avoid heavy or synthetic materials that trap heat. A light rain jacket or poncho can be useful, especially during the rainy season, and quick-dry clothing helps you stay comfortable.
For footwear, sandals are great, but be cautious, many sidewalks and paths are in poor condition, so watch your step. Flip-flops are fine if you're confident in them, but they should offer little support, and it's easy to twist an ankle. If you plan on walking a lot, comfortable sneakers with good grip are a better option.
In the evenings, long-sleeved shirts and lightweight pants not only keep you comfortable but also help protect against mosquito bites. And while beachwear is totally fine at the beach, in smaller towns it’s appreciated if you wear a cover-up when walking to and from the beach.
When visiting temples, palaces, and other cultural or religious sites in Thailand, it’s important to dress respectfully by covering your shoulders and knees, as you won’t be allowed to enter otherwise. While most people dress conservatively, it’s common to see locals in shorts and skirts, but revealing cleavage is not the norm. We encourage you to avoid wearing bikinis, going shirtless, or wearing see-through dresses outside the beach! This is not part of Thai culture, and respectful behavior is always appreciated.
We’ve added all the items from our packing list to our Amazon storefront so you can easily find the products we love, use, and have personally tested during our travels.
To make things even easier, we also created a special section with modest clothing picks, for shopping or just outfit inspiration, based on what worked for us in Thailand.
CLOTHING PACKING LIST
CLOTHING & SHOES
7x undies
5x socks
1x sleepwear
1x sneakers
1x flip flops
MALE
FEMALE
3x bras
1x sports bra
3x t-shirts
Toiletries for Thailand
You’ll probably find most of your usual toiletries in Thailand, so no need to overpack. Still, we recommend bringing enough sunscreen for your stay, as it can cost $US20 in Thailand. Don’t forget your solid shampoo or soap bars and any personal skincare products you can’t go without.
We try to reduce our liquids and use solid products to make carry-on travel easier and refill our favorite products instead of buying new travel-sized ones each time. Remember that for carry-on liquids each container must be no larger than 100ml (3.4 ounces) and have a total of 1 liter (about 1 quart) in refillable bottles.
TOILETRIES
contact lenses, glasses, contact lenses supplies
FEMALE
feminine hygiene products (menstrual cup & period underwear)
make up & make up brushes
Feminine Hygiene for Thailand
For menstrual cup users it is easy to clean your cup on the go. Most of the toilets have a bum gun and/or a faucet for the bucket and mug. You might not always find hand soap, so bring a small refillable bottle along.
If sustainability and comfort is important for you, consider bringing period underwear. It is very comfortable and you do not have to worry about public toilets. They are very comfortable and you have nothing to worry about, if you will be doing long bus rides.
You will be able to find pads without any issue, but buying and finding tampons in Thailand are a rare find. Bring enough from home for your stay.
READ |Traveling on Your Period? Tips & Products to Stay Comfortable
TRAVEL MENSTRUAL ESSENTIALS
Electronics
You won’t need much, but a few key electronics make traveling in Thailand a lot smoother.
Be sure to pack a power bank for long days out and good noise-canceling earphones for bus or plane rides.
An absolute must-have is a universal travel adapter to fit into the Type A,B, C,F & O (same as in USA) outlets in Thailand. A handy trick is to choose one with multiple USB ports to charge all your devices at once.
A lightweight travel fan can also come in handy in the tropical heat.
TRAVEL ELECTRONICS
smartphone & charger
camera, memory card & charger
power bank
Camera Gear
If you love taking photos as much as we do, Thailand will keep your camera busy every single day. You’ll want to be ready for every kind of shot.
We always travel with our camera, drone, instax and phone setup, plus a few small accessories that make a huge difference. Think extra SD cards, waterproof cases, spare batteries, lens cloths, and a lightweight tripod for those sunrise and night shots.
If you’re curious about what’s in our camera bag or want ideas for upgrading your setup, check out our full post on our travel photography gear, we break down exactly what we use and why it works so well for travel days.
Sustainable Recommendations
We always carry our reusable water bottles since we can always refill it in most countries, including Thailand. We advice you to buy one water gallon at a convenience store and search for water dispensers machine in your area. You can get 1 liter for ฿1 with these machines. If you will be staying for a longer period, ask your hosts where you can buy a 20L water dispenser. This normally cost ฿17. We do this to avoid buying a million plastic bottles of water.
We always carry a compact & foldable reusable bag for groceries or beach trips, and it’s super helpful if we need to lighten our luggage at the airport, allowing us to shift items into our carry-on. For hikes or visits to street food markets, we recommend investing in collapsible food containers, along with reusable cutlery and metal straws.
Additionally, we keep a travel-sized reusable bottle filled with sunscreen in our daypack for easy access throughout the day. Find out more about sustainable travel essentials in our guide below.
TRAVEL SUSTAINABLE FAVORITES
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Doing Laundry in Thailand
We recommend packing light, as doing laundry in Thailand is quick and easy. Laundromats are widely available, often just around the corner, and your clothes will be ready in about an hour.
Be prepared, bring a reusable travel-sized bottle with your favorite detergent, as you can not buy it at laundromats. Another option is to pay at your accommodations offer laundry services, they normally charge per piece or weight.
Don’t forget to pack a laundry mesh bag for both sustainability and to protect your delicates while traveling Thailand.
READ |Laundry on the go - the best tips based on our experience.
OUR TRAVEL LAUNDRY SET UP
Flight Bag Essentials for Thailand
Long flights to and within Thailand can feel much smoother with a few essentials by your side. We always pack in a small clear toiletry bag in our small carry-on backpack our comfort and entertainment must-haves. Things like a neck pillow, noise-canceling headphones, a refillable water bottle, and a power bank. These little items make all the difference during long travel days.
BUY | Flight Bag Favorite Products on Amazon
READ |Comfort Meets Minimalism: Essentials for Your Next Flight
Safety in Thailand
Thailand is a safe country, with low crime rates. Pick-pocketing might happen, but it's rare. We advice you to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.
Learn more about how we prioritize safety while traveling here.
Emergency? No problem. We always get an Saily eSIM and kept our phones ready to call or navigate. When you're always online, you feel more secure knowing help, maps, or communication are just a tap away.
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Stay Healthy in Thailand
Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required for entry into Thailand unless you're traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever.
We advice you to consult with a healthcare provider before traveling.
Recommended Vaccinations for Thailand:
Routine Vaccinations: Make sure you’re up to date on the standard vaccinations, including:
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
Polio
Influenza
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Hepatitis B: It is recommended for travelers who may have exposure to blood or bodily fluids, such as those planning on staying long-term, seeking medical treatment, or engaging in high-risk activities.
Typhoid: If you plan to visit more rural areas or eat food from street vendors, the typhoid vaccine is recommended as it protects against foodborne bacteria that can cause infection.
Japanese Encephalitis: This is recommended for travelers who will be spending significant time outdoors in rural areas or near farms, particularly during the warmer months when mosquitoes are more prevalent.
Rabies: Rabies is a major concern in Thailand, it’s recommended for travelers who may have close contact with stray dogs and monkeys.
Travel Insurance for Thailand
Travel health insurance is essential for any trip, covering unexpected medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and emergency treatments. It ensures you receive the care you need while protecting you from high medical costs. This is especially important when traveling to unfamiliar destinations or regions with limited healthcare access, where quality medical treatment may not be readily available. To help you find the best coverage for your trip, we’ve put together a guide—here’s what to look for.
Payment Methods for Thailand
Thailand is can be very credit card-friendly country and most shops accept card payments without charging transaction fees. However, it’s still good to carry some cash, especially for small eateries and night markets. ATMs are widely available, especially in convenience stores, and most will charge withdrawal fees.
WISE: OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL CARD!
We use Wiseeverywhere: fair rates, easy cash withdrawals, and no hidden fees.
Travel Documents for Thailand
Keep your passport, travel insurance, and flight confirmations easily accessible, preferably both digital and printed. We always keep our important documents safely stored in a waterproof pouch and backed up online, just in case.
DON’T FORGET THESE DOCUMENTS
Passport (with at least 6 months validity)
Visa (if required)
Flight tickets / boarding passes
Hotel booking confirmations
Travel insurance details
Photocopies / scans of important documents (passport, visa, travel insurance)
International drivers license
Student ID
READY FOR YOUR THAILAND TRIP?
KEEP EXPLORING | Things we loved to do in Koh Lanta
THAILAND ESSENTIALS | Everything you need to pack for Thailand
WORRY-FREE SPENDING | Our favorite way to pay abroad WISE card
BUDGET TRAVEL | Our tips on how we save moneyon every trip
TRIP PLANNING | Don't miss a detail! Use our ultimate trip planning checklist to ensure you’re ready for takeoff
PROTECT YOUR TRIP | We stay safe from medical emergencies with HeyMondo (5% discount) & SafetyWing (for digital nomads)
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING | See the Eco-Swaps that made our Thailand trip more sustainable
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Pack a lightweight rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, waterproof bags, and sandals with good grip. Expect sudden rain showers between May and October.
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You might be able to find some small packages at some convenience stores. However, not all convenience stores might have them, they are expensive and there is not much brands or varieties to choose from.
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Women should pack lightweight dresses, crop tops, loose pants, shorts, swimwear, flip-flops, and a scarf for temple visits. Essentials also include sunscreen, skincare, and a small crossbody bag.
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