If you’re planning a vacation to this captivating southeast Asian destination and wondering what to pack for Thailand, keep two words in mind: heat and humidity. The high season for tourism in Thailand usually spans from November to March, a period known for its relatively cooler weather and lower humidity compared to the rains of summer months. But still, the sweltering climate can be a shock to first-time visitors.
A trip to Thailand might encompass island-hopping in the turquoise waters near Koh Samui, relaxing on a beautiful beach in Phuket, experiencing the cosmopolitan nightlife of Bangkok, or exploring the temples and jungles near Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north. So knowing what to pack for Thailand to accommodate a range of activities and adventures will be key.
Lightweight, Breathable T-shirts & Shorts
Shirts
You will likely want to spend most of your time in Thailand wearing loose, short-sleeved tops and shorts in order to be comfortable walking and exploring in 70% humidity. Essential considerations when choosing fabrics: leave leather, denim, and polyester behind, and opt for linen, light cotton, and athletic clothes instead.
River cruise in Bangkok
Remember, you may be sweating plenty, and heavy fabrics glued to your skin as you contemplate delicate temple architecture will be the last thing you want on your mind.
Keep in mind that Thailand is a Buddhist country, and while tourists are not expected to cover up outside of temples, most Thai locals you’ll encounter will dress modestly. For women travelers, avoid packing too-short shorts or tank tops that show shoulders or have a low neckline if you want to be mindful of local customs.
For men, it is also more respectful to wear short-sleeved shirts as opposed to tank tops. In beach towns such as Phuket with developed tourism industries, you can more comfortably wear what you usually would pack for a beach vacation.
A Light Jacket or Long-sleeved Layer
Bangkok
Air-conditioning is ubiquitous in hotels, museums, upscale restaurants, and malls in Thailand, so it’s a good idea to pack a light layer if you are sensitive to AC-manufactured cold.
Depending on your travel itinerary, it’s possible temperatures will be slightly cooler at night but don’t pack a heavier jacket or coat: it’ll take up unnecessary space in your suitcase, and even the coolest temperatures outdoors will likely be pleasantly balmy.
A cardigan or thin long-sleeved shirt that can fit easily into a day bag can also come in handy when you’re visiting temples, as you’ll want a garment that can cover up your shoulders.
Large, Lightweight Scarf or Shawl
Wat Arun, Bangkok
A sarong, scarf, or breathable shawl can come in very handy when visiting Thailand. If you enter a temple or religious site and want to cover up, it is acceptable to do so by wrapping a scarf around your shoulders. Keep in mind that your legs should also be covered during such visits, so if you are wearing appropriate clothing on top but have short shorts or a skirt, wrapping a sarong securely around your waist to cover past your knees is also an option.
If you’re visiting the beach, a scarf or sarong is also an easy cover-up while walking through town, or to have handy if you’re sipping ocean-side cocktails on a breezy evening.
Dress or Dressy-Casual Clothing
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Although you can expect plenty of walking, nature, or relaxed beachwear in Thailand, it is also a country that offers plenty of occasions for visitors to dress up for a more glamorous evening out, especially if you are in Bangkok.
The metropolis boasts world-class restaurants and bars regularly ranked in Asia’s Top 50 list, and if you like to take in views from up high, get fancy for a night out at Bangkok’s famous rooftop bars. Visitor favorites include Sirocco Sky Bar and Moon Bar for 360-degree views of the city’s skyline.
If you want a cue from how local Thai people dress, think: comfortable, modest, and put-together.
Flip-Flops or Sandals
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Shoes that are easy to slide into for a stroll to the beach or a stroll around town are sure to be a good companion for your Thailand trip. On a food outing, at street food stalls and most no-frills restaurants, you’ll find that flip-flops are the ubiquitous choice for most travelers.
You may also find yourself removing footwear frequently to enter homes, temples, or other sacred places, so something easy to get in and out will be handy.
Closed-Toe Sneakers or Walking Shoes
Sneakers
On the other hand, if you’re planning for a jungle trek or a sturdier day of walking around a larger city Bangkok, packing comfortable and closed-toe walking shoes is a must.
If you visit a wet market, a town with not-so-recently-paved roads, or a nightlife gathering where the dancefloor might get messy, wearing sturdier shoes will also be a good idea.
Read: Two Days in Bangkok
A Lightweight Rain Jacket
Rain jacket
If you’re visiting Thailand during its shoulder seasons—April to June or September to October— or during its rainy season, July and August, it would be wise to pack a light rain jacket in case of sudden, unpredictable rain.
Opt for the kind that is compact and easily rollable to minimize space in your luggage. If you’re in Thailand during the dry season, you could forgo a rain jacket altogether and pop into a 7-11 minimarket for a small umbrella on the off-chance you see a drizzle in the forecast.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Travelers report that sunscreen is the one item they’re most glad they brought from home when planning what to pack for Thailand. Although sunscreen is available for purchase in Thailand and major brands like Nivea or Banana Boat are common, they are usually much more expensive due to import taxes, and many brands on offer contain whitening agents alongside SPF.
If you have access to reef-safe sunscreen at home and are planning to visit one of Thailand’s many pristine beaches, it would be a great idea to bring some. Reef-safe sunscreen is relatively rare in local Thai stores and coral reefs in southern Thailand are vulnerable to chemicals in sunscreen runoff from swelling tourist populations.
Light Sun Hat
Grand Palace, Bangkok
While we’re on the subject of sunshine, do except plenty of it if you’re visiting Thailand during the dry season. Packing a hat to protect your head and your face from UV rays will help, especially if you’re out for a long day of sightseeing.
A baseball cap or small sun hat will be easy to pack, but if you’re looking for more beachy headwear, wide-brimmed straw hats can also be found at souvenir stalls around seaside towns or resorts. Just make sure you have room to pack it as a souvenir for your trip home.
Sunglasses
Grand Palace, Bangkok
This one goes without saying–you’ll want sunglasses in Thailand, so don’t forget them at home. If you’re planning on spending time by the beach, consider packing a sports-friendly, water-resistant pair that you won’t mind bringing with you into the water as you float in a crystal-clear cove.
You can buy sunglasses in souvenir shops and night markets but they will most likely be fake—and they’re also unlikely to have UV protection, so beware.
Insect Repellent
Insect repellent
Thailand’s humid, tropical climate and bountiful natural beauty means that along with the lush flora and fauna will come those pesky mosquitoes. If you have a favorite brand of insect repellent at home that works effectively on your skin and clothes, it’d be worth packing it into your suitcase.
Repellent options will be on sale in local stores in Thailand, but they may be citronella-based, without DEET, or with chemical formulas that are new to you. If you have sensitive skin or are especially susceptible to mosquito bites, bring a trusted brand from home with a proven value for keeping the bugs away.
Swimsuit
Swimsuit
Whether it is the beautiful cliff-lined coves of Krabi, the tranquil white sand beaches of Koh Samui, or an infinity pool at a skyscraper hotel Bangkok, chances are you’ll want to take a dip while on a vacation in Thailand.
Although the local dress code in Thai culture is more conservative and modest when it comes to urban or daily wear, as a tourist visiting beaches or pools, you can feel comfortable wearing the swimsuits you usually wear at home, including bikinis.
If you do walk from the beach to town for a smoothie, lunch, or quick shop, do cover-up with a sarong or other clothing to be a considerate traveler.
Reusable Water Bottle
Reusable water bottle
Thailand is integrating increasingly eco-conscious practices in the face of swelling tourism numbers, and the plastic waste resulting from visitors’ consumption of countless plastic water bottles has been a big environmental concern.
While tap water in Thailand is not drinkable, instead of hydrating by carrying or purchasing dozens of plastic bottles, keep a reusable water bottle handy, and refill it at ubiquitous filtered-water stations around hotels, shops, malls, and public sites in Thailand.
A Lightweight Day Pack
Day pack
There’s one common piece of wisdom among travelers deciding what to pack for Thailand: you likely will be walking a lot, because Thailand’s bustling streets, markets, beaches, jungles, temples, and waterfalls will be calling to you and make for packed itineraries.
A day backpack you can bring on multi-hour excursions or long walks will prove useful for carrying water, sunscreen, bug repellent, local currency, beach towels, and a scarf or sarong you can use as a cover-up to step into that small, exquisite temple you accidentally stumbled upon.
Power Adapter
Power adapter
Many outlets in Thailand are adapted for North American and European chargers, but British and Australian travelers will especially want to pack a universal travel adapter. The electrical system in Thailand is 220V, which is usable for most 110V phones, cameras, laptops, and other electronics, but if you have more sensitive devices, double-check whether you will also need a voltage adapter.
Electrolytes & Imodium Tablets
Electrolyte tablets
Once you’ve confirmed with your doctor that your vaccinations are in order for visiting Southeast Asia, you can expect to find effective medication for most common ailments in Thai pharmacies.
However, if you’re not used to extended active hours in hot, humid climates, packing electrolyte tablets to dissolve into your water bottle will make sure you stay hydrated.
If you’re a newcomer to Thailand’s world-renowned cuisine and want to try all the curries, boat noodles, and laarb salads you encounter at roadside eateries, bring some imodium tablets. This is just a precaution in case your stomach needs time to adjust to the spice and new ingredients in Thailand’s fiery, complex dishes.
Thailand Packing List FAQs
Should I pack conservative clothing for visiting temples in Thailand?
Grand Palace, Bangkok
When visiting temples or other sacred sites for which Thailand is renowned, modesty and cultural respect are of the utmost importance for both men and women. You should be ready to cover your shoulders and your knees when entering a temple.
You don’t need to overpack with various sets of long-sleeved shirts and pants, however—a large scarf that can be wrapped around your shoulders is acceptable temple wear. Loose linen or cotton pants that cover your knees and your ankles may also be useful on days you know you will be visiting religious sites.
Do I need to bring warm clothes to Thailand?
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Bring thin layers for the indoors: air-conditioning will likely be the greatest source of chilliness you encounter while in Thailand. A thin jacket or cardigan should suffice; otherwise, loose, breathable long pants are also great for covering your lower body while visiting temples, shielding against the tropical sun, and warding off mosquitoes in the evening time. Thick denim, thermal underwear, and woolen sweaters can stay home.
What can't you bring into Thailand?
Wat Traimit, Bangkok
Although products containing THC are legal in many countries and states in North America and Europe now, they are still classified as illegal in Thailand, so do not pack that gummy to help you sleep.
If you’re visiting Thailand as part of a longer multi-country tour, do not bring endangered animal and plant products such as ivory or coral jewelry. In terms of what not to bring out of Thailand, the same rules apply; be especially mindful of not buying Thai souvenirs depicting Buddha or Buddha statues. This is heavily frowned upon and considered disrespectful, and buying Buddha statues of over 12cm in size is outright illegal.
Are there items I should buy locally while in Thailand?
Thai silk
If you want a functional purchase to kick off souvenir shopping in Thailand, make it one of the colorful sarongs sold everywhere from temple-side markets to beach cafés. A sarong is essentially a large, light scarf that you can use to cover up when visiting temples or walking from the beach; it also makes for an excellent beach towel in a pinch.
An insider tip: if you’re out on a hot day, humidify your sarong with some cold water and wrap it around your shoulders or head if you feel like you are overheating.
And if you fall prey to Thailand’s voracious mosquitoes, consider picking up a local favorite anti-itch cream: Tiger Balm. The minty, cooling ointment is a miracle cure for insect bites and even sore muscles.
Wat Arun, Bangkok
Now that you know what to pack for Asia’s tropics, it’s time to dream up your perfect itinerary. Browse Celebrity’s cruises to Thailand and plan your next exciting vacation.
