Last Updated on 13 March, 2024
Planning a trip to Thailand and wondering what to pack? I’ve got you! Having travelled to Thailand for 3 weeks with a carry-on size backpack only, I can now safely say I have a good idea of what to pack. Whether you’re travelling for a week or four weeks, this packing list for Thailand has everything you’ll need.
Thailand, the Land of Smiles, is an amazing country rich in culture, beautiful temples, mouth-watering food, breathtaking landscapes, and friendly people. Travelling light, as I learned, gives you more freedom, and saves time and energy to make the most of your trip.
Here’s your ultimate packing list for Thailand:
A suitcase or a backpack?
A suitcase can be great in most places where the surface is flat. But a backpack is way more convenient when you’re going from place to place, from the city to the beach, then to the jungle. Try manoeuvring a suitcase down a busy street with dusty roads, potholes and uneven pavements or wheeling it across a sandy beach to your accommodation! Once, I was lucky enough to get a motorbike ride from a restaurant owner in Chiang Rai, but had I not had a backpack I wouldn’t have been able to accept that ride. Therefore, I highly recommend you take a backpack.
![The Ultimate Packing List for Thailand (Carry-On)](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Ultimate-Packing-List-for-Thailand-Carry-On-1-576x1024.jpg)
![The Ultimate Packing List for Thailand (Carry-On)](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image.jpeg)
![Osprey backpack for The Ultimate Packing List for Thailand (Carry-On)](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/farpoint_40_side_volcanic_grey_1_1-300x300.jpg)
When choosing a backpack, it’s very important to consider itsย comfort,ย durability, andย practicality.
How comfortable are the straps? Are they padded, or are they digging into your shoulders? Does it have a chest strap for added support? It might be a good idea to fill it with the items you’re planning to pack and test it at home.
Secondly, a good quality backpack is essential to ensure the seams don’t split and the zips don’t break during your trip. More often than not, more expensive means better quality when it comes to backpacks. But it should last you a long time, so you would save money in the long run.
And lastly, how practical is it? Does it have multiple compartments and pockets to help you stay organised? How easy is the opening? If it’s a single large compartment, finding your items could be a nightmare as you’d need to empty the entire backpack each time. A practical backpack can significantly enhance your travel experience.
I chose Osprey Farpoint 40 and I was very happy with it:
โ Carry-On luggage size – no checked bag fees and always safe with you
โ Lightweight
โ Opens up like a suitcase for easy access
โ Has an internal compression strap system
โ Padded laptop and tablet sleeve
โ Lockable zippers
โ Harness and hip belt can be zipped away and worn as a shoulder bag with a detachable strap
Other backpacks I recommend:
โ Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L
โ Tropicfeel Shell Backpack
โ Stubble & Co The Adventure Bag
Clothes
Luckily, Thailand is warm all year round, making packing a lot easier as most of what you will bring is lightweight. However, you need to keep in mind that Thais tend to dress a bit more conservatively, and walking around in crop or bikini tops and hot pants, especially to the temples, isn’t appropriate.
When preparing your packing list for Thailand, remember that you only need to bring a week’s worth of clothes thanks to easy access to laundry services, which cost around 100thb (โยฃ2.39) per kilo. You can have your clothes washed and ironed within a day or two. There are also great markets where you can find clothes for very cheap if you feel you’re short of an item or two and can still fit it in your bag.
What clothes to include in your ultimate packing list for Thailand:
![Purple classic elephant harem pants](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/purple-classic-elephant-harem-pants-harem-pants-595993100306_2048x-200x300.jpg)
โ 4-5 t-shirt/tank tops – I remember I packed mainly t-shirts and bought a cute tank top for ยฃ1 in the Chiang Mai market
โ 1 pair of denim shorts – for walking around (just make sure they are not super short where your cheeks are showing)
โ 1 pair of comfy fabric shorts – for bed or lounging around
โ 1 above knee length skirt – one that’s good for the day but can also be dressed up
โ 1-2 dresses – I initially packed only 1 short-sleeved dress, but ended up buying a spaghetti strap dress in Phi Phi Islands
โ 1 long sleeve shirt – you’re expected to cover your shoulders when you enter a temple and perfect for not so hot places like up north during winter
โ 1 pair of flowy trousers – buy them in the markets! Perfect for visiting temples, lounging around or sleeping. I literally lived in my elephant harem trousers, they are so soft and comfy and only cost ยฃ3!
โ Leggings – I wore these on long haul flights and early mornings in the north, they are comfy and take little space in the backpack when I didn’t need them
โ Fleece – for when it gets chilly on the flights and bus rides or if you’re staying in the north during winter
โ A scarf – for extra warmth when needed, and to cover your shoulders when visiting temples
โ 2 bathing suits
โ Sarong – works as a beach cover-up, a towel, head protection from the sun, a blanket or a scarf. You can also buy it in the markets!
โ A packable and durable rain jacket/poncho – it does rain in Thailand even during the dry season! I was there in January and it poured twice during my trip. I had to wait for a taxi on the side of the road under a tree (thanks, tree!) in the pouring rain and wished I had a rain jacket. The second time I got caught in the rain I was in the markets and bought a plastic poncho.
โ 2 bras – one with straps that can be worn a multitude of ways for a versatile wear
โ Underwear
Before you start filling up your backpack with clothes, I highly recommend getting yourself some packing cubes.
![packing cubes for Osprey backpack for The Ultimate Packing List for Thailand (Carry-On)](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/91uc3GYHCzL._SX355_.jpg)
They are inexpensive but very invaluable when it comes to packing a carry-on. Packing cubes will allow you to pack your clothes more efficiently and stay organised by grouping your clothing. You will know what’s in each cube and have easy access to things without rummaging through your bag. Some organisers come in waterproof material to protect your clothes, and some have double sides perfect for separating clean and dirty clothes. They come in different sizes and thus can be rearranged to fit perfectly in your bag, so don’t forget to include this in your packing list for Thailand!
Shoes
![](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/61hLL8TQNjL._UL1024_-300x200.jpg)
Since it’s so warm in Thailand, you only really need heavy footwear if you plan on hiking or running while you’re there. I wore espadrilles on the flights and bus journeys and packed flip-flops and sandals, which took very little space in my backpack.
โ Good quality flip flops
โ Comfy flat sandals
โ Lightweight shoes e.g. espadrilles
Toiletries
Most toiletries are easy to find in Thailand, but if you only have a carry-on, you must be mindful of their sizes and quantities. Also, some creams, face washes, and deodorants have whitening agents, so pay attention if you want to avoid using them. I try to find solid versions of liquid toiletries (Lush is perfect for this!). Still, I usually pour liquids into travel-sized bottles if I have to pack them. So here are the essentials to include in your ultimate packing list for Thailand:
![Toothpaste tablets](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/The-Ultimate-Packing-List-For-Thailand.jpg)
โ Face washย
โ Face moisturiser with SPF
โ Lip balm
โ Hand cream
โ Sunscreen – ย a few travel sized ones as it’s quite pricey in Thailand!
โ Deodorant stick – I like Wild travel version
โ Solid shampooย – discovering this shampoo was the best thing ever
โ Solid hair conditioner
โ Toothpaste tablets
โ Razor
โ Tweezers
โ Nail file
โ Mosquito spray – they bite all day, every day, best to come prepared
โ Hand sanitiser
โ Wet toilet tissues
โ Pocket tissues
โ Makeup – I packed just the essentials and most times didn’t even wear it, especially on the islands
โ Mini perfume bottle
Electronics
![](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/51zN0Newq6L._AC_SL1001_-300x173.jpg)
โ Chargers
โ Adaptors
โ Portable charger
โ Headphones
โ Kindle
โ Laptop
โ Camera + selfie stick – I used GoPro which was perfect for scuba diving and small enough for a carry-on
โ Headtorch – if you’re staying in a hostel and arrive late or need to leave early, you don’t want to switch on the lights! It gives you free hands to do whatever you need to do without waking up the whole room.
โ Extension lead – I bought this in Thailand after realising that, if you’re staying in a hostel, sometimes you only get 1 socket by your bed which I found wasn’t enough when I wanted to charge my phone and my camera and my portable charger at the same time!
![](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ps023-absolute-cotton-turkish-towel-pestemal-ecru-striped-on-dark-blue-a19376-800x800-300x300.jpg)
Other items
โ Turkish towel – compact, absorbent and quick drying. If you’re staying in the dorms, they will have towels but most of the time you’ll have to pay for it. I packed two – one for the shower, and one for the beach, but you can get away with just one.
โ Sunglasses
โ Cross body bag
โ A small first aid kit – pharmacies in Thailand are easy to find but having essentials with you when you need them immediately can be very helpful
โ Earplugs – if you’re staying in the dorms and want a good night’s sleep
โ Padlock – for locking your backpack zips or locker if you’re staying in the dorms. I recommend TSA approved 4 digit padlock.
โ Mini sewing kit
โ Travel insurance
โ Copies of IDs and passport
โ Printouts of itineraries/booking confirmations
I hope this packing list for Thailand is helpful and if you have any questions, please leave a comment or contact me. Remember, that you only really need the basics. Focusing on comfort allows you to enjoy whatever you’re doing more and at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you look like (as long as it’s appropriate), you’re there to enjoy yourself, connect with people, and learn about the wonderful country and its culture.
Pin this post for later!
![The Ultimate Packing List for Thailand Pin](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Ultimate-Packing-List-for-Thailand-Pin-1-683x1024.jpg)
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