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Thailand is a popular destination amongst Brits – in 2018 over 386,000 UK residents visited the country. A direct flight time from London to Bangkok (Thailand’s capital) is on average 11 hours and 15 minutes. With such a long flight time, on average most people visiting Thailand from the UK stay for 3 weeks.
If you’re heading off to Thailand soon? Our Thailand packing guide will ensure you don’t forget any travel essential such as your swim suit or Thai Baht.
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What to pack for Thailand Guide:
- – Travel Essentials
- – Hand luggage packing list
- – Toiletries list
- – What to wear in Thailand?
- – What to pack for Thailand (female)
- – What to pack for Thailand (male)
- – What to pack for a backpacking trip to Thailand?
- – Final note on packing for Thailand
Travel Essential – Must Haves:
- – Valid Passport
- – Photocopy of travel documents
- – Visa
- – A Pen
- – Travel insurance
- – Travel Money
- – Power Adapter
- – Smart phone
Valid Passport
Your British passport must have at least 6 months’ validity remaining from your date of entry into Thailand.
Photocopy of travel documents
A passport copy would also be extremely if you lost your passport and had to visit your embassy to obtain a new one. Thai law requires foreigners to carry their passport at all times.
Visa
British passport holders arriving by air or land can enter Thailand for 30 days without a visa (a ‘visa exemption’).
A pen
It’s also handy to pack a pen for filling out your Thailand Arrival Card for immigration.
Travel insurance
Check that your travel insurance covers you for travel to Thailand and any activities you are planning to do like scuba diving.
Travel money
It’s handy to carry some Thai currency on you, especially when visiting markets and street food vendors. Carrying cash is also handy for tipping in Thailand.
As a tourist, you should be respectful when handling Thai currency as the King’s portrait is printed on Thai notes and coins. It is actually illegal to step on Thai money.
If you’re planning a visit to Thailand in the next couple of months, it’s a good idea to start tracking the GBP to THB exchange rate so you get the best possible rate.
Buy online for our best Thai Baht exchange rate.
Power Adapter
Be sure to pack a universal power adapter and power bank for charging up your electronic devices. If you’ve forgotten it, don’t worry, you can buy a cheap adapters can found in many Phuket 7-11 or Family Mart stores.
Smart phone
Before heading off to Thailand be sure to check the cost of roaming in Thailand with your service provider. You can download Google Maps and travel guides while on WIFI to avoid racking up an expensive mobile bill.
Hand luggage packing list
- – A power bank
- – Travel sized toiletries
- – Travel pillow
- – Prescription medication
- – Flight socks
- – Change of clothes
- – Swim suit
The average direct flight time from London to Bangkok is 11 hours and 15 minutes. For such a long haul flight you’ll need your hand luggage to be well packed.
For a long haul journey, flight socks are essential to prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis), as well as calf exercises at least every half hour and walking around the cabin when possible. Also pack some travel size toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant so you can freshen up during the flight. Just remember that the containers with liquids cannot be bigger than a 100mls. It’s also wise to pack a change of clothes and swim wear in case your luggage goes missing.
Toiletries:
Having a decent waterproof washbag is invaluable. Our advice is to invest in a good water resistant sunscreen to avoid constantly reapplying after every swim. Also pack an insect repellent with the highest DEET percentage you can find. DEET (chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the active ingredient in mosquito repellent, so the higher the percentage the more effective it will be.
- – Hand sanitiser
- – Mosquito repellent with a high DEET percentage
- – Sunscreen with a high protection factor
- – After Sun lotions
- – Deodorant
- – Shower gel
- – Shampoo & conditioner
- – First aid kit
A well packed first aid kit should have:
- – Plasters
- – Antiseptic spray or wipes
- – Painkillers
- – Antihistamines for allergic reactions
- – Insect bite cream
- – Re-hydration sachets
- – Imodium for diarrhea.
If you’re a smoker you should know that the use of vapes and e-cigarettes has been illegal in Thailand since 2014.
What to wear in Thailand?
Thailand has a tropical climate so it’s hot and humid. So you’ll want to pack clothing that is loose, comfortable and breathable for whatever the season. Generally speaking, Thailand’s rainy season goes from May to October. So don’t forget to pack a rain jacket or poncho.
What you wear to the beach will be very different to the temples in Thailand. Keep your swim shorts and vest tops for the beach. Be respect when visiting temples also known as wats in Thailand by covering your shoulders, wearing long trousers or skirts and removing your sunglasses and sun hat when visiting these places of worship.
Clothing packing list:
- – Long sleeved tops
- – Long trousers or skirts
- – Rain jacket
- – Trainers
- – Sandals/ flip flops
- – Shorts
- – Sun glasses
- – Sun hat/ baseball cap
- – Swim wear
- – T-shirts
- – Underwear
For strolling around the towns or cities in Thailand be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes. As footpaths tend to be uneven, leave the high heels at home
What to pack for Thailand (female)
Our advice is to pack loose, comfortable clothing. Thailand is quite a modest country, so be sure to pack scarfs and sarongs – they are a handy way to cover up quickly and also a great for sun protection too.
Women’s packing list for Thailand
- – Baggy trousers
- – Flat shoes / scandals
- – Hiking pants or sports wear
- – Long skirts
- – Sarongs
- – Scarfs
- – Shorts
- – Summer dresses
- – Sun glasses
- – Sun hat
- – Swim suits
- – T-shirts
- – Underwear
What to pack for Thailand (male)
Our advice for looking suave in the heat is to pack loose, comfortable clothing and be sure to pack a good pair of hiking boots and sandals. A few long sleeved tops and pants are great for insect and sun protection.
Men’s packing list for Thailand:
- – Hiking pants
- – Linen trousers
- – Long sleeved tops
- – Sandals
- – Shorts
- – Socks
- – Sun hat
- – Sunglasses
- – T-shirts
- – Underwear
What to pack for a backpacking trip to Thailand?
When you’re back packing – you want to avoid packing too much. Keep in mind, there are plenty of inexpensive laundry service options in Thailand.
Backpacking essentials:
- – Comfortable walking shoes
- – Flip Flops for the shower and beach
- – Loose comfortable clothing
- – Microfibre towel
- – Money belt
- – Small combination lock
- – Sun glasses and sun hat
- – Swim wear
- – Toiletries including sunscreen and insect repellent
Try to pack loose, comfortable clothing and a money belt for keeping your passport and money safe. A small combination lock is handy for ensuring your backpack is secure, when you leave it in the hostel. For the shower be sure to bring flip flops and a quick drying microfibre towel.
Final note on packing for Thailand
Essentially pack loose comfortable clothing, a good sunscreen and insect repellent and don’t forget your passport, power adapter and Thai Baht.