Bellroy Transit Backpack
A 28L backpack that’s ideal for one-bag travel. With a supportive carry and an intelligent design, this is the best bag on the market.
Budget Option: Osprey Porter
Thailand Travel: How-To Pack Like a Pro
The ultimate packing list for traveling Thailand. We cover it all: men’s and women’s focused items from clothes to tech to toiletries and more.
Everyone travels differently. Some people love taking it easy, only moving from their lounge chair long enough to order a new Mai Tai. Some people feel the urge to venture off-the-beaten-track and experience local life, whether at a rural Buddhist temple or on a day hike.
Regardless of how you travel, this packing list covers everything you need to safely explore Thailand. We’ve done the research, we’ve done the traveling, and we’ve distilled all of our knowledge into a single list that has been highly refined over the past 7 years.
Table of Contents
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Thailand Packing List
Travel Bags + Organizers
In this section, we cover the bags used to carry every item on this packing list. We strived to create a versatile one-bag travel method, so that you’ll always have the right tool for the job.
Whether you’re rushing through an airport to catch a flight, grabbing dinner at one of Bangkok’s sky bars, or going on a day hike to a beautiful waterfall – we have the right carry combo for you.
Fjallraven Ulvo Hip Pack
A weatherproof sling that’s perfect for travel EDC and urban adventures in the tropics. Never worry about unexpected rain again.
Osprey UL Dry Stuff Pack
A waterproof packable daypack that’s ideal for long beach days, island hopping, hiking to waterfalls, and day-to-day exploration.
Bellroy Travel Wallet
Keep all of your travel documents and Thai baht in your pocket or sling with a dedicated storage space. Stay organized and safe.
Budget Option: Kanken Travel Wallet
Bellroy Card Pocket
An ultra-thin and compact wallet that’s great for carrying your travel credit cards, IDs, a hotel room key, and a several folded bills.
Budget Option: Kanken Card Wallet
Thailand Packing List
Essential Accessories
This is all the gear you need to safely navigate Thailand while also documenting your experiences for friends and family back home. In this section of the list, we’re going to highlight the essential tech gear and accessories that you’ll need to get through your trip.
LARQ Filtered Bottle
Filter questionable water sources into clean drinking water. In Thailand, potable water isn’t always readily available. Stay safe with this.
Apple iPad Air
Decompress after a long day of exploration. Instead of a laptop, bring along a tablet to watch your favorite show or movie.
Budget Option: Amazon Fire HD
Nitecore NB10000
The lightest quick-charging power bank on the market. Recharge your phone and other electronics while you are on-the-go.
EPICKA Travel Adapter
This adapter works in over 150 countries around the globe – it’s essential to be prepared for any outlet variations.
RovyVon Aurora A1
A super compact yet bright (650 lumens) keychain flashlight – a necessary tool since electricity can be unstable in Thailand.
Bellroy Classic Pouch
Organize all of your daily travel essentials in one easy-to-access place. Keep all of your cables and gadgets neatly organized.
Budget Option: Kanken Gear Pocket
GoPro Hero 11 Black
Safely capture all of your adventures via video and stills with this waterproof and shockproof camera. Never risk your smartphone again.
GoPro Shorty Mini
A pocket size extension pole for selfies and group shots, which also doubles as a tripod for your GoPro – perfect for travel photos.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 40
Capture nostalgic vacation photos like people used to prior to smartphones. Go home with tangible memories – photos that you can hold.
Digital Option: Ricoh GR III
Matador Pocket Blanket
A packable groundsheet that’ll fit in your back pocket. Always have a dry and clean place to sit when at the beach or in the mountains.
Sea to Summit Neck Pillow
A comfortable, inflatable neck pillow that packs down to the size of your palm. It’s an invaluable tool for long exhausting trips.
Snow Peak Titanium Spork
Packing a spork is a good idea for people who love night markets, street food, and sampling new dishes. Plus, this spork is TSA-approved.
Thailand Packing List
Clothing Top Picks (M)
When you only have room for a few key items, you need to make each item count. In this travel wardrobe, we’re focused on versatile clothing that can be used in a wide variety of environments – from urban to rainforests and everything in-between.
We’ve carefully selected items that will sustain you through any climate within Thailand, which is essential for travelers who find themselves on tropical islands, in the mountains, and in cities.
Oakley Holbrook
The best bang-for-your-buck sunglasses that are both stylish and durable. Be smart and protect your eyes from the harsh Thai sun.
Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie
A UPF50+ shirt that’s the most effective way to guard your skin from sunburn and harmful rays when spending long days outdoors.
Budget Option: Baleaf Sun Hoodie
Woolly V-Neck Shirts
A light and breathable merino wool shirt with anti-odor properties. For one-bag travel, this is the best-value v-neck on the market.
Budget Option: David Archy Shirts
Marmot Precip Jacket
When traveling to Thailand, a rain jacket is a necessity all year long. Given the climate, rainstorms are completely unpredictable.
Marmot Drop Line Fleece
A 100-weight fleece that’s thin and breathable – it’s perfect for the cold weather in Thailand’s mountains and aircon-heavy transportation.
Buff Merino Tubular
A multifunctional merino wool tubular with dozens of uses. It’s versatility ranges from being a beanie to being a scrunchy eye mask.
Sunday Afternoon Sun Tripper
A packable hat that won’t take up much space when it’s not in use. Don’t underestimate the dire need for a sun hat when in the tropics.
Oliver's Passage Pant
All-terrain pants with a sleek design that can easily transition from a high-end restaurant in Bangkok to a dirt hiking trail in Chiang Mai.
Budget Option: Baleaf Pant
Oliver's All Over Short
4-way stretch shorts that dry quickly, look great, and perform well in any environment – from swimming to exploring city streets.
Budget Option: Baleaf Short
Woolly Underwear
Merino wool underwear that won’t smell like a musky gym locker after a sweaty day of use. Expensive but 100% worth the premium.
Budget Option: David Archy Underwear
Arcade Ranger Belt
A stretchy, TSA-friendly belt that’s incredibly comfortable – it moves with you, rather than constricting your full range-of-motion.
Osprey Packing Cube
An inexpensive packing cube that gets the job done. Trust us, don’t waste your money on overpriced compression cubes. This works.
Xero Shoes Z-Trail
The most comfortable sandals ever made – hands-down. Seriously, these sandals feel amazing and have a better grip than Chacos.
Xero Shoes Prio
Stylish and practical, these minimalist shoes are the best for crossover performance. Plus they are also incredibly comfortable to wear.
Darn Tough Socks
Quick-drying and anti-odor merino wool socks that will outlast you. These socks are world renowned for their superior durability.
Pack All Shoe Pouch
An inexpensive organizer that’ll keep your dirty shoes separate from the rest of your gear – best way to keep everything clean.
Thailand Packing List
Clothing Top Picks (W)
When you only have room for a few key items, you need to make each item count. In this travel wardrobe, we’re focused on versatile clothing that can be used in a wide variety of environments – from urban to rainforests and everything in-between.
We’ve carefully selected items that will sustain you through any climate within Thailand, which is essential for travelers who find themselves on tropical islands, in the mountains, and in cities.
Oakley Frogskins
The best bang-for-your-buck sunglasses that are both stylish and durable. Be smart and protect your eyes from the harsh Thai sun.
Baleaf LS Sun Shirt
A UPF50+ shirt that’s the most effective way to guard your skin from sunburn and harmful rays when spending long days outdoors.
Woolly V-Neck Shirts
A light and breathable merino wool shirt with anti-odor properties. For one-bag travel, this is the best-value v-neck on the market.
Budget Option: Baleaf Shirt
Marmot Precip Jacket
When traveling to Thailand, a rain jacket is a necessity all year long. Given the climate, rainstorms are completely unpredictable.
Marmot Rocklin Fleece
A 100-weight fleece that’s thin and breathable – it’s perfect for the cold weather in Thailand’s mountains and aircon-heavy transportation.
Zero Grid Infinity Scarf
A cozy scarf with two hidden pockets that has dozens of use cases. There’s a bit of a learning curve at first, but it’s incredibly versatile.
Columbia Bora Bora Sun Hat
A packable sun hat that won’t take up much space when it’s not in use. Stylishly protect your face and neck from painful sunburn.
prAna Briann Pant
All-terrain pants with a sleek design that can easily transition from a high-end restaurant in Bangkok to a dirt hiking trail in Chiang Mai.
Budget Option: Baleaf Pant
prAna Olivia Short
4-way stretch shorts that dry quickly and look great and perform well in any environment – from the beach to exploring city streets.
Budget Option: Baleaf Short
prAna Skypath Dress
A quick-drying dress that packs down small and is comfortable to wear. lt’s ideal for a nice dinner or as a bathing suit cover-up
Budget Option: Baleaf Dress
Zaful Bikini Set
A destination with jaw-dropping beaches deserves a swimsuit that’s equally as stunning, while also being affordable.
Woolly Underwear
Merino wool underwear that won’t smell after a sweaty day of use. Expensive but 100% worth the premium while traveling.
Bra Option: Bali Wireless Bra
Arcade Ranger Belt
A stretchy, TSA-friendly belt that’s incredibly comfortable – it moves with you, rather than constricting your full range-of-motion.
Osprey Packing Cube
An inexpensive packing cube that gets the job done. Trust us, don’t waste your money on overpriced compression cubes. This works.
Xero Shoes Z-Trail
The most comfortable sandals ever made – hands-down. Seriously, these sandals feel amazing and have a better grip than Chacos.
Xero Shoes Prio
Stylish and practical, these minimalist shoes are the best for crossover performance. Plus they are also incredibly comfortable to wear.
Darn Tough No Show Socks
Quick-drying and anti-odor merino wool socks that will outlast you. These socks are world renowned for their superior durability.
Pack All Shoe Pouch
An inexpensive organizer that’ll keep your dirty shoes separate from the rest of your gear – best way to keep everything clean.
Thailand Packing List
Essential Toiletries
Before you start adding everything and the kitchen sink to your Thailand toiletries list, do these two things first: 1) check what personal care items your hotels provide and 2) know that you can buy stuff like sunscreen, toothpaste, lip balm, disposable razors and the like, at your destination.
So, limit what you bring with you on the plane. Buy what you need, when you arrive in Thailand.
Bellroy Dopp Kit
Keep things simple by storing all of your personal care items in one place. As for this dopp kit, it is truly the perfect size.
Budget Option: Osprey UL Organizer
Sea to Summit 3-1-1 Pouch
Efficiently move through airport security by keeping a seperate TSA-approved clear pouch for carrying liquids. Bottles included.
Coleman Mini First Aid Kit
It’s always best to be prepared with first aid while traveling. To make this kit perfectly TSA-friendly, just take out the small razor inside.
Matador Soap Bar Case
The best ultralight and leakproof way to travel with soap. Unlike ziploc bags, the material of this case lets soap dry while its stored inside.
Sea to Summit Airlite Towel
While most hotels and Airbnbs provide towels, it’s a good idea to have your own for any spontaneous day trips around water.
Philips One by Sonicare
A rechargeable toothbrush that was designed specifically for travel and is equipped with a battery than can last up to 30 days of use.
Victorinox Nail Clipper
A compact nail clipper that’s made entirely of stainless steel and TSA-approved. Keep the dirt out of your finger and toe nails with this.
Tweezerman Slant Tweezers
Professional quality tweezers with 25 degree slanted tips – the perfect angle for working against the brow bone or for first aid.
Stall Mates Flushable Wipes
Not every bathroom in Thailand is equipped with toilet paper or a bidet. You’ll need these wipes much more than you think.
So, there you have it! A Thailand packing list designed to help you explore the country safely and most importantly, comfortably. If you’re still curious about Thai travel, check out our FAQ below:
Why One-Bag Travel for Thailand?
Once you devote yourself to the idea of carrying around less stuff, you’re able to curate and refine your packing list to only bring what’s needed – nothing less, nothing more.
This allows you to minimize redundancies and exclude superfluous items, thereby significantly reducing your overall pack weight.
The less your pack weighs, the more you’re able to easily navigate Thailand and explore them spontaneously.
What Can You Not Bring to Thailand?
For detailed breakdown, check THIS LIST of prohibited and restricted items.
Can You Wear Jeans in Thailand?
Yes, but we highly recommend that you do not wear jeans.
Thailand is a tropical environment with excessively hot and humid weather. Since the denim fabric that jeans use isn’t breathable – it traps hot air and moisture, making you hotter and wetter in the process.
Instead of denim-based jeans, opt for breathable high-quality synthetic pants like the ones on this list. They’ll keep you cooler and dry-quickly.
Can You Wear Leggings in Thailand?
Yes, although they should only be worn for aerobic exercise (cardio).
All over the country, you’ll see locals running and cycling in skin-tight clothes. However, outside of workout use, skin tight clothes are hardly worn by the general population.
Are Shorts OK in Thailand?
In general, yes – many locals wear shorts nowadays.
However, DO NOT wear shorts to a Buddhist temple or religious site. It’s better to be respectful and wear long pants.
Can You Drink Tap Water in Thailand?
No, the tap water in Thailand is not potable.
You can either buy inexpensive clean water at a local 7/11 or invest in a portable water filter.
What About Portable Gym Equipment?
For detailed insights on what gym equipment to bring for hotel room workouts, see our in-depth guide HERE.
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