Packing list

Thailand Packing List

Bangkok runs from 22 °C (72 °F) nights in January to 35 °C (95 °F) days in May, and September is the wettest month, with about 22 days of rain. For your own dates, trip length and group, use the packing list generator.

What should you pack for Thailand?

Counts are per person for a 7-day trip. Weather gear depends on the month, so it is in the table below the list; the download adds it, marked with the months that need it.

Documents & Money

  • Check in online and save your boarding passes offline

  • Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline

  • Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet

  • Get THB cash / a no-forex-fee card

  • Check visa requirements for Thailand

  • See a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before for vaccines

  • Before you go: lock up, unplug appliances, arrange pet and plant care, hold the mail, leave a spare key with someone

  • Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)

  • Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees

  • Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home

  • Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)

  • Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)

  • Wallet with ID, driver's licence, health insurance card and payment cards

  • House and car keys, in your carry-on

  • Transit card: Rabbit Card (also MRT card) · Bangkok

  • Pen for arrival forms

  • Money belt or hidden pouch for passport and spare cash

Clothing

  • Underwear ×8

    Per person

  • Socks ×8

    Per person

  • Everyday outfits (tops and bottoms) ×5

    Per person

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered)

    Temples in Thailand turn away bare shoulders and knees.

  • Sleepwear

  • Light layer (sweater or hoodie)

  • One smart outfit and shoes for a dinner out

  • Change of clothes in your carry-on

  • Flip-flops or shower sandals

  • Swimsuit

  • Compression socks

  • Slip-on shoes

    Shoes come off at temples, mosques or homes in Thailand.

  • Belt

  • Workout clothes and shoes (if you exercise on the road)

  • Light scarf, shawl or travel blanket for cold planes and buses

Tech & Accessories

  • Set up an eSIM or roaming plan for data

  • Install local apps: Grab, Bolt

  • Save your two-factor backup codes in case you lose your phone

  • Download an offline map & language pack for Thailand

  • Phone charger, with USB-C and USB-A cables

  • Power bank, in your carry-on (never in a checked bag)

  • Headphones or earbuds (noise-canceling for flights)

  • Laptop or tablet and charger (if you bring one)

  • Travel adapter

    Thailand uses Type A/B/C/O sockets.

  • Thai phrasebook

  • Wired earbuds or a Bluetooth transmitter for the seatback screen

  • Multi-port USB charger or short extension cord

  • Camera with a spare battery and memory card

  • Luggage tracker (AirTag or similar) in checked bags

Health & Safety

  • Ask a travel clinic whether you need malaria pills

    CDC lists malaria in Thailand: Primarily the provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (rare cases in Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia (especially in the rural forest and forest-fringe areas of these provinces) Rare to few cases in other parts of Thailand, including the cities of Bangkok (the capital), Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, or on the islands of Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui, or Phuket No malaria transmission on the islands of Krabi Province (Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai) or in Pattaya City

  • List your medications by generic name, with a doctor's note

  • Drink bottled or filtered water

    Tap water isn't safe to drink in Thailand; skip ice and brush with bottled.

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss

  • Toiletry bag: deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, razor

  • Clear quart bag for carry-on liquids (100 ml / 3.4 oz each)

  • Prescription medication and daily vitamins (with a copy of the prescription)

  • Glasses or contacts, solution, eye drops and a spare pair (if you wear them)

  • Hairbrush or comb, and hair products

  • Face wash and moisturizer

  • Makeup and makeup remover (if you wear it)

  • Basic meds: pain relief, antidiarrheal, antacid, antihistamine, cold medicine

  • Small first-aid kit

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Travel wet wipes

  • Earplugs

  • Sleep eye mask

  • Lip balm with SPF

  • Nail clippers, nail file and tweezers

  • Period products (if you need them)

  • Blister plasters and anti-chafe balm

  • Pocket tissues or a small roll of toilet paper

  • Electrolyte powder packets

  • Perfume or cologne (if you wear it)

  • Motion-sickness tablets or bands

  • Face mask for the plane

Gear & Activity

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Daypack

  • Zip bags in a few sizes

  • Packable tote or shopping bag

  • Laundry bag for dirty clothes

  • Luggage tags with your phone and email

  • Luggage lock

  • Anti-theft crossbody bag

  • Mini sewing kit and safety pins

  • Small flashlight or headlamp

Extras

  • Travel neck pillow

  • Snacks and gum for the journey

  • Book or e-reader

  • Notebook or travel journal

Download or print this list

Weather gear by month

A tick means at least one city on this route meets that weather in that month: 8 or more rainy days (snow in a month below freezing on average is not rain), nights at 8 °C (46 °F) or colder, or days at 24 °C (75 °F) or warmer; sun protection also marks every month in a city 2,500 m up or higher. Bug protection marks a month that is both hot and rainy, or every month where malaria or dengue is a risk.

Weather gear needed in Thailand, by month
MonthRain gearWarm layersSun protectionBug protection
Jan··✓✓
Feb··✓✓
Mar✓·✓✓
Apr✓·✓✓
May✓·✓✓
Jun✓·✓✓
Jul✓·✓✓
Aug✓·✓✓
Sep✓·✓✓
Oct✓·✓✓
Nov✓·✓✓
Dec✓·✓✓

Rain gear

  • Packable rain jacket or travel umbrella

Warm layers

  • Warm insulated jacket
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Thermal base layer

Sun protection

  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
  • Sunglasses
  • Wide-brimmed sun hat
  • After-sun or aloe gel
  • Handheld fan or cooling towel

Bug protection

  • Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
  • Bite relief cream

What should you wear in Thailand?

By the average daytime high in Bangkok.

all year: highs 90–95°F (32–35°C)

Light, breathable fabrics: linen or cotton tops, shorts or light skirts, sandals.

Thailand weather by month

Average daily high and low, and days with rain or snow per month (a snowflake marks snow). Source: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0.

Bangkok

Average weather in Bangkok by month
MonthHighLowRainy days
Jan90°F / 32°C (hot)72°F / 22°C3
Feb91°F / 33°C (hot)74°F / 23°C2
Mar93°F / 34°C (hot)78°F / 26°C5
Apr94°F / 34°C (hot)78°F / 26°C8
May95°F / 35°C (hot)80°F / 26°C14
Jun94°F / 34°C (hot)79°F / 26°C18
Jul92°F / 33°C (hot)78°F / 26°C20
Aug92°F / 33°C (hot)78°F / 26°C20
Sep91°F / 33°C (hot)77°F / 25°C22
Oct91°F / 33°C (hot)77°F / 25°C18
Nov92°F / 33°C (hot)76°F / 25°C8
Dec90°F / 32°C (hot)72°F / 22°C2
Chiang Mai
Average weather in Chiang Mai by month
MonthHighLowRainy days
Jan85°F / 30°C (hot)58°F / 15°C2
Feb91°F / 33°C (hot)60°F / 16°C0
Mar96°F / 36°C (hot)67°F / 19°C1
Apr97°F / 36°C (hot)72°F / 22°C4
May96°F / 36°C (hot)75°F / 24°C8
Jun92°F / 34°C (hot)76°F / 24°C14
Jul89°F / 32°C (hot)75°F / 24°C21
Aug89°F / 32°C (hot)75°F / 24°C23
Sep90°F / 32°C (hot)74°F / 24°C20
Oct89°F / 32°C (hot)72°F / 22°C13
Nov89°F / 32°C (hot)68°F / 20°C4
Dec85°F / 30°C (hot)61°F / 16°C1
Phuket
Average weather in Phuket by month
MonthHighLowRainy days
Jan92°F / 33°C (hot)74°F / 23°C7
Feb94°F / 34°C (hot)74°F / 23°C6
Mar94°F / 35°C (hot)76°F / 24°C8
Apr94°F / 34°C (hot)76°F / 25°C20
May92°F / 33°C (hot)77°F / 25°C26
Jun90°F / 32°C (hot)77°F / 25°C24
Jul90°F / 32°C (hot)77°F / 25°C23
Aug89°F / 32°C (hot)77°F / 25°C23
Sep89°F / 32°C (hot)76°F / 24°C23
Oct89°F / 32°C (hot)75°F / 24°C27
Nov89°F / 32°C (hot)75°F / 24°C23
Dec90°F / 32°C (hot)74°F / 24°C12

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes in Mar–Dec: in those months at least one of the cities here averages 8 or more days with rain. Outside them a compact umbrella is enough.

No. Nights stay above 8 °C (46 °F) all year in the cities here; a sweater or light jacket covers the coolest evenings.

Yes, all year: dengue risk in Thailand (CDC), so pack a DEET or picaridin repellent and bite cream.

Thailand uses type A/B/C/O plugs at 220 V. Check your chargers say 100-240 V before plugging in.

Grab, Bolt.

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More packing lists

Weather: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Updated October 15, 2026.