When packing for Thailand, keep in mind the country’s hot and humid weather. Lightweight and breathable clothing is a must. The best fabrics are natural ones, such as cotton, linen, or rayon, which allow air to circulate and help you stay cool.
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Propper Temple Attire
Thailand is home to some of the most beautiful temples in the world, and visiting them is a must-do when traveling in the country. It’s important to remember that these temples are places of worship and should be treated with respect.
Make sure to dress appropriately by covering your legs and shoulders (no shorts or tank tops.) Because of the hot temperatures in Thailand, this is something that tourists often under-dress for. You can sometimes rent or borrow coverings at the temple. It’s however much easier to bring a wrap skirt with you at all times to make sure you are prepared. Skirts should not have large slits and should cover your full legs. Bonus that you can also use the wrap as a swimsuit wrap when on the beach, making it a versatile multi-purpose item to pack.
Also equally important, be sure to cover your shoulders. It’s a good idea to carry a light pack-able shirt like the Diosun Womens Button Down. Choose something lightweight, with sleeves and if possible wrinkle resistant so it’s easy to carry in your backpack in case you do come across a temple you’d like to enter. Looking for a great travel backpack? Checkout out my luggage blog post findingthailand.com/luggage/
Shoes
In Thailand, it is customary to remove shoes when entering homes, temples, and certain establishments. Shoes are considered dirty and stepping into someone’s home or a place of worship with shoes on is disrespectful.
My favorite travel shoes that are easy to slip on and off easy are the OLUKAI Pehuea Li 2-IN-1 SHOE & SLIDE
These two-in-one shoe are very comfortable for walking, but the heels fold down to convert them into an easy slip on. This comes in handy for frequent shoe removal in Thailand.
It’s also a good idea to pack comfortable sandals. Choose a sandal style with that would be appropriate for the beach while also offering support for comfortable walking. Clarks Women’s Breeze Sea Flip-Flop are a great choice for their versatility and comfort.
If you want to pack a dressier shoe for your trip, keep in mind that the pavement is very uneven in Thailand, even in very developed parts of Bangkok. While walking, we often joked about the sudden appearance of a seemingly “random” little step. It’s a good idea to choose a wedge or chunky heal instead of a pointy heel. Wedges are versatile, and the wider base of a wedge shoe ensures stability, comfort, support and better balance on uneven pavement and even sandy beaches. If you pack just one, choose either black like this Italian Shoemakers Avery or a skin color tone that will match with most outfits.
Rain gear
Thailand’s monsoon season from May to October brings erratic weather and rain showers. Prepare for your trip by packing a waterproof jacket to stay dry and explore without worry. Choose something lightweight for easy packing. Also, it will still be hot in Thailand even when it’s raining so you don’t want anything heavy. The Avoogue Raincoat is lightweight, has a hood and also comes with its own bag for easy packing.
Beach Items
Thailand’s stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters make it a paradise for beach goers and water enthusiasts. Bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, swim shorts, and trunks are all common and widely accepted. When you leave the beach or pool however, plan to cover up with a sarong or shirt.
Also pack a thin quick dry beach towel such as the Dock and Bay Beach Towel. These dry quickly, don’t pick up sand, and are compact making them easy to pack. This is particularly important if you don’t have access to a dryer. These towels dry very quickly so you’ll always be ready for your next beach day.
A beach hat is a great idea to protect yourself from the sun. It helps to shade your face, neck, and shoulders, reducing direct exposure to harmful UV rays. Wearing a beach hat can also prevent sunburn, reduce the risk of skin damage, and lower the chances of heatstroke or sunstroke. Nobody likes putting sunscreen in their hair, so this is an area that is sure to burn! Hats are available on every corner of every beach town in Thailand. Unless you already have a favorite, plan to buy one in Thailand rather than try to pack one without damaging the shape.
Keep it Light!
There is no need to pack too much! Laundry services are inexpensive and available on just about every block. In a matter of a day, you will receive your laundry back in neatly folded bundles, at a cost of around 30-40 Baht per kilo (about $.50 per lb.) This is a service that we don’t usually experience at home, so enjoy this unique luxury and pack just enough for a comfortable rotation of clothes.
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