The Ultimate Female Packing List for Thailand

You’re headed to Thailand! Yay! Thailand is blessed with incredible beaches, exotic jungles, ancient temples, stunning landmarks, and bustling cities! Now that you’ve booked your flights, semi-planned your itinerary, and decided where to stay, comes the tedious task of figuring out what to pack for Thailand. Luckily, packing for Thailand is not that hard, especially if you know where to start. And that’s exactly where this packing list for Thailand comes in!

This super handy Thailand packing list will show you exactly what you need (and don’t need) to bring along for an amazing trip to the Land of Smiles! Whether you’re planning a tropical escape, roaming the cities, or backpacking through Thailand, this ultimate female Thailand packing guide includes all the travel essentials you’ll need for a seamless trip!

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When to Visit Thailand: Understanding Thailand’s Climate 

Before you start to plan a trip to Thailand, it’s important to understand the weather. Thailand has a tropical climate, which means it’s hot and humid most of the time (like in really, really hot)! Throw in a couple of months of monsoon rains, and you might be questioning your choice to add this tropical gem to your Asia islands bucket list! But before you get too stressed up, Thailand’s heat is entirely tolerable if you know when to visit. 

Generally, the best time to visit Thailand is during the winter months, from November to February. During these months, the days are mostly sunny and ideal for spending time at the beach or exploring Thailand’s many dreamy islands and National Parks. Temperatures are mild, with average highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. This is also Thailand’s busiest season. So if you are visiting during the dry season, book accommodation and activities well in advance. 

March to June is Thailand’s shoulder season, and during these months, it can get scorching hot. If you must visit during this season, try to plan your trip before mid-April. That way, temperatures will still be relatively bearable and the humidity hasn’t completely skyrocketed. 

Thailand’s monsoon season runs from July to October, and you can expect heavy rains with a chance of flooding. Although it’s definitely the cheapest time to visit Thailand, expect heavy downpours. While showers generally only last for short periods, it would be a shame to come to paradise and not make it out of your hotel room! 

With that said, Thailand is a huge country, and the weather can vary greatly depending on where you go. This guide on when to visit Thailand will be particularly helpful. 

What to Wear in Thailand

When it comes to what to wear in Thailand, it’s important to keep two things in mind; the weather and the culture. 

Thailand is hot! Make sure to pack light, breathable clothing. Stick to materials like linen and cotton or light rayon. You really don’t need to pack your fav pair of Levi’s and avoid thick materials like polyester altogether. Instead, pack shorts, rompers, skirts, summer dresses, and t’s. 

Be respectful. Thailand is absolutely littered with beautiful temples, and you’ve probably already got a few of them on your Thailand bucket list! However, one of the most important travel tips for Thailand is to be respectful of the culture. Dress modestly and cover your shoulders and knees when touring the religious sights to avoid offending the locals. Make sure to pack at least one or two longer skirts (a maxi skirt will do the trick), a pair of light, airy pants, and a shawl or sarong that you can wrap around your waist or drape around your shoulders when temple hopping. 

Another big no-no in Thailand (whether you’re visiting a temple or not) is wearing skimpy clothing. Showing too much cleavage, wearing super short shorts, and walking around in your bikini when you’re not actually at the beach or poolside are all huge don’ts.

What to Pack for Thailand: 40+ Essentials for your Thailand Packing List

Great, now that we’ve got the weather out of the way, let’s talk about what essentials you need to pack for a seamless Thailand trip. While you certainly don’t need to go overboard and bring along everything on this list, it should give you a good idea of the most important items to include in your Thailand packing list. Ready? Let’s go! 

Travel Insurance

Whether you are backpacking Thailand for a few months or planning a shorter stay, it’s always better to cover all your bases.

World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Disclaimer: World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Thailand Guidebooks and Phrasebooks

If you want to learn more about Thailand, it’s a good idea to do some research before your trip. And a good guidebook is one of the easiest ways to gain valuable insights into Thailand’s fascinating culture, history, and best gems. This Lonely Planet Thailand guide covers all the basics and is jam-packed with handy info.

For those headed to the beautiful shores of Krabi, this islands and beaches guide will come in handy. If you’re only sticking to Bangkok, grab this pocket guide. 

If you really want to make the most of your visit, add a phrasebook to your Thailand packing list. 

What Luggage & Bags to Bring to Thailand

• Suitcase/ Backback: Deciding whether to bring a backpack or a spinner suitcase will probably be one of the hardest things to figure out on your Thailand packing list. But in essence, it’s important to think about your itinerary and your length of stay. If you’re only going to be visiting Thailand for a week and plan on using private transfers to get from A to B, then you can definitely get away with a spinner suitcase. This DELSEY spinner suitcase is beyond gorgeous! However, if you’re going to island-hop in Krabi or visit off-beat places, a Tortuga Women’s 45L Travel Backpack is your best bet. Staying more than ten days? Then you’ll need the extra space that comes with this Osprey Fairview 70 Women’s Travel Backpack. 

• Carry-on Luggage: If you want to minimize your packing and only travel with a carry-on, this 21-inch American Tourister carry-on suitcase might be the answer. 

• Day bag: A small day bag for your phone, wallet, lipgloss is a huge must on your Thailand packing list. While a small crossbody bag like this cute Rattan bag will come in handy on most days, you’ll also need something bigger and safer if you’re going to be out exploring. This Pacsafe women’s backpack is a great choice whether you’re hiking, island-hopping, or exploring the streets. The best part? It’s anti-theft, so you won’t need to worry about pickpockets! 

• Beach or Pool Bag: You can’t visit Thailand and not spend some time at the beach or hang out at your hotel’s dreamy infinity pool! Pack a nice beach bag so that you can carry your shades, sunscreen, and fav novel with you.  

• Dry bag: Thailand offers so many adventure activities for thrill-seekers that it’s hard to keep track of them all. If you’re planning on spending your days getting lost in jungles, chasing waterfalls, boating, kayaking, or snorkeling, packing a dry bag is a must! 

• Packing cubes: Never able to find anything in your suitcase or constantly overpack? Welcome to the club! Luckily, for those of us that are incapable of minimalist packing, there are packing cubes! These DIMJ packing cubes are just the thing to help you keep your clothes sorted and never overpack again! 

Electronics & Gadgets

• Portable charger: A portable power bank is a huge must on your packing list for Thailand. That way, you never have to worry about your phone or devices running out of battery. 

• E-reader: Thailand is truly an amazing destination to slow down and get some well-needed R&R. If you enjoy reading, download all your favorite books on a Kindle. 

• Universal travel plug: The standard voltage in Thailand is 220V with a frequency of 50HZ. Make sure you pack a Thailand travel adapter so that you can keep your phone, camera, and iPad charged. 

• AirPods: Almost every Thailand packing list out there recommends headphones. Why? They’re super bulky, and with Thailand’s humidity, you’ll probably be sweating like crazy in no time! Pack a pair of Apple AirPods instead – they’re noise-canceling, lightweight, and offer excellent sound quality! 

• Camera: I always carry my Olympus mirrorless camera and absolutely love it! The quality of the photos is great, and it’s not nearly as heavy as a DSLR. Remember to pack a SD card! Oh, and if you’re looking for great photo spots, definitely also read my guide on the best Instagram spots in Bangkok!

• Tripod: If you’re traveling Thailand solo, you’ll probably also need a tripod with a wireless remote so that you never have to worry about capturing your fav bits! 

• Adventure camera/ drone: If you want to capture all your favorite adventures in Thailand, you could also consider a Go Pro or a DJI mini drone.   

Clothing, Shoes & Accessories for Thailand

I’m not going to tell you how many sundresses, t’s, or pairs of shorts to pack for Thailand, as I’m sure you can figure that out on your own. But since it’s quite easy to get laundry done in Thailand, you really don’t need to go overboard and pack heaps of clothes. Instead, pack lightweight clothes that can easily be mixed and matched so that you can change things up each day.  

Here are a few key essentials to include on your packing list for Thailand: 

• Swimsuit: Whether you’re going island hopping in Krabi, visiting Thailand’s gorgeous beaches, or staying somewhere with a dreamy pool, you’re going to need a swimsuit. Don’t forget your fav swimsuit or bikini! A kimono is another key beach accessory. 

• Sun hat: A sun hat is a must for protecting your face from Thailand’s harsh sun rays. If you’re going to be spending time at the beach, a beautiful broad rim straw hat is key, while this women’s cap is perfect for hiking.

• Sunglasses: Don’t forget your fav shades, because you’re going to wear them every day! 

• Light UV jacket: For those of you planning to spend some time exploring Thailand’s amazing National Parks and numerous hiking trails, it’s probably best to pack a light UV-protective jacket to avoid getting sunburnt. 

• Raincoat: Whether you’re visiting Thailand during the rainy season or not, sudden downpours aren’t uncommon. Pack a durable, eco-friendly L-Raincoat that you can use for all your future trips and avoid adding more plastic waste. 

• Footwear: Thailand is such a fascinating country with tons of amazing things to do! Pack comfortable walking shoes because you’re going to be walking around a lot! Also, bring flip-flops and some nice sandals for a night out on the town.

• Hiking shoes: Unless you’re a serious hiker or planning to partake in some adventure activities in Railay Bay, you don’t necessarily need to pack hiking shoes for Thailand. But if that is your thing, these Merrell Women’s hiking shoes are super comfy, durable, and, more importantly, breathable! 

Other Useful Things to Pack for Thailand

• Refillable water bottle: Plastic waste is crazy in Thailand, and it’s not safe to drink tap water here. Pack a water bottle that you can refill at your hotel’s water dispenser and help protect the environment. I love my Hydy stainless steel water bottle and always travel with it, but a collapsible bottle is a good choice if you’re trying to save space. 

• Insect repellent: Mosquitoes can be a real pain in Thailand, so don’t forget a good organic mosquito spray! You’ll thank me later! 

• Sunscreen: Sunscreen is quite expensive in Thailand, as what’s more, most moisturizers, lotions, and sunscreens contain yucky skin-whitening ingredients. This Sun Bum SPF 50 sunscreen spray is one of my favorite go-to brands. It’s packed with Vitamin E, oil-free, water-resistant, and reef friendly! If you’re looking for a higher broad-spectrum organic SPF that’s mineral-based and absorbs super fast, try this Coola SPF 70. 

• After-sun or aloe vera: If you’re visiting Thailand during the warmer months, get ready to be sunburnt. I always travel with this TONYMOLY Aloe Chok Soothing Gel. It’s super hydrating and relieves skin quickly! 

• First-Aid kit: It’s always a good idea to have a small first-aid kit handy no matter where you go. You don’t need to go overboard because you can easily get almost anything at the local pharmacy. But make sure to pack things like Imodium, motion sickness tablets like Dramamine, bandaids, paracetamol, antiseptic cream, antihistamines, and electrolytes. 

• Travel towel: Pack a quick-drying towel, like this Dock & Bay towel that you can take to the beach. 

• Jewelry organizer: Since you’re probably going to spend most of your time near the beach, there’s not much need to pack overly flashy jewelry. Thailand is a very laidback place, and you can easily get by with just a few essential pieces. Keep them safe in this tiny travel jewelry box.

• Travel wallet: Don’t forget a travel wallet to keep all your travel documents organized. 

Toiletries

When trying to figure out what toiletries to include in your Thailand packing list, don’t stress too much because you’ll basically need the same things you pack for every other trip. However, it can be hard to find your favorite brands, and some things will cost a lot more than at home. Here are a few key items to bring along for a seamless trip. 

• Toiletry/cosmetics bag: The chances are high that you’ll want to keep all your toiletries in one easy-to-find place. This toiletry bag won’t take up too much space. Plus, it’s way better than just tossing your things in a packing cube! 

• Deodorant: Most deodorant brands in Asia contain whitening ingredients, so unless you want whiter underarm skin, bring your favorite make along. 

• Hand sanitizer: Whether you’re hitting the beach, snacking on your way through a night market, or out exploring, you’re going to need hand sanitizer in Thailand! 

• Hairstyling products: It’s hot and humid in Thailand, and chances are your hair is not used to this type of climate. Pack your fav hair styling products, especially if you have frizzy hair because you might not find it here. 

• Oral care products: You won’t have too much trouble finding all the big brand names in Thailand, but it’s best to bring your own products if you have a special brand. Also, make sure your toothbrush has a cover so that it never has to touch other things! 

• Soap/ Bodywash/ Shampoo/ Conditioner: If you’re staying at a nice hotel, you probably won’t need to worry about packing these essentials. Most mid-range and lux hotels will take care of this for you. However, for those with frizzy hair, the humidity in Thailand will be a problem. Pack your fave hair care products, or grab this zero-waste vegan frizzy hair shampoo bar that will keep your hair in check!  

• Travel razor: If you don’t like the cheap razors hotels offer, bring this Gilette mini razor – it’s super compact. 

• Feminine hygiene: There’s not much choice for tampons in Thailand, so best to come prepared. If you’re a conscientious traveler, diva cups are way better for the environment. 

• Makeup: You haven’t experienced heat and humidity until you’ve visited Thailand! Pack makeup, but keep it simple because there is no way it will stay flawless in this weather! A light foundation, blush, neutral eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and a nice lip gloss will be more than enough. 

Packing List for Thailand in Conclusion

Well, there you have it – a whole list of essentials to pack for Thailand! I hope it makes deciding what to pack for your Thailand vacay a little bit easier! If you think I’ve missed any must-pack items on this Thailand packing list, let me know in the comments below!

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