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Planning a trip to Thailand and not sure what to pack? Do you think you will need a lot of clothes? Well, not really. You do need a few essential items to cover all the needs you might have during your trip. Check out my ultimate Thailand packing guide for women to learn the best packing tips.

 

Thailand is a hot country, and it is your big advantage as you only need to pack light clothes that save so much space in your backpack or carry-on. Which makes your trip less stressful and much lighter :).Here’s your ultimate Thailand packing guide if you’re visiting Thailand and what you need and don’t need!

Check out my top 16 tips on what to pack for Thailand for women

What to Pack for Thailand for Women

1. A medicine for a sensitive stomach (e.g. activated charcoal). This is a must-have item on your packing checklist for Thailand. I don’t know how about your stomach, but mine is so sensitive 🙁 and I always have a problem with it. That’s why I am very picky with food, but activated charcoal is always in my purse in case of a stomach emergency.

 

2. A power bank.  Since I bought it, I have never traveled without it. It is a lifesaver as my phone always runs out of battery very quickly, and the adapter is what I need in such a case. It allows you to charge the phone fully a few times, sometimes even more. So add this to your travel essentials list.

 

3. An empty bottle for water. Did you realize how much money you spend in your life buying a bottle of water all the time? I think a lot. I was guilty of that, too. Nowadays, it is so easy to fix this problem. You just need to bring an empty mug or light thermos with you, and you can refill it with water in many public places.

 

4. A sunscreen. I bet you have heard a thousand times that our skin gets old with age, especially in the sun?! Well, that’s true. If I had known it before, I could avoid some of the skin problems, I have now, but better late than never. Never forget the magic sunscreen cream/lotion/spray to take with you whenever you travel (especially to hot countries, such as such as those in Asia). 

 

5. Light clothes. The good thing about traveling to Thailand is that you do not have to bring warm, heavy clothes with you as it is a country with hot weather all year round. Thailand is a tropical country, ideal for a minimalist packing style. You pack a pair of jeans and a light jacket in case of cold nights, but I suggest no more because you will not wear long-sleeved clothes or pants.

 

I was in Asia for 2 weeks in February and never wore anything except light t-shirts, shorts, and dresses. Pack lightweight clothes and leave space for other essentials for your Thailand trip.

 

6. Comfortable shoes/sneakers. These are must-have items on your Thailand packing list, as you will have to walk a lot, and you will want to make sure your feet do not hurt. I didn’t think about it before for some reason and some days were ruined because I couldn’t walk in my flat sandals. It was very painful. So, remember to pack at least one pair of very comfortable shoes.

 

7. A hat and sunglasses. These are must-have attributes to take on your trip if you do not want sunstroke and extra wrinkles. Or if you are lucky and have none, get wrinkles in general. Ensure your sunglasses have good UV protection, and your hat covers your face. Note that you can buy such items locally if you don’t have them with you but you will need them.

 

8. A swimsuit. Always carry it with you in case you need to go swimming or just chill by the pool. If you visit regions like Chiang Mai or Phuket, the temptation to spend a day at the beach will be irresistible.

 

9. Take Tide pods to do your laundry.  They are light and small, and you can fit them anywhere (a few will be more than enough). You can find places to get your laundry done in Thailand but you never know when you have an emergency.

 

10. A travel pillow. As for most of us, a flight to Thailand is going to be super long (more than 15 hours), so I advise you also to pack a travel pillow to make your flight as comfortable as possible.

 

I started doing it just recently and can say with confidence that my travel has improved significantly because of that. Now I feel more comfortable, as the travel pillow allows me to sleep on the plane or just relax my head at least.

 

11. A power adapter. This is an important device, especially for Thailand, as the voltage is different there, and you are going to have problems using the same one you use in your country (unless you are Asian).

 

In Thailand, the standard voltage is 220V, which is higher than in the US, which is only 120V. To use your US adapter, you will need to get a voltage converter. I would buy an adapter specifically for Thailand to avoid the extra costs.

 

12. A light scarf and at least 1 shirt with long sleeves (you will need it when you go visiting temples). I had none of those, and when I went to Temples, I was turned out in most places (in some, they do not care what you wear) because I didn’t have anything that covered my head, arms, and legs. Most temples require women to cover their shoulders and knees. So, bring clothes to wear in Thailand with this aspect in mind.

 

I had no other option but to borrow them (for money). So, better to be prepared, and pack them with you.

 

13. A hand sanitizer is a must. Thailand is a place with sanitary issues, as you might have heard already. I even heard that some people do not flush the toilets and if you are looking for a toilet somewhere outside, expect to find one super old without any toilet paper and water to wash your hands. Pattaya (close to the beach) is a good example. I wouldn’t recommend going to Thailand without minimal toiletry items whether you’re a man or a woman.

 

14. A crossbody or a beach bag. Having a little small purse is always a good idea. If you need a beach bag, you can buy it at one of the local markets in Thailand for $5 (also, you can negotiate a price), but it will be of very poor quality.

 

15. An insect repellent (you don’t need it in the city, but it is nice to have). You most likely won’t need any if you are staying in Bangkok, but if you plan on going outside of that area, I suggest getting one. Sometimes, mosquito bites can be not only uncomfortable but dangerous too and they can ruin a great trip.

 

16. A toilet paper or napkins/kleenex. It sounds funny, but it can help you in a lot of situations :). As I mentioned earlier, public restrooms in Thailand are not the best, and most of them do not have toilet paper so your Kleenex will come in handy.

 

 

What Not to Take to Thailand and Avoid Doing

1.I wouldn’t bother taking jeans because most likely you will never wear them (remember, it is too hot there). Instead, take 2 pairs of light pants and shorts.

2. Don’t pack flat shoes to wear on long walking distances as your feet will hurt a lot (as mine did).

Avoid

1.Drinking tap water as it is not safe

2. Do not accept the ATM’s conversion rate. As the rate will be different and you can end up getting less money because of it.

 

Some Useful Thailand Travel Tips

• Make sure you have some cash (Baht), as 99% of places will only accept actual money, not cards.
•  Do not go to the beach without a beach blanket or towel as it will be hard to find it near the beach, and in case you do, it will cost you a bit more cash than in the city.
• If you have unlimited mobile internet (I didn’t have a problem with that), you do not need a mobile sim card as you can call via WhatsApp or any app you usually use at home.

 

You will find more tips on how to pack light in my ULTIMATE TRAVEL PACKING GUIDE

What to Expect in Thailand

1.Most people do not speak English. In many poor countries, it is a known problem. You might want to learn some basic words up front. It’s a good idea to use the Duolingo app as it is your best help.

 

2. Payment method: cash (rarely cards in stores like 7-Eleven with a minimum amount for purchase). If you want to shop in local markets, expect cash only. Restaurants take cards, but 7-Eleven requires a minimum amount to spend to use a card.

 

3. It is super hot. Yes, it is hot. Make sure you drink plenty of water and wear sunglasses and a hat.

 

4. You can negotiate any price. They can offer you a cheaper price if they see you are not sure about making a purchase or just ask them first.

 

5. Use Grab instead of Uber. It is the same service, and the app is available to download online.

 

6. Get an hour’s body or foot massage for $5-6. The massage is amazing. They use different techniques, and leaving tips is optional.

 

7. Try the freshest and juicy fruits you have ever eaten in your life. They are sold in the markets, and you can choose what you want.

 

8. Expensive food in Thailand can be frozen and not very tasty. To make sure you have a good food experience, look for something not more expensive than 100 Baht.

 

9. Scamming. Be aware of that and do not trust random people on the street if they are trying to sell you any type of jewelry (genuine quality) or something else. Most things are going to be fake.

 

10. Expect the worst traffic ever, and drivers drive crazy. Be careful and plan your trip accordingly, if you drive.

 

Where to Stay in Thailand

If you travel solo, I would suggest staying in hostels. It will be super cheap for you and easy to make friends. I only paid $50 for 5 days in Bangkok, and I was pleasantly satisfied with my hostel.

 

If you want to know more about spending a great time in Thailand, check out my post about BANGKOK.

How My Packing List Looked Like When I Traveled to Thailand as a Minimalist

Packing list for Thailand

1. 2 bras (beige and black)

2. 10 pairs of light underwear

3. 5 light T-shirts

4. 1 denim shorts

5. 2 light dresses

6. Pair of flat sandals (that was the worst idea as my feet hurt so much. I had to buy flip-flops and throw my sandals away)

7. 1 top + a pair of shorts to sleep in

8. 1 swimsuit

9. 1 jacket (never worn)

10. A pair of jeans (never worn)

11. A pair of socks

12. Plus travel pillow, adapter, mobile charger, tablet, makeup bag, sandals, medicine, and other small stuff.

 

All those fit perfectly in my backpack along with other stuff such as a makeup bag, a hairbrush, a Samsung tablet, and a phone charger. On the way back, I also bought new jeans (I found a good brand for a cheap price in one of the Bangkok markets which ended up being fake) and some delicious snacks, which I was able to put in my backpack as well (so there was still an extra space after all the stuff I brought with me).

 

How About Vaccination Before Going to Thailand

I didn’t do any, but it is suggested. So it is up to you. I would say if you are going to some wild rural parts of Thailand, do it, but if you are going to Bangkok, for example, it is not necessary.

It would be wise to get some travel insurance, though, to be covered for unexpected situations that can appear in a country like Thailand.

 

Final Thoughts

 

A trip to Thailand is very exciting, especially if it is your first time in Asia. Being prepared and having a good mood is all you will need to get the best experience and the best memories of your trip. Packing for Thailand for women now is easier than ever.

 

Thailand has a rich culture that you will want to explore as much as you can. You will need a few weeks in Thailand to take it all in and understand the culture of this country.

 

I hope you enjoyed reading these female Thailand packing tips, along with the  Thailand packing guide for women, which will be useful to you and make your trip better.

 

If you have more tips on what to pack for visiting the land of smiles or other Thailand tips, please share. Thailand offers everything you need to have an awesome experience so pack for a trip that is focused on fun.

 

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