What to Pack for Bangkok
A locals-and-expats packing checklist β practical, hot-climate tested, no fluff
How to Think About Packing for Bangkok
Bangkok rewards packing light. The climate is hot and humid year-round β daily highs sit between 32 Β°C and 38 Β°C in most months, with humidity above 70%. You will sweat through clothing daily, you'll never wear anything thicker than a light long-sleeve, and you'll do laundry constantly. The classic mistake is packing too much: heavy walking shoes for sightseeing, jeans for evenings, two jumpers 'just in case.' All of it goes to the bottom of the suitcase and stays there.
The second mistake is over-buying basics at home that are cheaper in Bangkok. Travel-size shampoos, sunscreens, sanitisers, mosquito repellent, paracetamol, contact lens solution, even a basic umbrella β everything is widely available at Boots, Watsons, Tops Daily, and 7-Eleven for 30β60% of US or UK prices. Pack what you'll need for the first 48 hours and refresh at a local pharmacy when you arrive. The one exception is prescription medicine: bring everything you need for the trip plus a buffer, in original packaging with your name.
Pack with the dress code in mind. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Saket, and most major temples enforce a strict cover-shoulders-and-knees rule. The Grand Palace turns away visitors in shorts and tank tops and rents sarongs at the entrance. Bringing one light long-sleeved shirt and one pair of light trousers makes life much simpler β you can wear them on temple days without changing your entire outfit. Slip-on sandals also matter: you'll remove shoes constantly at temples, homes, certain restaurants, and Thai massage parlours.
Essentials Checklist
Lightweight Clothing
4β7 short-sleeve shirts/dresses, 2 light long-sleeves (for temples and air-conditioned spaces), 2 trousers or skirts that cover the knees, 1 light rain jacket. Cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking synthetics. Skip jeans.
Sun Protection
SPF 50+ sunscreen (Bangkok UV often hits 11), a cap or wide-brim hat, polarised sunglasses. Most Thai sunscreens contain whitening agents β bring your preferred reef-safe or tone-neutral brand from home.
Universal Adapter
Thailand sockets accept Type A (US flat), Type C (Europlug), and most accept Type B (US three-prong). UK Type G plugs need an adapter. 220V / 50Hz β check device labels for dual-voltage. A multi-port USB-C charger covers most needs.
Personal Medications
Prescription meds in original packaging with your name, plus a doctor's letter for anything containing pseudoephedrine, modafinil, or narcotic painkillers. Common OTC items are cheaper at Thai pharmacies, so don't overpack ibuprofen or stomach meds.
eSIM or Phone Setup
Install an Airalo, Saily, or Holafly eSIM before flying (typically 8β25 USD for 7β30 days), or buy a tourist SIM at the airport (299β599 THB for 8β30 days unlimited). Most modern iPhones and Samsung/Pixel phones support dual eSIM so you can keep your home number for SMS.
Cash + Cards
100β300 USD in crisp, undamaged bills for currency exchange (Super Rich and Vasu give the best rates). Two cards from different networks (Visa + Mastercard) in case one gets blocked. Notify your home bank of travel dates before you fly.
Don't Pack These
- Vapes and e-cigarettes (legal grey area, can be confiscated and fined heavily)
- Cannabis or CBD products (legal in Thailand but illegal to import)
- Heavy winter clothing β Bangkok lows are 22 Β°C in 'cool' season
- US 120V-only hair dryers / curling irons / shavers β they'll burn out on 220V
- Excessive paracetamol, ibuprofen, or basic toiletries β far cheaper at Thai pharmacies
- Expensive flashy jewellery (sweaty, useless in temples, theft target)
- Khaki tactical-style clothing if planning to visit government buildings (not strictly banned, but invites scrutiny)
Quick rule of thumb
Pack as if you're going to a hot beach holiday + one temple visit + one evening dinner. Add a light layer for over-air-conditioned malls and BTS trains. That's it. Everything else can be bought cheaper here.