10 Worst THAILAND Packing Mistakes

Don't make these packing mistakes on your trip to THAILAND.

Chapters
Intro 0:00
My biggest mistake 0:28
Clothes 1:20
Toiletries 2:56
Money: 4:43
ATM Cards 5:58
Phone and Internet 7:47
Electronics 9:31
Pharmaceutical Medications 10:28
Documents 11:53

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29 Thailand Tips

[eco]

On my 20th year of living in Thailand. It’s worth mentioning that if a person is overweight it will be difficult to find clothe that fit them here so they may want to bring enough light cloths with them and also bras are almost impossible to find in Thailand if you’re bigger than a C cup and knickers are very expensive in larger sizes.

[ammerudgrenda]

Great info. I have traveled to Thailand at least 8 times and pack less every time. A couple of comments/tips:
- Sunscreen, this was mentioned, but important. You will need a lot of it. Expensive in Thailand.
- Power bank. Make sure it’s NOT in you checked bag. Also, there is a limit to the size (Amp-hours) that is allowed.
- Suitcase. Should be good quality one, preferably the 2-wheel type. The flimsy 4-wheel types are not suited for dragging thru the streets.
- Laundry: Don’t use the hotel laundry as it’s expensive. The are are plenty of local laundry places in your local neighborhood. They will have your laundry ready and folded the next day.
- I bring one pair of long pants and I end up using it only when coming and going. I recommend the cargo-type pants where you can unzip the legs. I unzip the legs prior to arriving in Bangkok. On my return trip to my cold country, I put them on before landing.

[photoholic]

When travelling to places like Thailand/Vietnam/Philippine's or anywhere warm, i pack one side of a carry on bag. The other half i leave empty for purchases along the way. I have done this for years and it works great. Ive got 50 days in Thailand coming up in a month and will pack the same way again. Not a fan of backpacks as my primary bag, but thats just my preference.

[lukebrisbane]

You got a huge thank you from my wife for mentioning the Tampon issue. I am 6'4" so not so easy to find clothes that fit me so if you are my size and find a shirt etc. that you like buy 2. Hand luggage for us and bum bags. One trick to stay under weight is a neck pillow case that you can stuff with small heavy things or rolled up heavy shorts etc. just to get your weight down. They often weigh carry on these days. Also easy to hide a few item in top of airport trolley and drape a jumper over it

[olafzijnbuis]

I visited Thailand for 4 weeks last January.
All I took was a medium size shoulder bag. It included a DSLR camera with 2 lenses, and it was about 7 kg.
I left my warm coat and other cold-weather clothing in the hotel in Bangkok. This was free of charge as I had a reservation for my last night there.
As for clothes... There are plenty of public laundry facilities available where you can wash all your clothes for 80 Baht including drying.

[sv]

If you are a plus size woman disregard leave your clothes at home as larger sizes are hard to find. Also don’t bring materials that aren’t breathable because you will sweat.
Also Chiang Mai did not recognize my US international drivers license. So I paid the fines and eventually got a Thai license

[bennetnelson]

Multiple trips to Thailand..all information is very useful for first time travellers…Good work!!!

[angelkat]

Tropical clothes don't weight much. It's shoes, cosmetics, bath products and snorkel gear that does. And if you buy them there you still have to haul them around when you take domestic flights, speed boats, ferries, trains or buses. Our International flight allowed 2 checked bags, no extra charge. Just pay the extra fees and bring what you want! Great info on changing money and buying sim cards.

[georgeaswipe]

After 10 years overseas in 46 countries… the best bet is to go simple: Use a re-sizeable rucksack (don’t cheap out here - the best is one that goes from 40 - 120 liters size) with an airport cover (just a thin bag that covers the ruck so the straps survive the airport), and a smaller pack (ideally the US military assault pack) for everyday use as a carry-on bag. Pack: a small roll of duct tape, nail clippers, sunscreen, shaving razor blades / handle, toothbrush, a small toothpaste tube, a zip lock with q-tips (2/ day, 6/day if diving), eyedrops, anti-diarrhea meds, a new (unopened) bottle of pain reliever, two pair shoes (hiking trainers and washable sandals), a couple t-shirts, a hat, one pair of jeans (worn on the flight), one pair thin hiking pants, a couple pairs of shorts, 3-4 pair of socks, 3-4 pairs underwear, a cloth laundry bag, a mesh belt, and a hoodie (for the flight). Bring a travel plug converter (sold at the airport). Bring 2 pairs of glasses with hard travel cases if you wear them. Carry $2K USD (or equivalent) cash per 14 days plus 3 credit/debit cards minimum in a neck or inside belt travel wallet. Notify your bank. Just use an international phone plan unless you are staying over 30 days. Bring a long paperback book or two and leave them when you finish them. Get the international drivers license. Keep a photocopy of your passport ID page and all your credit/debit cards.

It sounds like a lot, but it fits in less than 2 cubic feet.

[Shaqattaq]

Thanx Cal for the very informative video, will make sure to note all your tips when traveling to Thailand

[matthewdyer]

All top notch advice. A rarity fro Thailand videos on YT

[cheezyortizee]

this is very helpful, I always tell my friends don't pack too many shirts cause you're more likely to buy them as souvenirs, so you can wear them while traveling around

[TomC-nfzu]

My first trip (2017) to Thailand I had trouble exchanging money that had writing on them. It was difficult to find a place that would accept them. And then they would not have the best exchange rate.

So, if you are bringing money into Thailand, go to your bank in your home country and request the latest bills. And check each bill for hand writing.

[geoffburns]

I've been back and forth to northern Thailand frequently since 2003, and unless taking a batch of supplies and books for a local school I have only ever taken a carry-on bag.
This holds my laptop, camera & lenses, 2 tshirts, change of underwear and 2 pairs of socks.

I can wash my clothes in the evening, hang them out, and they are dry in the morning.
If I buy extra, there will always be someone who will be only too happy to accept some almost-new items when it comes time to leave again.

[josefmprable]

As a half Aussie-Thai, I disagree on the electronics pricing part. I find electronics in many categories in Thailand to be quite a bit cheaper than my home country in Australia. There is usually always a deal to be found, especially during the monthly calendar date sales like 2.2, 3.3. Plus, as a tourist in Thailand, you could maximise your savings more by requesting vat refunds.

[dennisspackman]

Couple of copies of your information page of your passport. I make a couple of copies then plasticize them so they stand up to wear and tear of travel. Then whichever country I am in I generally leave my passport where I am staying and carry a plasticized copy of the passport information page. It works for most day to day activities. Of course for government services, some business transactions, flight etc you will need to use your original passport.

[comet]

Thanks for the advice, were actually leaving this week. So this a great reminder video.

[eighteenecho]

When the wife and I came to Thailand last month we brought bedding for our house. We were here last spring and had a hard time finding 100% cotton sheets so we brought our own. I also have a hard time finding shirts and shoes up country.

[Offon_A_Boondoggle]

Excellent advice as usual; always appreciate your very detailed descriptions.

[ChristianZarate-dn]

i pack as light as i can when i got to bangkok, just the essentials, sun block is a must for me, went this year in march and will be going again next year in march again, super rich is the best place to exchange money, something to take into consideration is that the exchange rate is not the same for all bank notes, the $100 and the $50 bill will be same rate but the $20, $10, $5 and $1 bills wont be same rate, try and take some crisp $100 and $50 bills to get best rate