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Thailand packing list
What to bring to Thailand - and what to leave at home
With Thai cultural considerations, Samui's tropical climate and baggage allowances to contend with - packing for Thailand can be difficult. Y'know that melt-down that happens in front of the empty suitcase?
Let us quell the panic & make your departure for Samui as easy as possible. Our Thailand packing list details which electronics, toiletries, clothing, shoes and other items you might need - and what's best to buy locally on Koh Samui.
What to pack?
Clothing
You need only pack very little. If staying in our villa you'll have in-house laundry available to you. Elsewhere, there are many laundry services around the island. One-day service and your knickers come back ironed. Charges are 30-40 THB per kilo.
Light cotton is best for this hot climate. What to wear in Thailand? Cotton shirts, dresses, shorts - all good.
Collared shirts for men are considered more polite for formal occasions, such as dinner at a nice restaurant. For girls, a button-up shirt is a handy beach cover-up.
Swimwear
Shoes
Flip flops/thongs are THE choice for Koh Samui footwear.
Dusty roads and Thai etiquette mean you won’t want to unlace your shoes every time you enter a shop.
Trail or running shoes
If you’re hoping to get a bit adventurous, bring hiking or running shoes. Remember, “it’s a jungle out there!”
Fancy feet not necessary
Samui’s roads and footpaths are, in many places, a bit rough. Outside of resorts (or villas), strappy sandals and dressy shoes may get wrecked.
Electronics
Your unlocked mobile phone
Buy a cheap Thai SIM card from 7/11 or Family Mart ('1, 2, Talk' or 'Happy' are the providers).
Socket adapter
Thai sockets will fit two plug types:
North American with 2 flat blades
European with 2 circular pins
Other gadgetry
Camera (& polarising filter), iPod (& iPad?), video camera, laptop, GPS - whatever you can’t live without.
Toiletries
Sunscreen
Samui chemists stock predominantly Nivea and Banana Boat brands, in a limited selection of SPF numbers. They’re much more costly than at home.
Mosquito repellant
If you’ve got it - bring it. Otherwise buy on Samui.
Other
• Brand name cosmetics
• Electric toothbrush heads
• Tampons
• Deodorant (only roll-on and antiperspirants are available)
• Shampoo (locally available products are for Asian hair)
• Face creams/moisturiser (many creams here have whitening agents)
Etcetera
Travel insurance
You can buy extremely reasonable travel coverage online and it’s highly recommended. (Read our 'World Nomads' travel insurance review).
Luggage locks
Ensure peace of mind while your bags transit - lock any and all outside pockets (or zap-strap/cable-tie shut).
Champagne
Got something to celebrate? The bubbly stuff’s very costly on Samui and can be hard to find outside of hotels. BYOB!
Addresses for your postcards
What’s paradise if you can’t brag about it?
Hat
A good sun hat will serve you very well indeed. Baseball hats are widely available and some cowboy styles can be found. If fashion matters to you - bring your own.
Travelling with a baby?
Baby Center has a good checklist.
back to top
What to get once on Koh Samui?
If you're going shopping for holiday things, take note of what can be easily obtained on Samui.
Cash - Thai Baht
International ATMs are very readily available.
Check your bank’s international service fees before departure.
Calling cards/phone cards
At 7/11, Family Mart
(or use Skype with a webcam at any Samui internet café).
Beachwear
All manner of sarongs, wraps and cover-ups are available both from shops and beach vendors.
Books
Enjoy many second-hand bookshops and ‘help yourself’ shelves in pubs and restaurants. Many languages are available. (Read our Thailand book recommendations).
Tank tops/vests/t-shirts
Tesco stocks a wide range of clothing in Thai sizes, many for a steal at 40THB.
Stock up on ‘use for a week’ holiday wear and stop worrying about sunscreen stains.
Sunglasses
Top Charoen Optical (everywhere) sells genuine name brand pairs at v-e-r-y reasonable prices. Knock-offs are sold in every corner shop on the island.
back to top
Helpful packing hints
Bangkok Airways baggage limit
Checked: 20kg/adult, 10kg/infant
Carry on: 5kg/person
(A few things to know about Bangkok Airways).
Electricity
Thailand uses 220 volts, 50 Hz.
* Voltage: If your home country uses 110 volts, note that many items such as laptops, cameras and mobiles are dual-voltage and will work in Thailand (220v). Check your electronics in advance to be sure you won’t need a voltage adapter.
(A geek's guide to world voltage).
Clothing customs & decorum
Day-to-day: though Koh Samui is a resort island, beach wear is for the beach only. Visitors should cover up before going into town or to restaurants. Personal appearance is very important to Thais and foreigners often showcase the worst of the worst. Consider your warm Thai hosts' feelings and, if in doubt, leave revealing or immodest clothing at home.
Topless sunbathing is utterly taboo.
When visiting temples: Both men and women should wear clothing that falls below the knee and covers shoulders. Long skirts or trousers on women are preferable and flip flops are best avoided (though you’ll have to remove any footwear before entering).
Black socks
Look ridiculous with shorts. Yes, British Isles, this means you.
Want more Samui info?
Use our Samui guide to plan your best holiday yet.
(Then subscribe to our blog, too!)
back to top
With Thai cultural considerations, Samui's tropical climate and baggage allowances to contend with - packing for Thailand can be difficult. Y'know that melt-down that happens in front of the empty suitcase?
Let us quell the panic & make your departure for Samui as easy as possible. Our Thailand packing list details which electronics, toiletries, clothing, shoes and other items you might need - and what's best to buy locally on Koh Samui.
What to pack?
Clothing
You need only pack very little. If staying in our villa you'll have in-house laundry available to you. Elsewhere, there are many laundry services around the island. One-day service and your knickers come back ironed. Charges are 30-40 THB per kilo.
Light cotton is best for this hot climate. What to wear in Thailand? Cotton shirts, dresses, shorts - all good.
Collared shirts for men are considered more polite for formal occasions, such as dinner at a nice restaurant. For girls, a button-up shirt is a handy beach cover-up.
Swimwear
Shoes
Flip flops/thongs are THE choice for Koh Samui footwear.
Dusty roads and Thai etiquette mean you won’t want to unlace your shoes every time you enter a shop.
Trail or running shoes
If you’re hoping to get a bit adventurous, bring hiking or running shoes. Remember, “it’s a jungle out there!”
Fancy feet not necessary
Samui’s roads and footpaths are, in many places, a bit rough. Outside of resorts (or villas), strappy sandals and dressy shoes may get wrecked.
Electronics
Your unlocked mobile phone
Buy a cheap Thai SIM card from 7/11 or Family Mart ('1, 2, Talk' or 'Happy' are the providers).
Socket adapter
Thai sockets will fit two plug types:
North American with 2 flat blades
European with 2 circular pins
Other gadgetry
Camera (& polarising filter), iPod (& iPad?), video camera, laptop, GPS - whatever you can’t live without.
Toiletries
Sunscreen
Samui chemists stock predominantly Nivea and Banana Boat brands, in a limited selection of SPF numbers. They’re much more costly than at home.
Mosquito repellant
If you’ve got it - bring it. Otherwise buy on Samui.
Other
• Brand name cosmetics
• Electric toothbrush heads
• Tampons
• Deodorant (only roll-on and antiperspirants are available)
• Shampoo (locally available products are for Asian hair)
• Face creams/moisturiser (many creams here have whitening agents)
Etcetera
Travel insurance
You can buy extremely reasonable travel coverage online and it’s highly recommended. (Read our 'World Nomads' travel insurance review).
Luggage locks
Ensure peace of mind while your bags transit - lock any and all outside pockets (or zap-strap/cable-tie shut).
Champagne
Got something to celebrate? The bubbly stuff’s very costly on Samui and can be hard to find outside of hotels. BYOB!
Addresses for your postcards
What’s paradise if you can’t brag about it?
Hat
A good sun hat will serve you very well indeed. Baseball hats are widely available and some cowboy styles can be found. If fashion matters to you - bring your own.
Travelling with a baby?
Baby Center has a good checklist.
back to top
What to get once on Koh Samui?
If you're going shopping for holiday things, take note of what can be easily obtained on Samui.
Cash - Thai Baht
International ATMs are very readily available.
Check your bank’s international service fees before departure.
Calling cards/phone cards
At 7/11, Family Mart
(or use Skype with a webcam at any Samui internet café).
Beachwear
All manner of sarongs, wraps and cover-ups are available both from shops and beach vendors.
Books
Enjoy many second-hand bookshops and ‘help yourself’ shelves in pubs and restaurants. Many languages are available. (Read our Thailand book recommendations).
Tank tops/vests/t-shirts
Tesco stocks a wide range of clothing in Thai sizes, many for a steal at 40THB.
Stock up on ‘use for a week’ holiday wear and stop worrying about sunscreen stains.
Sunglasses
Top Charoen Optical (everywhere) sells genuine name brand pairs at v-e-r-y reasonable prices. Knock-offs are sold in every corner shop on the island.
back to top
Helpful packing hints
Bangkok Airways baggage limit
Checked: 20kg/adult, 10kg/infant
Carry on: 5kg/person
(A few things to know about Bangkok Airways).
Electricity
Thailand uses 220 volts, 50 Hz.
* Voltage: If your home country uses 110 volts, note that many items such as laptops, cameras and mobiles are dual-voltage and will work in Thailand (220v). Check your electronics in advance to be sure you won’t need a voltage adapter.
(A geek's guide to world voltage).
Clothing customs & decorum
Day-to-day: though Koh Samui is a resort island, beach wear is for the beach only. Visitors should cover up before going into town or to restaurants. Personal appearance is very important to Thais and foreigners often showcase the worst of the worst. Consider your warm Thai hosts' feelings and, if in doubt, leave revealing or immodest clothing at home.
Topless sunbathing is utterly taboo.
When visiting temples: Both men and women should wear clothing that falls below the knee and covers shoulders. Long skirts or trousers on women are preferable and flip flops are best avoided (though you’ll have to remove any footwear before entering).
Black socks
Look ridiculous with shorts. Yes, British Isles, this means you.
Want more Samui info?
Use our Samui guide to plan your best holiday yet.
(Then subscribe to our blog, too!)
back to top
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