Packing for our summer trip to Thailand was less stressful compared to creating a travel wardrobe for our autumn trip to Turkey. One, because I grew up in Philippines; a country also located in Southeast Asia! Two, because I am familiar with the weather in the tropics... the warmth and the humidity during summer! Three, because it was only a 5-day trip!
But here's the catch, I was not accustomed with Thailand's culture! It was my first trip and I was not sure if my clothes are conservative enough for temple visits. Hence, while packing, I mainly relied on common sense. You never really know what you missed until you have arrived though. In short, I experienced a little wardrobe booboo.
But here's the catch, I was not accustomed with Thailand's culture! It was my first trip and I was not sure if my clothes are conservative enough for temple visits. Hence, while packing, I mainly relied on common sense. You never really know what you missed until you have arrived though. In short, I experienced a little wardrobe booboo.
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So, ladies, to help you plan for your trip to Thailand; specifically for summer in Phuket and Bangkok, here is a quick packing guide.
Phuket is home to some of Thailand's best beaches. It is also a good base for a day trip to the islands of Phi Phi. So, make sure to pack a swimwear! Well, make it two! You might be in the beach for two consecutive days; hence it's better to have an extra swimwear while the other one is still for drying.
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| one sunshiny day in Phi Phi |
2. Slip on sandals
Sandals and flipflops will be your besties in Thailand. These are not only useful for the beach, but also when you visit a temple or when you get a Thai massage. This simple footwear is easy to remove when you're asked to go in barefooted in a place of worship or in the spa.
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| a summer must-have |
3. Flowy Dress
The weather is usually too humid to wear jeans. So, remember to pack a few flowy dresses. Trust me, you'll feel more comfortable and ready for photo ops! But make sure your dresses are not revealing when you plan to visit temples.
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| summer-ready in Phuket |
4. Sarong
This simple piece of fabric is so versatile! But, I failed to bring one. Boohoo. Turned out my Mama is a better packer than me. She packed two sarongs, and we have used it as a beach mat in Phuket, as a shawl when I felt cold in the skytrain in Bangkok, and most importantly as a makeshift skirt when I was told that wearing leggings is not appropriate for the Grand Palace!
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| Dress modestly at the Grand Palace! |
5. Hat
You'll be under the sun most of the time, so bring a hat or buy one in a local market. Umbrella would be too bulky and sunglasses wouldn't be enough.
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| sun-protected in the floating market |
Aside from travel wardrobe, here are 3 essential things that deserve a mention:
Universal Adapter - Two prong round or flat plugs can be used in Thailand. If your gadgets don't have this type of plugs, you must bring an adapter. For frequent travelers, a universal adapter is a good investment. We purchased ours in Sharaf DG. It is a small adapter with different types of plugs and sockets.
Camera (Of course!) - You'll be taking lots of photos for sure. So, before leaving for the trip, transfer your old photos in the hard drive. We usually travel with two empty memory cards!
Thai Baht - Bring enough cash as some establishments do not accept credit card. Baht is the local currency of Thailand. 1 THB is currently equal to 1.41 PH Pesos or 0.10 AE Dirhams.
Traveling to Thailand soon?
You might find some useful travel tips in my previous posts:
5 Days in Thailand: Phuket - Bangkok Itinerary
8 Things To Do in Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Old Town Bangkok Do-It-Yourself Tour
2 Blogger Comments
Such a helpful guide! Thank you Idol :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanna and Iah! But you know what? I cringe every time you say idol. :p
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