✅ Essentials Checklist
- Passport valid for 6+ months beyond travel dates
- Travel insurance documents (always print a copy)
- Lightweight, breathable clothing — natural fibres work best in humidity
- Modest cover-up for temple visits (shoulders and knees covered)
- Flip flops or slip-on sandals (removed constantly at temples)
- Sunscreen SPF50+ (UV is intense year-round)
- Insect repellent — DEET-based for mosquitoes
- Reusable water bottle with filter (tap water not safe to drink)
- Small daypack for beach and day trips
- Waterproof phone pouch (beach, water parks, rainy season)
- Power adapter (Type A/B/C — Thailand uses multiple)
- Small padlock for hostel lockers
👕 Clothing Checklist
- Lightweight linen or cotton tops × 5–7
- Light trousers or maxi skirt (temple-appropriate, also cooler than shorts)
- Shorts × 2–3 for beach days
- Swimwear × 2
- Flip flops and comfortable walking sandals
- Light waterproof layer for rainy season (May–October) or AC chill
- Modest wrap or sarong for temple visits
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
⭐ Nice to Have
- Dry bags for island hopping and rainy season
- Portable fan (humidity is severe in March–May)
- Microfibre towel (guesthouses often charge for towels)
- Biodegradable sunscreen (reef-safe for snorkelling)
- Underwater camera or GoPro
- E-reader (long bus or train journeys)
- Anti-diarrhoea medication — traveller's stomach is common
- Electrolyte sachets for heat dehydration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to visit Thailand?
November to February is the peak season — cool, dry, and ideal for most of the country. March to May is very hot. June to October is the rainy (monsoon) season — heavy afternoon showers but still very travellable, and far cheaper. The Gulf Coast (Koh Samui) and Andaman Coast (Phuket) have different rainy seasons, so one side is often good when the other isn't.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
UK, US, Australian, Canadian and most EU passport holders currently receive a 60-day visa exemption on arrival. This was extended from 30 days in 2024. Always check the current rules with the Thai embassy before travelling as visa policy changes regularly.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Thailand?
No — tap water is not safe to drink in Thailand. Bottled water is cheap and widely available. A water bottle with a built-in filter (LifeStraw or similar) is a sustainable alternative. Ice in tourist restaurants is generally made from purified water, but street ice is best avoided.