I’m Tying the Knot in Thailand — These Are the 15 Items I Told My Southeast Asia First-timer Guests to Pack

Although I love where I live in Montana, I’ve always wanted a destination wedding. So, much to my 95-year-old grandmother’s chagrin, in a few months, I’ll be tying the knot at Chai Lai Orchid, an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Most of my friends and family have never been to Southeast Asia, so they’re already starting to ask me what they should bring. Fortunately, I’ve visited Thailand every year for an 8-week sabbatical since 2016. 

I may not have permanent resident status yet, but I have the whole Thailand packing list down pat. For example, even if they don’t like sandals, my guests are going to want to pack footwear that’s easy to slip on and off since it’s customary to leave your shoes at the door in this country where construction workers often sport Crocs or flip-flops. 

Technically, traveling to Thailand requires two packing lists. First, you need the gear that will keep you comfortable on the long-haul flight to and from. Then, you need the products that will keep you cool, dry, and safe on the ground whether your itinerary includes Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or any of the other best places to visit in Thailand. My wedding will be in Chiang Mai, but because it’s so far to travel, I’m encouraging my guests to extend their stay and explore the islands, too. Besides their passports, here are 15 items I’m telling the first-timers to pack. 

Neutrogena Beach Defense Water-Resistant SPF 50+ Sunscreen Stick

Most sunscreens available in Thailand have whitening agents (Thais love to lighten their skin), so I always recommend packing your own. Plus, that way you can read the ingredients. While reef-safe sunscreen is a must if you plan on snorkeling, I usually rely on this nifty sunscreen stick for sightseeing because it’s as close to a hands-free application as you can get (and it has a reputation for keeping travelers sunburn-free). It’s water-resistant, blocks 98 percent of harmful UV rays for up to 80 minutes, and because it’s in deodorant form, I don’t need to worry about saving room for it in my quart-sized bag for liquids. 

Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan

With nearly 53,000 five-star ratings and more than 20,000 units purchased in the last month, this flight attendant-approved mini fan is one of Amazon’s top sellers. It’s perfect for Thailand, where even in the winter 85-degree Fahrenheit days aren’t uncommon. Summer is even worse. I like that this fan doubles as a flashlight and power bank. The flashlight comes in handy in case the power goes out or you’re staying at a rustic jungle camp like the one where my guests will be staying. Meanwhile, the power bank is a game changer for long days of temple-hopping when you might not have access to an outlet. 

Topo Designs Mountain Utility Tote

Thailand banned single-use plastic bags in 2020. You’ll still find them at grocery stores, but you’ll have to pay for them. While they’re only around $.03, you’ll sleep better at night knowing you packed a more sustainable reusable tote. I travel with the Topo Designs Mountain Utility Tote, which I use as my personal item on the plane. This tote bag isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it when you find yourself using it every day at home, too. I love the cinchable collar which ensures nothing falls out. It also comes with a removable strap that’s ideal for heavy loads. 

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes go to a Thai fruit market and come home with a pineapple, multiple dragon fruits, and enough mangoes for a family of four. In the States, my budget can only afford red delicious apples and bananas. 

Sea to Summit Ultra-sil Shopping Bag 

When I want a reusable bag that will fit in my trusty Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag, I opt for this foldable bag that comes with a cute stuff sack. Despite weighing just 2 ounces, it can hold up to 286 pounds. With a 30-liter capacity, it’s big enough to haul all my souvenirs from the street market back to my hotel. One REI shopper, who uses theirs on a daily basis, called it their “magic trick” because it’s so tiny but can unfold to carry so much. 

Chensprx Water-resistant RFID-blocking Wallet 

Most Thai businesses prefer cash or only accept cash. So, while you can get away with just carrying around your phone or a credit card at home, you’ll need a lightweight wallet to carry bills and coins. Everything is so affordable in Thailand that you’ll actually be able to buy things with change! I’m recommending this cute wallet to my guests because it’s water-resistant (we’ll be in Thailand during the end of the rainy season), it comes with a lanyard so they can wear it around their neck, and it has an RFID-blocking lining, so if they do carry a credit card, they don’t need to worry about skimmers. 

Ozlo Sleepbuds 

While I think jet lag is worse coming home from Thailand, I’m still affected by it flying there. Usually, it means I’m wide awake during the middle of the night. Fortunately, three Bose engineers designed these comfy Bluetooth-compatible, side sleeper-approved “sleepbuds” (if you’ve ever tried side sleeping with Apple AirPods, you know it’s a bad idea). According to the National Institutes of Health, soothing audio helps “reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality.” 

They’re not cheap, but lack of sleep can ruin your $5,000 Thailand vacation almost as fast as catching a stomach bug. 

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

While modern hotels in Thailand will have built-in USB ports and outlets that work with multiple plug types, it’s still smart to pack a universal travel adapter because Thailand uses at least four different plug types. I’ve traveled to all seven continents with this top-selling model from Epicka. The prongs retract, so it’s easy to pack, and I appreciate that it can simultaneously charge up to six devices thanks to its USB-A and USB-C ports. Note: while it features built-in voltage protection, it’s not a converter. 

Quince 100% European Linen Wide-leg Pants

There are more than 40,000 temples in Thailand, and if you want to go inside them, you need to have your knees covered. Pants are preferable. While you can buy cotton elephant print pants for as little as $5 in Thailand, I recommend investing in these 100 percent linen pants from Quince that you’ll want to wear on other trips, too. Linen is more breathable and moisture-wicking while being versatile enough to pair with fun tops when you need to dress them up. 

Lululemon All Aligned Ribbed Midi Dress

I call this dress my “temple dress” because it covers my knees and pairs well with most travel scarves which I use to cover my shoulders. It’s made of Lululemon’s “buttery-soft” ribbed Nulu fabric which is the trifecta: breathable, sweat-wicking, and forgiving. I definitely appreciate the four-way stretch and added Lycra because I tend to eat a lot when I’m in Thailand. The food is just so good (and affordable). While this dress isn’t cheap, per se, it’s a wear-anywhere piece that’s easy to dress up or down and to pack in a suitcase. 

Lululemon UnderEase High-rise Bikini Underwear

The average humidity in Thailand is around 75 percent (think: Houston or New Orleans), and I always find myself sweating in places I don’t normally sweat: including my bum. Lucky for me — and you — Lululemon makes underwear that prevents “swass” (or sweaty ass). The secret is the fabric: modal. A natural alternative to polyester, modal absorbs moisture better than cotton does and dries faster. Yes, they’re pricey. But keep in mind they feature chafe-free seams, aren’t easy to see under leggings, and are so comfy you’ll forget you’re wearing them. 

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Electrolyte Powder Drink Mix

Most of my family and friends are from Montana, so they’re not accustomed to heat and humidity. For that reason, I’ll definitely be encouraging them to stay hydrated. While you can find electrolyte packets, or hydration multipliers, at 7-Eleven in Thailand, I prefer to travel with Liquid I.V. because I know exactly what’s in it, and I know I like the taste (there are a lot of unique flavors in Thailand like durian, a tropical fruit with a nutty, creamy, and vanilla flavor profile). Plus, you’ll want it when you get home too as they help with jet lag. 

Sawyer Products SP543 Premium Insect Repellent

While some parts of Thailand have malaria, dengue, and Zika, the chance of encountering them is really small unless you travel to remote areas near the country’s borders with Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam. That said, it’s still annoying to be bitten by Thai mosquitoes, which I swear are faster and harder to kill than the skeeters we have stateside. Stay prepared with this top-rated insect repellent from Sawyer Products, which is available in 2-ounce and 3-ounce sizes (both TSA-approved for carry-ons). 

Tiger Balm Ultra Strength Relieving Ointment 

Thai people love Tiger Balm, a household staple in Southeast Asia for more than a century. Whether they use it to soothe sore muscles after a Muay Thai fight or to warm up muscles before a Thai massage, they swear by it. I like to use this all-natural pain reliever ointment in Thailand because I’m often stiff after being cramped in coach for 20-plus hours. Plus, Thai mattresses (at least in three-star hotels and below) are notoriously hard and thin.

In addition to managing pain, you can also use it to prevent itching from bug bites, reduce swelling associated with heat, soothe tummy aches, and open up nasal passages if you’re congested. 

Greatever Dry Snorkel Set

I don’t love having to pack my own snorkel mask, but I don’t mind it when I think about the time I got pink eye from using a snorkeling tour company’s communal masks. You never know who has used them before you and if they’ve been adequately sanitized in between uses. Yes, you can purchase a snorkeling mask in Thailand. But unless you go to a diving store, you’re probably going to end up with a leaky loo. 

This mid-priced mask has more than 6,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, where one shopper who used it on a trip to Thailand wrote: “The silicone is very comfortable and formed a tight seal…they didn’t fog up.” 

Cacoe Floating Universal IPX8 Waterproof Phone Case 2-pack

Even if you’re not snorkeling in Thailand’s world-famous islands, this waterproof phone case is a must for other water-adjacent activities where you’ll want to take pics for Instagram. For example, my family and I will be climbing Bua Thong Falls in Chiang Mai. And some friends plan on doing the canal cruises and floating markets in Bangkok. Speaking of floating, I love this case because it has “airbags” that ensure your phone won’t sink if it’s accidentally dropped in water, where it’s waterproof up to a depth of 30 meters. 

HP Sprocket Portable Instant Smartphone Photo Printer

Thailand is nicknamed the “Land of Smiles,” and it isn’t just the people on holiday who are flashing their pearly whites. The Thai people are my favorite thing about Thailand, and I always make friends whether I’m standing in line for a smoothie or sharing a ride on a songthaew. A few years ago, I discovered that my new friends love taking photos with me, an American. So, I started packing this wireless, pocket-sized photo printer. You should see the way their eyes light up when I whip it out.

Within 30 seconds, they have a tangible reminder of our encounter. While there are a lot of portable printers out there, the HP Sprocket is among the most reliable. It works with both Androids and iPhones and has more than 19,000 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers. 

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