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Packing List - 10 Days in Thailand
I'm going to Thailand for 10 days with my backpack and me. Plan to spend nights in hotels where available; maybe a night on a beach.
Here is my packing list, thought I would let the experts take a look to see if I'm missing anything. Clothes Socks (7 pairs) Underwear (7) shorts (3) khaki pants (1) t-shirts (4) polo shirts (3) swim trunks (1) long sleeve t-shirt (1) dress shoes birkenstock sandals nike running shoes other stuff extra pair of contacts Imodium pepto bismol Advil razor and gel soap and shampoo tissue packs (2) Dramamine sun block lonely planet guide book deodorant snorkel mask diving log book diving certification card GSM cell phone DigiCam My plans in Thailand are to spend 3 nights at a nice hotel in Bangkok, 3 nights somewhere exploring Chiang Mai, and the rest of the time in Phuket and Koh Samui being a beach bum and SCUBA diving. I have only made plans for hotels the first 3 nights in Bangkok, everything else I'm just going to see what I can find. I plan on traveling by train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, I have a ThaiAir ticket from Chiang Mai to Phuket. Then I plan on going by train or bus back to Bangkok. Little about me .... 24, Male from Chicago. This is my first trip going solo and exploring another country. I will be a few other FTers the first 3 nights. (Disgruntled Goat, TechGirl, BoSoxinBKK) I've been to a few places in Europe mostly for work and never backpacking or winging my plans. This will be my first time in Asia. [This message has been edited by Jace (edited 08-24-2003).] |
My only comment is that many of the nice hotels in BKK and many of the temples and such will not let you in in shorts. I would bring more pants.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by auh2o: My only comment is that many of the nice hotels in BKK and many of the temples and such will not let you in in shorts. I would bring more pants.</font> |
Being used to the very mild British climate, I tend to budget for an extra complete change of clothes per day in that part of the world, especially if I'm going to be walking a lot. The hotel laundry bills can add up.
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bring a hat & bug repellent. Bring along wet wipes for when you don't have a bathroom handy.
Regarding your contacts, I'm not sure if that's convenient if you plan to sleep on a bench overnight. I'd just bring glasses & a glass cleaner. Oh, and don't wear anything that makes it obvious that you are an American. In these dangerous times it's better if someone assumed that you are a European or something. |
I have extended wear contacts that I sleep in and wear for 30 days straight then trash. So they should be OK. I'm just bringing an extra pair in case these get messed up.
Good idea with the hat. Got DEET for the bugs. I'll buy another pair of pants when I'm over there. |
I travel to BKK frequently. My advice to you: don't overpack. You'll be able to buy everything you need over there.
When not on business travel, I travel with "disposable" clothes - I wear 'em and chuck 'em when I leave. I buy all toiletries in BKK (just nip into a 7-Eleven) and again, dump all unused ones at the end of a trip. The contacts, diving-related gear and cellphone/gsm I would bring but the rest you can buy (in small sizes too I might add). |
Tide..
Do you dive? I'm going to bring my mask / snorkel but I'm assuming that dive outfitters there will have fins that you can use / rent / buy. Any suggestions on the best place to go / stay for a few good days of diving? |
Based on my Bangkok expereince from last fall, I'd suggest more Immodium http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif.
DEET has a limited period of effectivity (shorter than overnight); perhaps you shoud consider an anti-malarial (the non-schizo variety) if you're serious about spending a night on a beach. The US CDC also recommends having Hepatitus A/B and Typhoid vaccinations. It may be a little late for these; you should at least have received the first two rounds (30 days apart) for adequate protection. Enjoy the trip - |
As a veteran traveler to Thailand over a number of years, I just want to add the ff:
- malaria is not a major threat in Thailand. Many people mistakenly equate mosquitoes to malaria. It's only a specific breed of mosquito (anopheles) that inflicts malaria. Having said that, there are many pesky mosquitoes at night. Only thing that works in my experience is Off! (contains DEET), specially the green spray can. It works if you can stand its yucky feeling. - diarrhea is most likely caused not by unclean food than by the shock of your stomach to the spicy food. So I recommend to go easy on the chili initially. I drink only bottled water... but that's true wherever I go not just in Thailand. - definitely recommend getting Hepa A & B vaccinations, not just for Thailand, but as a sound preventative measure. - agree with tide: Don't overpack. If you're not picky about your toiletries (i.e., no personal brands), you can find just about all your daily needs at a 7-11 and they're everywhere! Finally, enjoy beautiful Thailand and its most hospitable people. |
Comb, toothbrush/paste...
You do seem to have a lot of clothes. Get a pair of zip-off pants, a couple of rei/ ex officio style shirts, 2-3 pairs of travel undies, thorlo socks... Wash and wear! The extra shoes really add weight to the bag. A lightweight jacket, esp. waterproof would probably be useful. |
Condoms.
Always be optimistic http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif ------------------ "I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you" -Dr. Rumack |
auh2o hit the nail on the head. You will need and wear long pants in Bangkok. Make sure they are comfortable. (Dockers type of pants are perfect.)
-David |
Perhaps this is what you intend, but my son wears contacts and he always brings one old pair just for diving and swimming. If he dives or swims in his regular pair, they get filled with salt or chlorine and then it's apparently not good to continue wearing them for long periods, according to his doctor.
Be careful sleeping on the beaches. My husband had some bug from the beach take a big chunk out of his skin and give him a nasty infection. A pharmacist there gave him something, but it didn't do any good. At home he got antibiotics, had it lanced and cleaned and now he has a nice souvenir scar. While sleeping on beaches is nice, hotels are so cheap there - check Priceline Asia's message board - you may want to reconsider, especially because if you're going anytime soon there's a good chance you'll get rained on. |
I just got back from another 17 days in Thailand yesterday. I also backpacked there for 2 months in 2001. Here are my comments about your original list.
Clothes Socks (7 pairs) leave at home. Wear single pair on the plane if you must. Underwear (7) shorts (3) khaki pants (1) The ones found in the US are generally too heavy for Thailand. Buy some lightweight pants on the street for approx $8. Take along lightweight dark pants for those dressy evenings. t-shirts (4) If on tight budget OK. otherwise buy in LOS polo shirts (3) Leave at home Take (1)lightweight, color dress shirt swim trunks (1) long sleeve t-shirt (1) Leave at home dress shoes What on earth for? You are backpacking not doing business lunches. birkenstock sandals nike running shoes If you must (see socks). They generally stay in the backpack. other stuff extra pair of contacts I generally take at least 2 more sets (disposable) than I expect to use Eye glasses lots of smoke and dust around Sun glasses Bandaids Neosporin (or equiv) Condoms Several 1 gallon ziplock bags Needle and heavy thread for repairs Tooth brush/paste Imodium pepto bismol Advil razor and gel soap and shampoo tissue packs (2) Dramamine sun block lonely planet guide book notebook / pen deodorant snorkel \ mask / unless they are special these are readily rented in LOS diving log book diving certification card GSM cell phone Charger DigiCam Extra batteries/charger/flash card Maybe one of those cable backpack locks. MP3 player Money / ATM card / Credit card (take all 3) My backpack is carry on luggage. Clothes are easily washed and travel size detergent is easily found at 7/11 stores. Edited to repair bold type [This message has been edited by tcjack (edited 08-25-2003).] |
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