What should I pack for Thailand?

[HironsBirons]

Heading to Thailand in September for my honeymoon. I haven’t been abroad on holiday for about 10 years! what do I need to pack clothes wise? It looks to be around 30 degrees so hot. At a total loss. I’m the most unfashionable person ever, but I don’t want to look a state in my photos

Possibly an umbrella I think September can quite wet...

Bikinis, maxi dresses, linen or thin cotton trousers. You can buy patterned hippy trousers in all the markets once you're there if that's your thing. I'm partial to an elephant print trouser so possibly don't belong in S&B...

Are you beaching, wandering or both? Where are you going? (nosy)

It will be hot and humid and wherever you are going probably the rainy season. I'm going in October and taking midi sun dresses, linen t shirts and cropped harem trousers along with umbrella and will pick a cheap rain poncho when I'm there. Footwear will be mostly flip flops and Birkenstocks.

Take an empty suitcase. Shopping is amazing out there (especially koh San Road)

Where are you going? If you are going to be visiting temples etc you need something to cover your shoulders if I remember correctly.

Definitely flat shoes as there are barely pavements in a lot of places. You'll kill yourself in heels.

Depending on where you're going, in general it's not really dressy in the evenings. Unless it's a super swanky hotel but even then it was just nice shorts and tops.

Go for cotton and breathable fabrics.

There's always places you can get your clothes washed and ironed. It really does save in space when packing especially as it's so hot and you can usually only wear items once.

Pack as light as poss. Stuff gets ruined by the humidity and dust so take light, cheap things. Pack a light cotton shirt to protect you from sun. Hareems are great but dirt cheap there. Honestly just take the essentials and buy everything there.

I went in Sept and the humidity outside meant that my bikinis never dried on the terrace and the air con inside stopped them drying. I had only packed 2, so each morning I had to put on a wet bikini and head to pool/breakfast. I know it's a first world problem, but I'd pack 6 next time! Love the cotton stuff in the markets and simple rope sandals. Make sure you have empty space in your suitcase.

Yes to breathable fabrics. Also if you are planning on visiting places of religious importance while you're there (e.g.temples) then remember you'll need to dress modestly - shoulders and knees covered. A sarong can be handy to take along for such occasions.

When visiting a country like Thailand I would also pack some long lightweight trousers that I can wear in the evenings, so that my legs don't become a mosquito feast. I have some lovely silk ones that I often take on holiday.

Don't pack heels or too many dressy clothes, I think I lived mostly in shorts and camisole tops when we went as it was too hot for anything else. I don't even think I blow dried my hair or wore much makeup for the 2 weeks we were there as it was too hot, so it was a bit pointless getting dolled up

Proper shoes... not flip flops. Lived in Thailand for many, many years and Thai husband and flip flops are not rated ...you need ‘filled in ‘ shoes for the better hotels and bars and temples even though you take shoes off. They are good for waking through flooded streets and that’s all. Sleeveless tops considered likewise although nobody will ever say anything.PLease,please make sure you don’t have soles of shoes up or pointing at people. I cringe when I see this on BTS in Bangkok..Thais are far too polite to say anything but it’s so bad when I see tourists with feet out or legs crossed and basically sticking soles of shoes in next doors lap. Makeup will run off your face. Sun cream is expensive. Boots is in BKK so you can get anything there.

When I went I took far too much! You need a few bikinis, the tops can double up as bras. Some simple camisoles. A long sleeved cotton shirt to cover up arms when visiting temples. Long loose white linen trousers for evenings again with camisoles. Flip flops for pool and beach, birkenstocks for evenings. A couple of cheap cotton wraps for sarongs.
Buy cotton printed harem pants when you get there, unless you're bigger than a 14, then you'll struggle to find some to fit.
It's a very laid back place, very very humid so buy loose clothing for comfort.

I disagree about the sleeveless tops plenty of locals and tourists from Asia wear them. The greatest thing that will cause offence is tattoos of Buddha. They have posters on arrival at Bangkok airport advising you it's a bad idea.

hot and humid so expect to look a sweaty mess and dont worry about it.

outside the resort it is sleeves to elbow, shorts or skirt to knees and wear a bra. loose clothing is good for humidity. light colours also , all in the same range and you can get it washed together. boardshorts not bikini knickers as they have a chance of drying. rash vest when swimming to keep sun off.

24/7 insect repellent against dengue and of course no deliberate sunbathing due to latitude.

manners - no pdas, as above dont point feet at anyone and treat money with respect as it bears a picture of the king. do not discuss politics and especially not royalty.

shopping wont happen unless you are small and thin, and what a bore on holiday anyway.

It must depend on where in Thailand you are as everyone wore sleeveless tops and short shorts in Phuket and Bangkok. I would have struggled in the heat with long sleeved tops. If you're in a beach resort then definitely don't worry about covering up. If you are going to areas which are much less touristy you might feel better covered up a bit more.

havent been to bangkok - did go to phuket town and a bit of sleeve was the norm there, I didnt say long sleeves.

keeps the sun off shoulders too.

arse baring shorts not a pretty look anywhere.

I think the main issue is not looking like a backpacker most Thais dress well and being neat is seen as polite. I remember walking through Chiang Mai looking pretty rough after doing a couple of weeks voluntary work with animals wearing my oldest clothes along with a backpack and got some disgusted looks from the locals.

I usually travel up north and to Bangkok sleeveless tops are certainly not an issue unless you are visiting a temple.

thats more it - clean and tidy, no ripped or.mucky clothes.

not much to ask, really.

I would pack a couple of maxi dresses, they can be dressed up to wear in the evening, also used for visiting temples and take a contrasting coloured wrap for covering shoulders.

Bikini and then shorts and tops, long trousers and tops

www.debenhams.com/women/dresses/maxi-dresses

Good thing is summer clothes are now reduced

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/maxi-dresses/c/uk-womens-clothing-dresses-maxi-dresses

www.next.co.uk/g672170s10

As said up thread don’t point with your feet, be careful crossing your legs as this puts your foot in a pointing position

Unless you want to resemble a gap-yah teenage backpacker, please for the love of mike don't buy those awful harem/elephant print trousers.

Not only are they extremely unflattering, they are a beacon to every shop owner and foodseller to whack on the special foreign tax.

And they make you look like a twat, quite frankly.

When I went back in the noughties, everyone just dressed like they would in most other holiday destinations? The only place we needed sleeves was visiting the temples in Bangkok.

Obviously all the backpackers (myself included) bought themselves those huge waisted fisherman trousers, but I don't know if that's still the look du jour

Don't know why 'clean and tidy, no ripped or mucky clothes' is anymore applicable in Thailand than other places?

Ha ha, I crossed posted with you there @ShotsFired re: the trousers!

Got to laugh at the no ripped or mucky clothes recommendation as if that was top of the list when packing for your honeymoon

Thank you so much! Off to search for lots of loose flowy maxi dresses & other goodies now. We’re going to Khao Lak, so definitely more beachy than city! May take a trip to Phuket to see some sights though. Looking forward to it!

Sadly probably won’t be buying many clothes there then as I’m fat - usually around an 18-20.

Khan Lak is very nice, we went a couple of years ago. I would avoid long dresses as they will get very dirty at the hem. Go for midi length. Also, if you're bigger, you may suffer from chafing thighs 😳So be prepared! You may be better getting a couple of pairs of loose linen trousers for the evenings. Khan Lak is very laid back!
The humidity is incredibly high at this time of year.
Go for a day trip to Phuket, a taxi will be cheap for the day. Also go for an elephant sanctuary trip and a boat trip to James Bond island. Use the tour guides in the main road, they will be much cheaper than hotel tour guides. Also, be prepared to barter. We had a day trip to James Bond island, canoeing in the Sea around the limestone stacks - which was amazing, and a visit to a sea gypsy floating village for about £10 each, including lunch and all the beer we could drink!
Do NOT go on an elephant ride, it's very very cruel!
Have fun!