Packing for Thailand

sun umbrella

I always take shorts. Not short-shorts, but comfortable knee-length ones in light-weight fabrics. I also take light weight "jeans" that wash and dry quickly. Shorts are not appropriate for some of the tourist spots, such as the Grand Palace. I've been to Bangkok enough times that I no longer go as a tourist. That's why shorts are OK for the places I go (mostly shopping in the markets).

I doubt that an umbrella will be necessary, as Dec/Jan weather is usually quite dry (and NICE). But it doesn't hurt to have a small one along.

Thin cotton, as you mentioned, is a good fabric. But evenings will be cooler (perfect for outside dining) so maybe a light weight jacket??

I'll also be in BKK in Dec/Jan. Looking forward to the beautiful weather at this time of year.

Enjoy your trip.

Carol

The umbrella is for the sun- which is always with you in BKK year round and for the occasional rain shower- just pack one of those small ones in your day pack.

We will be in BKK from 1/16 thru 1/29 at the Plaza Athenee.

thin cotton and washable linnen are 2 very comfortable fabrics that do well there. I find even light weight jeans are too hot. I take a light weight shaw for my shoulders in the evening as some of the AC is a bit too much. I have never needed a jacket, even last week when it was "cool" in BKK.

Carol is right that you cannot enter the Grand Palace in shorts, not any royal property, nor can you enter any wat wearing shorts. Some restaurants and bars will not allow shorts and the lobby of the Oriental does not allow shorts. Since Carol goes to Bangkok to shop, she can get away with wearing shorts in markets and malls. You will rarely see Thais in shorts in Bangkok.

I have never needed a jacket in bangkok. Like others, sometimes the AC is a bit excessive, so a shawl or light sweater can be useful.

No need for a rain jacket.

Laundry is cheap and readily accessible. Have it done at one of the places near your hotel. There will be laundry signs everywhere. That way you don't need to take clothes for two weeks. About five days worth of clothes will work nicely with two or three laundry runs.

Light cotton is the way to go. Two pairs of shorts will do you. You will need several pairs of long pants or skirts for Wats and evening wear.

If you are planning on travelling to Northern Thailand(Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai etc) I would bring a light jacket or a sweater as it does get cold there especially around the end of the year.

Someone has forgotten his time in Ohio. It never gets cold in Northern Thailand. It can get cool. A rainproof windbreaker will suffice.

Some of us don't have as much furs on our bodies as the Panda so we need jackets!

Shorts are okay for lots of things and they take up less room. Not the short short ones, something at the knee level is okay. I like shorts with pockets on the sides for carrying stuff.

You can also use a long sleeve shirt as a light jacket if necessary unless you are in fancy places and would feel out of place. I find the trains in Thailand to be a little chilly and using the long sleeve shirt came in handy. Some movie theaters are also chilly.

When I travel in the winter from the US I usually need a cold weather jacket and some other winter stuff. In Bangkok you can get your hotel to store stuff not needed on your holiday. Just spend the last night in Bangkok and retrieve your bag.

I don't think you will need an umbrella but if necessary you can pick up a short folding job for a 100 baht or less. Unless you are unlucky and encounter some weird weather pattern and it rains the rain won't last too long anyway.

Good luck.

Where are you going, Wally? It was very chilly in the Golden Triangle area in late December '06 - in the high 40's/low 50's. We wore fleece jackets and jeans in mornings and evenings. The rest of the day was sunny and in the high 60's. Bangkok and Siem Riep were very pleasant in the low '80's. You will need lightweight khaki pants, polos, tees, one or two nice cotton shirts, a bathing suit, a hat, the fleece and a long sleeved shirt(if you're going to the north) and a lightweight windbreaker. You will also want shorts for non-urban areas. My husband wore Keens everywhere, but you might also want nice sandals and sneakers.

I will be in Bangkok, taking a tour to the Bridge over the River Kwai and Puhket. So would you recommend a light sweater instead of a light jacket? or a long sleeve shirt? Being from Florida, I get cold on planes, trains and automobiles. Thanks for your responses.

I just got back from one week in Spain and my checked bag weighted 9.7 kilos.

Remember its not that you need the umbrella for rain so much as you might want it for the SUN and heat to keep off of you.
If you are going to do a lot of walking it will help.

Wally34949, you most definitely want to bring thin breathable clothes. Even though December is considered to be the cool season, it can still feel very warm to some visitors. Bringing a jacket in case it rains or gets chilly is also a good idea. Have a wonderful trip!

You will need some long pants.
Check - especially if you are fair-skinned the UV protection of ultra light cotton garments.
Linen kilo for kilo is cooler than cotton.
Bear in mind though that you can always buy stuff here if you feel the clothing you have brought is either not approriate or too warm.
From now (Dec to Feb it is very likely you'll need a sweater or jacket if you intend to go North especially into the hills.

Wally
You mentioned getting cold on planes. I had one of the coldest flights ever, between Chicago and Tokyo, on my way to Bangkok. I always dress for the cold temps on planes!

Take at least one "nice" outfit for dining and seeing the view from places with a dress code. Sky Bar comes to mind. It is at the top of the State Tower building. Expensive to drink there, but just order one, take your time, sip slowly, and watch the city lights from 64 floors up! Fantastic!

You should have glorious weather in Bangkok and Phuket this time of year. I've been a number of times, and I always enjoy the temps. I'm from Illinois. Will be in Bangkok for Christmas and the New Year again this year. Can't wait to get there once again.

Enjoy!

Doesn't anyone else wear hats in the sun? Much more convenient than carrying a parasol, but never mentioned in these packing discussions.

Hat partially works but an umbrella is much more effective against the sun. Take a look on a typical golf course in Thailand and you will see people with hats and umbrellas on sunny days.

Carol please define "Glorious" temps. You are from Chicago and I am from Houston so our definitions may be quite different.

Haha... Bill, anything warmer than a blizzardy winter day back in Chicago (actually I'm 3 hours out of Chicago... not from the city) is glorious for me. BKK temps in the upper 80s in the daytime (maybe even into the 90s, I don't care)_ and then into the 70s at dinnertime (for dining outside) are glorious!! You are right... Houston glorious and Illinois glorious are two different ballgames!

Carol

Ok that is clear- I like the 70's but the 90's Im not thinking glorious- we get 5 months of such glorious here. Now if it can stay in the 80's that might qualify. Any way we will soon find out- we are in BKK in a little over 1 month

Thanks for the comments. Simpson, where you sitting near the exit row? I always get cold in the exit row. And at times there is a lack of pad on the seat. A drink on top of the State Tower Building, 64 floors up sounds good to me. I used to go to the John Hancock Building in Chicago and have a drink up on the 96th floor.

My flight is on Korean Air and their reviews are pretty good--even in economy.

Wally
You'll like Sky Bar. It's outside! and 64 floors up. The fresh air is wonderful, as is the view of course.

Yes, I had exit row 33, and nearly froze. I'm sitting in that seat again, to BKK next week, and also on the way back home in January, if I don't get my requested upgrades. Sure hope I get to ride in business class!!!

DS is on his way to BKK right now, having left the windy city in snow! Yuk! I don't relish my drive from ORD to home tomorrow, when I return from two weeks in Switzerland.

I have not flown on Korean, but hope it is a lovely flight for you.

Carol

Having laundry done is extremely inexpensive and very quick - same day if you give to them early in the day. Take cotton or linen or quick-to-dry fabrics. Take long shorts or capris, and short sleeved shirts. The Grand Palace requires ankles to be covered and upper arms to be covered by women. I took one pair of long pants for evening - although they were Docker type. Perhaps an umbrella for the sun - but you can purchase inexpensively there. Take a visor and/or hat - or purchase one there. Comfortable shoes -- lots of walking!!! Shoes that are easy to slip on and off for the temples are very convenient. Have a fabulous trip!!!

Oh, just to add to the slip on and off shoes, we purchased flip flops there for @ 50 cents. Used around hotels, temples, etc. And then just tossed them at the end of the trip.

tarquin- some may not like to wear hats as their head will sweat and may mess up their "DO" .

Wally, welcome to Bangkok (sometime today?)... Since I left temps of 5 degrees, I'm delighted to be in the heat of Bangkok for a couple of weeks. BTW, I did get my BIZ class upgrades on United, so I didn't have to freeze in row 33, exit row seat. Hope your flight on Korean was nice.
Carol