Less than one month until we leave for Thailand! We will be there for 2 weeks in April. The focus is now on shopping and packing.

My DH and I are relatively light packers, but still unsure if we will check luggage or not. I prefer to travel with only carry-on since it's less stressful when you don't have to worry about missing luggage, etc. however the liquids/gel rules might prevent it this trip.

We are staying at The Peninsula in BKK, Yaang Come Village in Chiang Mai and Mom Tri's Boathouse in Phuket.

Does anyone know what toiletries (if any) these hotels supply guests - we are staying mostly the basic rooms (deluxe or superior)? It will help knowing what we don't need to pack.

Is it better to just buy things there? Not sure what kind of products the local drug stores sell.

Also what about bug spray? Bugs LOVE me and I have to travel with either Off or Cutters since nothing else works for me -trust me I've tried them all. I feel more comfortable bringing it from home so I am not stuck if I can't find it in Thailand, but I've only seen these available in aerosol. Does anyone know if they are available other ways? (Are aerosol cans even allowed in either carry-on or checked luggage?)

Thanks in advance!

You will be able to buy almost everything except specialty cosmetics in Thailand. Plus, luggage retrieval is much smoother in Thailand than in the US. Most of us actually bring an extra empty piece of luggage so we can bring our purchases home.

It should be noted that cheap laundry is available everywhere outside the hotels. You can certainly lighten the load by allowing for this in your packing.

The Penn provides shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.

All of those hotels will supply shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, etc. If you are picky about brands and scents (or are allergic to some) you'll want to bring your own, as some brands are available in Thailand some are not.

It's hard for me to imagine being able to travel with just a carry on to Thailand for that long, and harder for me to imagine coming back with just a carryon. As Gpanda says, you'll need a whole suitcase for your purchases.

The Peninsula shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and conditioner are Molton Brown and they are wonderful. They will also give you toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving gel, etc etc.

At the Boots drug stores you can get almost anything you need. If you are spending any time in Bkk you can go to the Body Shop or any other cosmetics store that you may need in the Siam Square area. I actually recommend to my clients that they only take a minimum amount when flying to Thailand. You can do laundry and buy things very cheap if you absolutely must have something. Even the second piece of luggage if it comes to that.

We traveled to thailand about 3 years ago.We were gone for 2 and one half weeks.We always travel only with carry on.As far as insect repellent is concerned,
the bugs love me too.I purchase 1 oz.of Cutters outdoorsman which contains 30% deet.It is in stick form.If you want to go stronger, there is repel-about 98% deet,which comes in a small container perfect for carry -on.All of our hotels supplied excellent quality toiletries.If you take your own, just transfer liquid and creams to 3 oz. containers. We had more than enough.Have a wonderful trip.

Latest info on bug spray...Listerine. I have not tried it yet myself but have gotten email saying it works. Worst case..you have good breath and gums.

I'd take a second bag, you don't have to put anything really valuable in it in case it ends up missing. In 11 years in and out of Asia on lots of planes, I haven't had any bags end up lost or stolen (so far!) Once or twice I have had last minute plane schedule changes and the bag arrived later when the airline delivered it to my hotel and even to my house.

If you have a second bag that's only partially full you can use it to carry some souvenirs back home.

Some women who are "bug magnets" might be attracting those bugs by the type of perfume they have on! Try a different smell or less aroma than what you normally wear and see if helps any. Change the type of soap you use too! I usually notice women more often than men with legs and arms all full of bug bites.


Lots of supermarkets and pharmacies selling most of the things you will need.

Good luck

Thank you everyone! It's very helpful.

Kathie-packing light is definitely challenging, but much easier in warmer climates. We went to Italy in the late fall for 2 weeks (think sweaters and scarves) and only brought a rolling carry on each. We did laundry plus some other tricks that help maximize space. It was worth it just so we didn't have to lug large suitcases around (we traveled quite a bit by train).

For those who have taken an empty or slightly empty suitcase for additional purchases, how do you do this? Are you actually checking it empty or are you putting it inside a larger suitcase that you check? (I am assuming you mean an actual suitcase rather than a duffle bag)

I usually bring an empty tote bag for purchases, which I can always carry on and check my normal suitcase. What kind of purchases do you usually make other than clothes or jewelry?

mflickermd- TY! I will look for the 1oz stick Cutters.

SirHalberd-I truly appreciate your feedback. I never travel to bug infested areas (or camping) with perfume for that exact reason. I've even changed deoderants too, but nothing helps. I think in my case it is genetic since mosquitos love my dad just as much.

I'm usually a bug magnet, perfume or no perfume (and I don't wear make-up), but I've found that I get bitten much less when I'm taking Malarone.

I check an empty bag (filled with bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts) each time I go to Asia (x 20 years or so). I'm a collector of high-end crafts, so I buy lots of crafts as well as clothing and jewelry. The crafts are what take space and careful wrapping with bubble wrap.

kimberlyb: I always travel with one of those magic folding bags that come in a tiny little package about 9 inches square . You can buy 'em in BKK easy as pie. When it comes time to stash the shopping out it comes. Bung your more delicate items in the hard luggage, put the soft items in the [by-now miraculously unfolded] extra bag.

Dogster's tip for stealing the hotel toiletries: clear out the bathroom after breakfast. At turn-down in the evening they'll be replenished... do the same the next day.. and the next..

Pretty soon you'll end up with nice Pen soaps and shampoos by the hundred. I'm still using that excellent soap in little round boxes from my last trip to the Oriental.

Yeah, it's vulgar, I know. I'm sure I'm the only one who does it....

We just take a duffel bag packed in another suitcase. On the way back, we always have a full duffel bag. the magic of consumerism.