BillT

Mail them home? That could get expensive. By the way you don't have to "haul around" suitcases unless you are doing the backpacker/hostel thing which I don't think the poster intends. Cabs are cheap and there are people everywhere to assist with your luggage. Its hot and humid in Thailand you may want some extra clothes so you don't spend a lot time rinsing out your clothes in the sink.
When we go to Asia we check two large suitcases and two carry-ons and the only time I'm "hauling around" luggage is from my house to the car! At the airport - I use a porter, cabbies handle from there, at the hotel- hotel staff carry. Checking out- hotel bellhop, etc so you see its not a problem and you are not spending time at the sink every other day!

MmePerdu

Every experienced traveler learns the joys of traveling light very early on. I travel for months at a time and never have more than a carry-on size bag, still have more stuff than I use. Everyone has a travel style and if big bags and stuff is your thing, Bill, no one cares. But for those who'd like to lighten up then some of us have advice for them. Clearly not for you.

As I said, mailing boxes home by surface mail is very inexpensive. I'm never in a hurry to get it so it works for me. I get to shop AND not bother with an extra suitcase, which, on my long trips would be oppressive.

Not for you, fine. This isn't a contest. Just information for those who care to listen.

Kathie

For those who live in the US, mailing items home may incur customs charges, but carrying things home give you a large duty-free allowance. I don't know what the rules are for Australia. Can you tell us, MmePerdu?

MmePerdu

I can only speak to boxes of things mailed to the US. I've never been charged duty and they've always been delivered to my home, no problem. But then I don't buy expensive things which may incur duty. But I also wouldn't mail expensive items. My boxes tend to have clothes I've had made, or used items I'm mailing home, inexpensive textiles, baskets, tea, books, kitchen gadgets, pottery - all of which don't add up to a lot.

Years ago I did have a carpet shipped by the dealer and it did require payment of duty but not enough to worry about.

For those thinking about mailing boxes by surface mail, do bring a roll of strapping (filament) tape as the boxes do get roughed up during transport. Pack them accordingly.

MmePerdu

A word of warning (I just remembered): It's cheap to mail from Asia except from Singapore. I haven't mailed anything from Japan so don't know but suspect it might be expensive there too. But if you're traveling around and plan to mail anything, plan ahead and mail them before or after Singapore. Also, be sure to specify surface mail if you want the lowest rate, as the assumption is always that we want it sent by air.

yestravel

Last trip to SEA we mailed several packages to the US from varying places in Thailand. It was very inexpensive and the packages arrived within a week or so. the staff at the PO were very helpful with boxing and taping the packages. We has no packing supplies and bought it very inexpensively from the PO. some of what we mailed were gifts and some were items of clothing we brought and didn't need. It was easy to do and took little time.

Heed progol's advice about the boat trip being cold in the am.

progol

More thoughts about what to take:
1) Small flashlight - invaluable to have
2) Immodium (easily purchased, but nice to have when needed!)

scoyne999

Thank you all! These are great posts. We leave in four days!!! I'll be sure to thank you all by posting our trip report.

WWanderer

Thanks progol for the info on the boat trip. Just added a cotton turtleneck to the bag for husband who gets cold easily. I'll be wearing a lightweight fleece to the airport so that should be enough.

Decided against all carry-on. So we upgraded to one roll-aboard and one medium-sized suitcase, plus a small carryon bag for valuables. So we can carry things like a pair of scissors, and and a few more liquids! And we have room for shopping, since the bags really aren't that full!

We may leave the one big bag in Bangkok while we travel inland, since we'll be going back before going on to Singapore.

I suspect we'll be getting laundry done in Luang Prabang, since we'll be there 4 full days and I see there's a laundry close to our hotel. I'm counting on at least two dirty shirts a day, considering the weather in the south at least (mid-90's in Bangkok coming up.)

We're basically packed--take off early tomorrow morning. I will try to do a trip report, perhaps from Singapore where I will have plenty of time on my hands while my husband does his dog & pony shows.

BillT

WWanderer:
I believe you will find that your decision on luggage was the right one. Leaving room in your large suitcase makes a lot of sense as I'm sure you will find many things to buy and it will fill that suitcase! Have a good trip.

Dickie_Gr

We chartered a yacht from Phuket over New Years Eve this year.

I have to say we fell in love with Railay Beach but so have so many other people. I hope it is quieter for you we were there at the ultra peak week. I would check very carefully about trips to Koh Phi Phi, it was just hideous when we visited, people absolutely everywhere.

For day trips ask someone to take you up past the Ritz Carlton to Laem Taeng. It is stunning, full of wildlife and very quiet.

scoyne999

Thank you, Dicki_GR - will do!

Dickie_Gr

Railay had the feel that KPP probably had years ago. Calm and relaxed.

Koh Phi Phi was terrible, saw lots of tourists feeding beer and crisps to the monkeys on the beach.

Be aware that many of the water based day trip operators are insane and don't take safety very seriously. We nearly wrote a book of the dangerous encounters we witnessed, if you do venture out, take a suggestion from the hotel.

Also loved Koh Hong.

Dickie_Gr

Pd don't pack much money.

Old adage for the Caribbean.

Pack twice the money and half the clothes. For Thailand, pack half the money and half the clothes.

Even meals at 6 star resorts were reasonable. At very good, independent restaurants food was ridiculously good and ridiculously cheap.

We tried and failed to spend our budget.

scoyne999

Sounds great, Dickie_GR! We are in Boston in the middle of a blizzard and hoping/praying we get out tomorrow night!! CANNOT wait to get there and soak in all that is THAI!!!

sartoric

We just mailed a 15 x 15 x 30 cm box from Chiang Rai to home in Australia this morning, 45 baht for the box and lots of tape, and 980 baht for surface mail. The post office will give you a receipt and tracking number, the staff were very helpful, and I expect our box to be home before us.

Agree with the light packing, DH and I left home with 19.4 kg between us for a six week trip. Laundries are relatively easy to find, just ask. In Chiang Rai we paid 60 baht for 2 kilos of washing, as opposed to hotel at 30 baht per shirt.

If you're petite you will be able to buy fabulous clothing off the rack, think 150 baht for light weight pants decorated with silver tribal motifs. I bought a similar pair years ago in Cambodia and still wear to this day.
Enjoy.

Katie2784

A durable pair of walking shoes!

jet342001

Pants, I made the mistake of only bringing shorts. Most of the popular temples as well as the palace require pants.