TH - Packing list for Thailand

I think that packing might be the most important part of any trip but it is my most dreaded. Depending on what you are doing and how you plan on spending your time - what you pack can feel like it's breaking your back. The key is to pack only what you need. Try not to bring valuables because you will spend more time worrying about their safe-keeping than enjoying your vacation. My advice is bring 2-3 outfits and that's it (for a one week trip). You can rearrange them to make new outfits and just hand-wash/hang-dry them each night if you're finicky.

I knew we would be walking a lot with me carrying my luggage this trip. Frankly, until we hit Koh Tao there would be no place to leave it. We had booked an overnight train from Bangkok to Chumphon and I was arriving in Bangkok at 5AM on Monday, the train left that evening. That would be an entire day of toting my belongings around on my back as well as the following week on my return to USA. I knew we would be able to hand wash our clothes and hang them to dry so I decided to bring less.

My list was as follows:

• GoPro, accessories & charge
• Cellphone & charger
• Earbuds/Headphones
• 3 pairs underwear
• 1 bra
• 1 tank top
• 1 pair pajama pants
• 1 long sleeve shirt
• 1 pair yoga capri-pants
• 1 sun dress
• 1 scarf (do you know what all you can do with these??)
• 1 lightweight jacket
• Beach sandals
• Baby wipes
• 3oz bottle of shampoo
• Razor
• Diva Cup
• Pen & small journal
• Collapsible water bottle
• Makeup
• Hair brush
• Toothbrush
• 3oz tooth paste
• Clothes pins
• Passport & Cash

All of this was neatly rolled into a small duffle bag. You can bring a small luggage lock too. I did and it made me feel a bit safer about the camera not being snatched from my bag while I wasn't looking. Pick pockets are a problem but can be avoided if you pack and plan smart. Another good addition would be to bring a day pack.

My belongings were regularly unattended, so really the only concern I had was for my money, camera, and identification. My GoPro, cell phone, money, and passport could fit in a pocket. The GoPro came underwater with us, so really I only had to stash my phone, money, and passport and that was easily put inside a pair of underwear and wrapped. I never had any issues while out on our boat for diving.