Thailand Packing List for Indian Travellers

Pack light for Thailand: breathable cotton clothes, a few temple-appropriate outfits that cover shoulders and knees, swimwear, a universal plug adaptor, reef-safe sunscreen and your medicines with prescriptions. Add a light rain jacket for the monsoon and a warm layer for Chiang Mai in winter. Do not carry vapes or e-cigarettes, which are banned in Thailand.

Thailand is easy to pack for, but a few items make a real difference, from temple dress codes to the right adaptor and medicine paperwork. This guide is a practical checklist for Indian travellers, organised by category, with notes on what to leave at home.

The essentials at a glance

Clothes

Pack breathable cotton or linen clothes, shorts and T-shirts for the beach, and one or two outfits that cover shoulders and knees for temples and the Grand Palace. A light long-sleeved shirt helps with sun and mosquitoes in the evenings. Laundry services are cheap and quick in most towns, so you can pack less than you think.

Temple dress code

At the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and temples across Thailand, cover shoulders and knees and avoid tight or see-through clothing. Shoes come off before entering temple halls, so slip-on shoes save time. A light scarf or sarong in your day bag lets you cover up quickly.

Footwear

Bring comfortable walking shoes for cities and markets, sandals or flip-flops for beaches, and water shoes for rocky beaches and boat trips. In the monsoon, choose footwear that can get wet and dry quickly.

Adaptors and electronics

Thailand uses 220-volt electricity, similar to India, with sockets that often accept two-pin flat and round plugs. A universal adaptor covers all types. Carry a power bank for long days, and a waterproof phone pouch for boat trips.

Medicines

Carry personal medicines in original packaging with a doctor's prescription, enough for the trip plus a few extra days. Some medicines, such as strong painkillers and sedatives, are controlled in Thailand; check the Thai Food and Drug Administration guidance before travelling. Pack basic medicines for stomach upsets, fever, motion sickness and allergies, plus oral rehydration salts.

Sunscreen and sun protection

The Thai sun is strong. Pack high-protection sunscreen, preferably reef-safe, as some marine national parks ban sunscreens containing ingredients harmful to coral. Add a hat, sunglasses and a light cover-up for boat trips.

Monsoon gear

From May to October, pack a light rain jacket or umbrella, quick-dry clothes, a dry bag for boat trips and insect repellent. Our Thailand in the monsoon guide has more.

Winter in the north

From December to February, mornings and evenings in Chiang Mai and the hills can be cool. Pack a light jacket or fleece for early starts at Doi Suthep or Doi Inthanon.

Documents

Carry your passport with plenty of validity, printed or saved copies of flights and hotels, travel insurance details, and your Thailand Digital Arrival Card confirmation. Keep digital copies in your email or cloud storage. Our Thailand entry checklist covers the details.

Money and cards

Carry some Thai baht for arrival, a forex card or international debit card, and one backup card. Our Thailand money and SIM guide explains the options.

Food from home

Thailand has many Indian and vegetarian restaurants, but Jain travellers and older parents may like to pack khakhra, theplas and ready-to-eat meals for boat days and early starts. Check customs rules on food before packing.

For children

Pack hats, swim nappies or swimwear, a small first-aid kit, favourite snacks, and entertainment for flights. Strollers are useful in malls but hard on uneven pavements; a carrier helps in markets.

What not to pack

Leave vapes, e-cigarettes, large amounts of cash, expensive jewellery and heavy clothes at home. Avoid packing knives or tools in hand luggage.

Your day bag

Carry water, sunscreen, a scarf for temples, a small umbrella, hand sanitiser, tissues, a power bank and some cash in a small bag.

Laundry and packing light

Hotels and small laundry shops wash, dry and fold clothes within a day at modest cost in most Thai towns. That means you can pack for five or six days even on a two-week trip, leaving space for shopping. Pack a foldable bag for purchases.

Beach and boat days

For island boat trips, pack swimwear, a quick-dry towel, a cover-up, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, motion-sickness tablets, a waterproof phone pouch and a dry bag. Wear water shoes if beaches are rocky, and carry some cash for national park fees and snacks.

Toiletries

Hotels usually provide basic toiletries, and pharmacies and convenience stores such as 7-Eleven sell almost everything. Pack your preferred items, any special skincare and a small sanitiser.

Leaving room for shopping

Many Indian travellers shop in Bangkok and Pattaya. Leave space in your suitcase, check airline baggage allowances on domestic and return flights, and pack liquids such as sauces in checked baggage. Our Bangkok shopping guide has tips.

For vegetarian and Jain travellers

Thailand has many Indian and vegetarian restaurants, but fish sauce and shrimp paste are common in Thai food. Jain travellers and those who prefer familiar food often pack ready-to-eat meals, khakhra, theplas and spice mixes for boat days and early starts. Our vegetarian and Jain food in Thailand guide has more.

For parents

Older travellers should pack medicines with prescriptions, comfortable walking shoes with grip, a light cardigan for air-conditioned malls and buses, and a small folding umbrella for sun and rain.

Entry requirements

Before you fly, check the current entry requirements for Indian passport holders on the Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi page and the Thai e-Visa site, and complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card on the official Thailand Digital Arrival Card site. Rules change, so confirm them close to your travel date.

Next steps

Read our Thailand entry checklist and best time to visit Thailand guide, or see our Bangkok page.

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Your questions, answered

What should I wear to temples in Thailand?

Cover shoulders and knees. Men and women should avoid shorts, sleeveless tops and see-through clothing. Carry a light scarf or sarong, and wear shoes that are easy to remove.

Do I need a plug adaptor in Thailand?

Thailand uses 220-volt power with several socket types, and many accept two-pin plugs similar to Indian ones. A universal adaptor is the safest choice.

Can I carry medicines to Thailand?

Carry personal medicines in their original packaging with a doctor's prescription. Some medicines are controlled in Thailand, so check the Thai Food and Drug Administration guidance if you take strong painkillers, sedatives or other controlled drugs.

What should I not carry to Thailand?

Do not carry e-cigarettes or vaping devices, which are banned in Thailand, or large quantities of any medicine without prescriptions. Leave valuables you do not need at home.