What to Pack for Thailand: A Practical List for Indian Travellers

Pack light, breathable clothes, one modest outfit for temples, your passport and TDAC confirmation, a universal adapter, and a small medicine kit. Thailand is warm and humid all year, tourist areas sell almost everything you might forget, and most of what you need fits in a cabin bag. Here is exactly what to put in your suitcase before you fly from India.

Clothes for the heat and the temples

Thailand is hot and humid, so cotton, linen and quick-dry fabrics are your friends. Pack t-shirts, shorts, loose trousers, sundresses and comfortable sandals or walking shoes. Carry a light layer for air-conditioned malls, buses and flights, where the cooling can feel very strong when you step in from the heat outside.

Temples and some royal sites have a dress code. You will be expected to cover your shoulders and knees, and you must remove your shoes before entering. Carry one modest outfit you can slip on quickly: a long skirt or loose trousers, and a top with sleeves or a scarf to cover your shoulders. Thai temples are open to everyone, but respectful dress keeps entry smooth and avoids awkward moments at the gate.

• Cotton t-shirts and tops
• Shorts and one pair of loose trousers
• One long skirt or long trousers for temples
• A scarf or shawl to cover shoulders
• Comfortable sandals and one pair of walking shoes
• A light jumper or jacket for air-conditioning
• Swimwear for beaches and hotel pools
• A hat and sunglasses

Documents to carry

Indian passport holders can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, as verified on 9 Oct 2026. Even so, keep your documents organised and easy to reach at immigration.

Every traveller must also file the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arriving, at no charge, within 3 days before you land. Do this at home and keep a screenshot or printed copy, as airport Wi-Fi can be slow and crowded when you arrive.

• Passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date
• Printed or digital copy of your TDAC confirmation
• Hotel booking confirmations
• Return or onward flight ticket
• Travel insurance policy document
• A few passport-size photos and a photocopy of your passport, kept separately

Adapters, chargers and electronics

Thailand's electrical sockets accept flat two-pin and round two-pin plugs, but the exact type varies from hotel to hotel, so a universal adapter removes the guesswork. Bring a power bank for long days on island boats and temple visits, and keep your phone charged since you will use maps and ride-hailing apps often.

• Universal travel adapter
• Phone charger and cable
• Power bank
• Camera and charger if you use one
• Downloaded offline maps and hotel addresses
• Copies of documents saved on your phone and in cloud storage

Medicines and a small first-aid kit

Pharmacies in Thailand are well stocked and easy to find in cities, but carry the medicines you use daily, as the exact brand may not be available. Keep all prescribed medicines in their original packaging and carry a doctor's note if you can, which helps when you pass through security checks.

• Prescribed medicines in original packaging
• Basic pain relief and fever medicine
• Medicine for upset stomach and motion sickness
• ORs sachets for rehydration
• Antiseptic cream and plasters
• Sunscreen with good SPF
• Mosquito repellent
• Hand sanitiser

What is easier to buy in Thailand

Do not overload your bag with heavy items you can pick up cheaply after you land. Thailand's convenience stores and markets sell most everyday things, often at lower prices than in India. Buying there also means fewer liquids to squeeze past airport security.

• Toiletries like shampoo, soap, toothpaste and sunscreen
• Beachwear, flip-flops and sarongs
• Rain ponchos in the wetter months
• Light snacks and bottled water
• Souvenirs and local clothing

A sensible packing approach

Aim for a cabin bag plus a small daypack, so you avoid waiting at luggage belts and can move easily between Phuket, Krabi and island boats. Wash-and-wear clothes mean you can pack for five days and still manage a longer trip, since most items dry quickly in the warm air. Leave room for the things you will buy there, and keep your documents and medicines in your hand luggage, never in checked bags.

Think of packing as three layers: the clothes you wear every day, the temple outfit you carry just in case, and the documents and medicines that are hard to replace. Get those three right and you can work out anything else after you arrive.

A trip of 4 nights with 2 nights in Phuket and 2 nights in Krabi, including a Phi Phi Islands speedboat trip with lunch, a Krabi 4 Islands speedboat trip with lunch and a Phuket city tour, is priced at ₹28,199 per person, twin sharing, international flights not included for 4 nights, priced on 8 Oct 2026, valid through 7 Nov 2026. Pack the list above, sort your documents before you leave, and you can spend your time enjoying Thailand rather than hunting for something you forgot.

One last tip: do a trial pack a day or two before you fly. Lay everything out, remove anything you have not actually used on your last few trips, and check that your passport and TDAC confirmation are in your hand luggage. A lighter bag means a calmer start to your holiday.