Packing for Thailand is mostly about light clothes and sun protection, but several rules changed in 2025 and 2026, and some of them decide what goes in your bag. This checklist covers entry rules, documents, clothes, medicines, electronics and what to leave at home.
Third-party prices and rules below were checked in September 2026. Confirm them with the airline, operator or official website before you travel.
Before You Pack: Entry Rules for 2026
- Length of stay. From 15 September 2026, nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days. This replaced the 60-day exemption for 93 countries that had applied since 15 July 2024. Other nationalities have different rules, so check the entry conditions for your own passport before you book flights.
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Since 1 May 2025, every non-Thai national entering by air, land or sea must fill in the TDAC online within the 3 days (72 hours) before arrival. It replaced the paper TM6 form, and it is not a visa. The only official site is tdac.immigration.go.th, and it charges no fee. Immigration has warned about fake sites that ask for money.
- Proof of funds. Visitors must be able to show funds in Thai baht, another currency or payment documents. As of September 2026, TAT guidance (as reported in July 2026) gives 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family for a visa on arrival and certain visa-exempt entries, and 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family for a tourist visa. Children under 12 are exempt. Check the amount for your entry type with the Thai embassy or consulate. Most arrivals are not asked, but keep cash or a recent bank statement in your hand luggage, not in a checked bag.
- Passport validity. Check your passport's validity rules with your airline or embassy.
Documents and Money
Keep everything in this list in your hand luggage.
- Passport.
- A photocopy or phone photo of your passport's photo page. If police ask to see your passport and it is not with you, you may have to show it at a police station within 24 hours; a copy of the photo page is usually accepted.
- The TDAC confirmation or QR code, saved on your phone.
- Your first hotel's name and address. The TDAC asks for your accommodation in Thailand, so have it ready before you fill in the form.
- Flight, hotel and transfer confirmations, saved offline on your phone.
- Travel insurance documents.
- Cash in Thai baht for the first day, and a bank card.
In Bangkok, a contactless Visa or Mastercard works at the gates of the Airport Rail Link and the MRT, but not on the BTS Skytrain, which needs a Rabbit card or a single-journey ticket.
If you book an airport transfer with Smile Taxi Service, you pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. There is no online payment and no deposit. If you can only pay by card, for example because you have not changed money yet, message the team and they will send a PayPal payment link, with a 5% fee added.
Clothing for Heat, Rain and Temples
Pack fewer clothes than you think, in light fabrics that dry quickly.
- Light, breathable T-shirts and tops.
- Shorts, plus at least two pairs of long, light trousers or long skirts.
- One long-sleeved shirt or light cardigan for air-conditioned buses, malls and planes.
- Swimwear.
- A light rain jacket or poncho, and a small umbrella.
- A scarf or sarong, which can cover your shoulders when needed.
Temples. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok have a strict dress code, and staff may refuse entry to visitors who do not follow it. Pack at least one modest outfit with long trousers or a long skirt and a top with sleeves, and check the dress code of each temple you plan to visit.
Footwear. Bring comfortable sandals that are easy to slip on and off, and one pair of light walking shoes or trainers. Two or three pairs in total are enough for most trips.
Day bag. A small day bag, a refillable water bottle and a cloth shopping bag help you refuse plastic bottles, straws and bags.
Toiletries, Medicines and Health
Everyday toiletries are easy to buy in Thailand, so a travel-size supply is enough. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent if you prefer a particular brand.
Prescription medicines: check the Thai FDA rules
The rules depend on what your medicine contains:
| Medicine type | Supply | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Psychotropic (Thai Schedules II–IV) | Up to 30 days | A medical certificate or prescription from your doctor; no permit |
| Psychotropic (Thai Schedules II–IV) | 31–90 days | A Thai FDA permit, applied for at least 15 days before arrival |
| Narcotic (Thai Schedules II–III) | Up to 90 days | A Thai FDA permit, applied for at least 15 days before travel, plus the certificate or prescription |
Processing of a permit for psychotropic medicines takes about 3 working days. Permits for narcotic medicines are applied for at permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th. Keep all medicines in their original packs with the prescription, in your hand luggage.
A small health kit
- Painkillers you already use.
- Oral rehydration salts and medicine for an upset stomach.
- Plasters and antiseptic.
- Hand sanitiser.
- Motion sickness tablets if you plan boat trips.
Save these numbers in your phone before you land: 1155 for the Tourist Police (their official app is called "Tourist Police i lert u"), 1669 for a medical emergency (ambulance) and 191 for the police or a general emergency.
Electronics: Plugs, Power Banks and Phone Data
Plugs. Thailand's official plug types are C (two round pins) and O (three round pins), and most sockets also take A and B plugs (US flat pins). Power is 230 V, 50 Hz. Two-pin European and US plugs usually fit, so an adapter is mainly needed for UK or Australian plugs.
Power banks. Under Thai aviation rules from June 2026 (CAAT Regulation No. 122), for flights in Thailand:
- Up to 100 Wh (about 20,000 mAh) is allowed. From 100 to 160 Wh needs the airline's approval. Over 160 Wh is banned.
- Each passenger may carry a maximum of 2 power banks.
- A power bank without a readable Wh rating is banned.
- Power banks go in hand luggage only, never in a checked bag, and not in the overhead bin. Keep them in the seat pocket, under the seat or on you.
- You may not use or charge them during the flight.
Phone data. Buying a Thai SIM needs your passport, and registration with a photo check takes about 10–30 minutes. AIS tourist packages run from about 49 THB to about 899 THB, and TrueMove H or dtac (the same company) unlimited-data tourist SIMs from about 449 THB to about 1,199 THB. An eSIM set up before departure usually costs more. Smile Taxi Service gives a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM with an airport pickup if you ask when you book.
What to Leave at Home
- Vapes and e-cigarettes. Vapes, e-cigarettes, pods, e-liquids and heat-not-burn devices are illegal to possess or use in Thailand. The device can be confiscated, fines are typically 5,000–30,000 THB, and offenders can be detained and taken to court.
- Cannabis. Since 2025 it is legal only for medical use with a Thai-issued prescription, for a maximum 30-day supply. Recreational use is prohibited, and taking cannabis out of Thailand can bring a fine from 30,000 THB per kg, or detention.
- Expensive jewellery and other valuables you do not need on the trip.
- Full-size toiletries and extra clothes. Both are easy to buy locally.
Luggage Limits and Getting from the Airport
On AirAsia, the cabin allowance is one bag of up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm plus one personal item of up to 40 x 30 x 10 cm, with a combined weight of 7 kg. Checked baggage is bought separately, so add it when you buy the ticket.
If you book an airport transfer, choose the vehicle by the number of passengers and bags. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person), one way, with expressway tolls included:
| Vehicle | Passengers / bags | Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok | Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | 3 / 2 | 600 THB | 1,200 THB |
| SUV | 5 / 4 | 800 THB | 1,500 THB |
| Van | 7 / 5 | 1,100 THB | 1,800 THB |
Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time. At Suvarnabhumi the driver meets you on Level 4 (Departures), near Gate 4; message the team on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags. A child seat or a name sign costs an extra 100 THB each, on request. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details). Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok, book a van from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya, or see all routes and fares.
For the flight home, Suvarnabhumi advises arriving at least 2 hours before departure.
Final Check on the Day You Fly
- TDAC done and saved on your phone.
- Passport, cash and proof of funds in your hand luggage.
- Medicines in original packs, with the prescription and any FDA permit.
- Power bank rated 100 Wh or less, in your hand luggage.
- No vape anywhere in your bags.
- Cabin bags weighed against your airline's limit.
- Hotel address and emergency numbers saved offline.
FAQ
Can I bring my vape to Thailand? No. Vapes are illegal to bring or use, and fines are typically 5,000–30,000 THB.
Can I pack a power bank in my checked bag? No. Power banks travel in hand luggage only, up to 100 Wh without approval, and you may not use them on Thai flights.
Do I need a permit for my prescription medicine? Up to 30 days of psychotropic medicine needs only a prescription or medical certificate. More than that, or any narcotic medicine, needs a Thai FDA permit applied for at least 15 days ahead.
Which plug adapter do I need? Most sockets take plug types A, B, C and O, so two-pin European and US plugs usually fit. Bring an adapter for UK or Australian plugs.
Is the arrival card free? Yes. The TDAC on tdac.immigration.go.th costs nothing. Fill it in within 3 days before arrival.
Once your bag is packed, book your airport transfer or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.