This FAQ covers what to pack for Thailand, what is illegal to bring, and how much luggage you can take on domestic flights and in a private transfer. The rules and limits below were checked in September 2026; confirm them with the official source or your airline before you fly.
Before you pack: entry documents for 2026
- Visa-free stay. Since 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. Other nationalities have different rules, so check yours in the Tourism Authority of Thailand announcement.
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Every non-Thai traveller arriving by air, land or sea must fill in the TDAC online within the 3 days before arrival. It is not a visa. The official site, tdac.immigration.go.th, charges no fee; ignore websites that ask for money. See the official TDAC manual.
- Passport validity. Check your passport's validity rules with your airline or embassy.
- Proof of funds. Officers can ask you to show funds in cash or payment documents. As of September 2026, the reported TAT amounts are 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family for visa on arrival and certain visa-exempt cases, and 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family with a tourist visa; children under 12 are exempt. Confirm the amount for your case 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.
Clothing for heat, rain and temples
Thailand is hot and humid for much of the year, so pack light clothes and plan to do laundry during the trip.
- Lightweight, breathable shirts and quick-dry shorts or skirts
- One or two pairs of light long trousers, or a long skirt
- A light rain jacket or poncho for sudden showers
- A thin sweater or long-sleeved layer for air-conditioned buses, trains, malls and planes
- Swimwear, a rash guard for sun protection, and a cover-up for the beach
For temples, pack at least one modest outfit. A light scarf or sarong for your shoulders, plus long trousers or a long skirt, works for most visits. The Grand Palace in Bangkok has a strict dress code and may refuse entry.
Footwear
You take your shoes off before entering temple buildings, so shoes that slip on and off easily save time.
| Type | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Walking shoes | Sightseeing, markets |
| Sandals with a back strap | Everyday wear |
| Flip-flops | Beach, hotel, showers |
| Water shoes | Boat trips, rocky beaches, snorkelling |
For trekking in the north, bring sturdy shoes that you have already worn on long walks.
Medicines and toiletries
Prescription medicines need the most planning. Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) has separate rules for two groups of personal medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which group your medicine belongs to.
- Psychotropic medicines (Thai Schedules II to IV): up to a 30-day supply needs no permit, only a medical certificate or prescription from your doctor. A supply of 31 to 90 days needs a Thai FDA permit, applied for at least 15 days before arrival.
- Narcotic medicines (Thai Schedules II and III): up to a 90-day supply is allowed, but only with a Thai FDA permit applied for at least 15 days before travel through permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th. Carry the permit together with your doctor's certificate or prescription.
Check your medicines against the Thai FDA guidance for travellers and keep them in their original packs, with the prescription, in your hand luggage.
Bring from home: your prescriptions, contact lenses and solution, a sunscreen brand you trust, insect repellent, and a small first-aid kit. Easy to buy in Thailand: shampoo, soap, basic toiletries and most everyday pharmacy items.
Electronics, plugs and power banks
- Plugs and voltage. Thailand's official plug types are C (two round pins) and O (three round pins), and most sockets also take A and B plugs (flat pins, as used in the United States). Mains power is 230 V, 50 Hz. A two-pin European or US plug usually fits without an adapter; bring one for UK or Australian plugs.
- Power banks. On flights in Thailand (CAAT Regulation No. 122, June 2026), power banks up to 100 Wh (about 20,000 mAh) are allowed. A power bank of 100 to 160 Wh needs the airline's approval before travel. Each passenger may carry no more than 2 power banks, and power banks without a readable Wh rating are banned. Carry them in hand luggage only, never in checked bags or the overhead bin (keep them in the seat pocket, under the seat or on you), and do not use or charge them during the flight.
What not to pack: items that are illegal in Thailand
- Vapes and e-cigarettes. Vapes, e-cigarettes, pods, e-liquids and heat-not-burn devices are illegal to possess or use in Thailand. Offences can bring confiscation, fines (typically 5,000 to 30,000 THB), detention and court proceedings.
- Cannabis. Since 2025, cannabis is legal only for medical use with a Thai-issued prescription, for a supply of up to 30 days. Recreational use is prohibited, and taking cannabis out of Thailand brings fines from 30,000 THB per kg, or detention.
- Smoking in public. Smoking in public places can bring a fine of up to 5,000 THB, according to UK government advice (September 2026).
Also leave at home valuable jewellery you do not need and more clothes than you can carry comfortably.
Choosing luggage and flying within Thailand
A rolling suitcase suits hotel stays and city trips; a backpack is easier on piers, on sand and on trips between islands.
If you fly AirAsia inside Thailand, the cabin allowance is 1 cabin bag (maximum 56 x 36 x 23 cm) plus 1 personal item (maximum 40 x 30 x 10 cm), with a limit of 7 kg for both together. A bag over the allowance must be checked in at the counter, or you pay a fee at the gate. Checked baggage is not included in the fare, so add it when you buy the ticket. Other airlines set their own limits.
A dry bag protects your phone and passport on boats, and a small padlock is useful for hostel lockers.
Luggage and your airport transfer: choosing the right car
Luggage also decides which car you need. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person), one way, with expressway tolls included, and they are the same for 1 passenger or a full car. Choose the vehicle by passengers and bags:
| Vehicle | Passengers | Bags | Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Pattaya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Toyota Camry or similar) | Up to 3 | 2 | 1,200 THB |
| SUV (Toyota Fortuner or similar) | Up to 5 | 4 | 1,500 THB |
| Van (Toyota Commuter or similar) | Up to 7 | 5 | 1,800 THB |
A family of four with four bags needs at least an SUV. From Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok the fares are 600 THB (sedan), 800 THB (SUV) and 1,100 THB (van).
- Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya, an SUV or a van
- Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok, an SUV or a van
- See all routes and fares
Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time. A child seat costs +100 THB and a name sign at the arrivals gate +100 THB, both on request, and you can ask for a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM with an airport pickup. You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip; if you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link, with a 5% fee added. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. For golf bags, surfboards or other large items, message the team on WhatsApp or LINE before booking. For other ways to travel, see How to Get from Bangkok to Pattaya.
Documents, money and safety numbers
Keep these in your hand luggage and in your day bag:
- Your passport, plus a photocopy or phone photo of the photo page. Police may ask to see your passport. If you do not have it with you, you can be asked to show it at a police station within 24 hours. A copy of the photo page is usually enough.
- Your TDAC confirmation or QR code, your first hotel's address (the TDAC asks for your accommodation), bookings and insurance documents, saved on your phone for offline use.
- A bank card and some Thai baht.
Save these numbers in your phone before you land: Tourist Police 1155 (official app: "Tourist Police i lert u"), medical emergency 1669 and police 191.
FAQ
How much cabin baggage can I take on AirAsia?
7 kg in total for one cabin bag (maximum 56 x 36 x 23 cm) and one personal item (maximum 40 x 30 x 10 cm).
Can I put a power bank in my checked bag?
No. On flights in Thailand, power banks go in hand luggage only, up to 100 Wh (about 20,000 mAh) without airline approval, and you may not use or charge them on board.
Can I bring my prescription medicine?
Yes. Up to a 30-day supply of psychotropic medicine needs only your doctor's prescription or certificate. A larger supply (up to 90 days), or any narcotic medicine, needs a Thai FDA permit applied for at least 15 days before travel.
Is cannabis legal in Thailand now?
Only for medical use with a Thai prescription, since 2025. Recreational use is prohibited, and vapes and e-cigarettes are illegal to bring or use.
If you already know your flight and how many bags you have, book your airport pickup on the Smile Taxi Service booking page or send your flight details on WhatsApp or LINE.