Planning & Packing

🗺️ TRIP PLANNING CHECKLIST

3-6 Months Before Trip

☐ Choose your itinerary
☐ Calculate budget
☐ Book international flights
☐ Book first hotel
☐ Get travel insurance
☐ Apply for visa (if needed - check current requirements)
☐ Get vaccinations (if recommended)
☐ Notify banks of travel dates ☐ Request time off work

1-2 Months Before

☐ Book domestic flights
☐ Book remaining hotels
☐ Book popular tours/activities
☐ Research restaurants (add to list)
☐ Download AI tools
☐ Start learning basic Thai phrases
☐ Buy any needed gear (backpack, clothes)
☐ Check passport expiry (needs 6+ months validity)

2-4 Weeks Before

☐ Confirm all bookings
☐ Check weather forecast
☐ Create packing list
☐ Download offline maps
☐ Download translation app
☐ Set up travel apps (Grab, Bolt, Wise)
☐ Print/save important documents
☐ Tell family/friends your itinerary
☐ Set up international phone plan or buy eSIM

1 Week Before

☐ Pack (use checklist above)
☐ Weigh luggage (check airline limits)
☐ Exchange small amount of cash ($100-200)
☐ Charge all electronics
☐ Download entertainment for flight
☐ Set apartment/house preparations (if applicable)
☐ Double-check passport, tickets, insurance
☐ Screenshot important info (hotel addresses, confirmation numbers)
☐ Put hold on mail
☐ Clean out fridge

Day Before Travel

☐ Final packing check
☐ Charge power bank
☐ Print boarding passes (or have digital)
☐ Check flight status
☐ Set alarm for airport
☐ Put passport/wallet/phone in easy-access spot
☐ Prepare airport outfit (comfortable!)
☐ Get good sleep

Day of Travel

☐ Passport ✓
☐ Phone ✓
☐ Wallet ✓
☐ Boarding pass ✓
☐ Power bank in carry-on ✓
☐ Important meds in carry-on ✓
☐ Arrive 3 hours early (international flight)

Upon Arrival in Bangkok

☐ Pass immigration (have return ticket ready to show)
☐ Get Thai SIM card (or activate eSIM)
☐ Exchange money or use ATM
☐ Download Bolt/Grab ☐ Get transport to hotel
☐ Check into hotel
☐ Rest (you're jet lagged!)
☐ Find nearest 7-Eleven
☐ Have first Thai meal
☐ Set alarm for tomorrow

• 📅 BOOKING TIMELINE
  • ✈️ BOOK NOW (3-6 months before trip)
    High Priority - Do These First:
    ☐ International Flights
    ☐ First Night Hotel in Bangkok
    • Why now: Prices increase closer to dates
    • Where: Google Flights, Skyscanner, direct airline sites
    • Expected cost: $800-1,500 from USA/Europe
    • 🎥 VIDEO: How to find cheap flights
  • Why now: Peace of mind upon arrival
  • Where: Agoda.com
  • Recommended area: Asok/Sukhumvit (BTS+MRT), Si Lom/Sala Daeng (BTS+MRT)
  • ☐ Travel Insurance
• Why now: Coverage starts from booking date
• Cost: ~$50-100 for 2 weeks
• 🎫 BOOK 1-2 MONTHS BEFORE
  Medium Priority:
  ☐ Domestic Flights (Bangkok ↔ Phuket/Chiang Mai)
  • Airlines: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia
  • Cost: $40-120 one-way
  • Book: Direct on airline websites
• ☐ Popular Tours That Sell Out
  • Phi Phi Islands tour (if visiting Phuket/Krabi)
  • Ethical elephant sanctuaries
  • James Bond Island tours
• ☐ Remaining Hotels
• All other cities on your itinerary
• Check cancellation policies
• ☐ Special Activities
• Cooking classes
• Muay Thai training (multi-day)
• Scuba diving certifications
• Tattoo Sessions
• 📱 BOOK 2-4 WEEKS BEFORE
  Lower Priority:
  ☐ Day Tours & Activities
  • City tours
  • Food tours
  • Temple tours
  • Boat tours
• ☐ Restaurant Reservations (if fancy)
  • Rooftop bars (may require reservation)
  • High-end restaurants
  • Most Thai restaurants don't need reservations
  • But some do: I use Chope to quickly secure spots in the best restaurants.
• ☐ Transportation Between Cities
  • Trains (Bangkok → Chiang Mai)
  • Buses
  • Ferries (to islands)
  • Book on: 12Go Asia
• 🏃 BOOK 1 WEEK BEFORE OR ON ARRIVAL
  Do These There:
  ☐ Massages & Spas
  • Walk-ins welcome everywhere
  • Book 1 day ahead at most
  • Cost: ฿200-500 ($6-15)
• ☐ Local Activities
  • Street food tours
  • Market visits
  • Beach activities
  • Casual restaurants
• ☐ Last-Minute Tours
  • Check weather first
  • Often cheaper when booked locally
  • Use your hotel concierge

🎒 MANUAL PACKING LIST

• Essentials 💼
  ☐ Passport (physical + digital copy)
  ☐ Visa (if required - check current requirements)
  ☐ ID / Driver's license
  ☐ Home keys
  ☐ Credit cards (2+, notify banks of travel)
  ☐ Debit card
  ☐ Cash ($200-5000 USD to exchange on arrival)
  ☐ eSIM
  ☐ Sun glasses
• Documents 📄
  ☐ Travel insurance documents (print + digital)
  ☐ Hotel booking confirmations (first night is crucial)
  ☐ Flight confirmations
  ☐ Vaccination records (if applicable)
  ☐ Emergency contact list
• Electronics 🔌
  ☐ Phone & charger
  ☐ Power bank (essential, must be in carry-on)
  ☐ Universal adapter (different voltage)
  ☐ Headphones
  ☐ Camera (optional, phone works great)
  ☐ E-reader / Tablet (for flights)
  ☐ Laptop (if working)
  ☐ All charging cables
• Clothing 👕
  ☐ T-shirts (3)
  ☐ Good shirts (3)
  ☐ Shorts (3 pairs with zippered pockets)
  ☐ Lightweight pants (1 pair) - for temples
  ☐ Swimwear (2 - one to wear, one drying)
  ☐ Underwear (3 pairs)
  ☐ Socks (3 pairs, quick-dry)
  ☐ Bra / Sports bra (women: 2-3)
  ☐ Light jacket / Cardigan (for AC, planes)
  ☐ One "nice" outfit (rooftop bars, nice dinners)
• Temple-Appropriate Clothes:
  ☐ Shirt that covers shoulders (1)
  ☐ Pants/skirt that covers knees (1)
• Note: Can buy cheap clothing there (฿100-200)
• Shoes:
  ☐ Walking shoes / Sneakers (1 pair, comfortable!)
  ☐ Sandals / Flip-flops (1 pair, for beach + casual)
  ☐ Optional: Nicer shoes for evenings
• ⚠️ DON'T bring more than 2 pairs - waste of space
• Toiletries 🚿
  ☐ Contact lenses + solution (if applicable)
  ☐ Glasses (if applicable)
  ☐ Feminine hygiene (available in Thailand but they don’t use tampons, for example)
  ☐ Lip balm with SPF
  ☐ Hair ties / Bobby pins
• ⚠️ TIM'S TIP: Buy most toiletries in Thailand (cheaper, save luggage space)
• Optional Toiletries:
  • Body wash (hotels provide)
  • Shaving cream
  • Makeup (bring essentials, buy if needed)
  • Hair products
• Medical Kit 💊
  ☐ Prescription medications (bring FULL supply + photo)
  ⚠️ Note: You can buy most medicines at Thai pharmacies without a prescription.
• Beach & Activities 🏖️
  ☐ Hat / Cap
  ☐ Action camera (optional)
• Miscellaneous
  ☐ Small backpack / Day bag
  ☐ Eye mask (for sleeping)

🛍️ WHAT TO BUY IN THAILAND (Don't Pack)

✅ Sunscreen - ฿150 for big bottle (vs $15-20 at home)
✅ Insect repellent - ฿80-120
✅ Aloe vera gel - ฿50 (for sunburn)
✅ Toiletries - Shampoo, conditioner, body wash
✅ Beach clothes - Tank tops, shorts super cheap
✅ Flip-flops - ฿100-200 everywhere
✅ Rain poncho - ฿40 at 7-Eleven
✅ Snacks & drinks - 7-Eleven has everything

❌ WHAT NOT TO BRING

❌ Jeans - Too hot, take forever to dry
❌ Vape - 5 years in prison
❌ Heavy jackets - Won't need (except airplane)
❌ More than 2 pairs of shoes - Waste of space
❌ Full-size toiletries - Buy at 7-Eleven
❌ Hair dryer - Hotels have them
❌ Beach towels - Hotels provide
❌ Valuables / Expensive jewelry - Risk of loss
❌ Books - Heavy, use e-reader
❌ Too many clothes - You'll re-wear them, and laundry is cheap (฿30-100/kg)
❌ Laptop (unless working) - Just use phone

🏥 HEALTH & SAFETY PREP

☐ Check Vaccination Requirements

• Required: None currently
• Recommended: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Routine boosters
• [Consult your doctor]

☐ Get Travel Insurance

• Must cover: Medical, evacuation, trip cancellation
• Recommended: SafetyWing, World Nomads
• [Compare insurance plans]

☐ Prescriptions

• Bring full supply + extra week
• Keep in original containers
• Bring copy of prescriptions

☐ Medical Prep

• See dentist (before trip)
• Fill any prescriptions
• Get routine check-up if concerned

P.S. How I can help you:
- Access my ready-to-book Thailand itineraries and maps.
- Generate your dream Thailand trip with my custom itinerary builder.
- Book a call with me before your first trip to in Thailand.