What to Pack for Backpacking Southeast Asia & Thailand | Packing List

Last Updated on January 18, 2025 by Christine Kaaloa

Recently, a reader asked for tips on packing light for summer travel. Since I’m heading to Vietnam and Thailand tomorrow, I thought it would also be the perfect time to share my travel tips for packing for Southeast Asia.

Packing for a Southeast Asia Climate

I’m going to generalize Southeast Asia into this post because the Same Same but Different motto of Southeast Asia is mostly true. Weather, Buddhist temples, night and floating markets, gorgeous scenery with occasional waterfalls, karst mountains, rural villages, bungalows, street food, you’ll experience many similarities. The cultures are different but etiquette is predominantly Buddhist, which means modest-style.

Southeast Asia’s climate is predominantly hot and humid, with rainy (or monsoon) seasons from October to December and, in some areas like Borneo, extending into February. While the heat is constant, air-conditioning in transportation can be surprisingly cold—Thailand’s buses and trains, for example, are notorious for cranking the A/C up high.

Tip: Layering is key. Bring a lightweight scarf or shawl to stay warm on transport and peel off when outside.

Packing for Southeast Asia Dress Etiquette

While casual attire is common across the board in Southeast Asia, all cultural norms lean toward modesty in women. Whether you are a foreign man or woman, please respect the modesty of Southeast Asians.

Women often wear shorts but cover their shoulders, while men typically avoid going shirtless in public.

For beach environments, Southeast Asian women still dress modestly. They may wear tshirts and shorts into the waters. Locals tolerate tourists in their bathing suits at the beach and swimming areas. Outside of that, show respect and put a shirt on it.

I’ve seen young travelers enter convenience stores bare-chested, even when there’s no beach around, due to the heat. You wouldn’t do that in New York city, Amsterdam, Berlin nor at your home convenience store during the sweltering summer. Why start in Southeast Asia where dress etiquette is even more modest? It pisses me off to see disrespectful tourists doing anything they want in these countries, because the locals are gracious, hospitable and polite; some tourists stink of white colonialism.

Temples & local homes: Southeast Asia is predominantly Buddhist. Temple etiquette requires removing footwear and covering your legs. Women should pack a below-the-knee skirt or dress for temple visits.

Tip: Opt for versatile clothing like travel dresses or skirts that can transition between casual sightseeing and temple-appropriate attire. It’s handy to have your pashmina and sarong in your purse.

Activities in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia offers a wealth of activities, from trekking, hiking, and scuba diving caving to exploring temples, waterfalls, and beaches. Your packing list should account for a mix of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.

Tip: Pack clothes that are moisture-wicking and quick-drying, ideal for sweaty hikes or unexpected rain showers.

I didn’t find violent crime an issue in Southeast Asia, but scams and petty crimes can be something to watch for. Vietnam was the trickiest country for me (read this post), due to petty theft, bag snatching and counterfeit companies.

Thailand is ace with taxi scams, Bangkokg ping pong scams and misdirection crimes, where strangers try to lure you away from your hotel or plans. Read my common scams post and street smart tips for solo travelers

Read Ways to Outsmart Pickpockets and Thieves for safety gear I like to pack.

Read my In-flight Travel Essentials

Sizing up my backpack

When packing for Southeast Asia for several months, I focus on balancing weather, culture, health, and comfort. I consider myself a medium packer, aiming for versatility in every item.

Although I took a backpacker’s pack at the time, I ultimately converted.  A wheeled backpack carry-on is my go-to for easy mobility even if I’m traveling for months. If I’m traveling by train or crowded bus, it’s easier if you have a small carry-on. Luggage needs to fit in train storage compartments under the train berth. I sleep with my luggage on my berth so that someone doesn’t accidentally walk off the train with it.  Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE and Hynes Eagle wheeled backpack carry-on are Swiss Army carry-on convertibles. Recommended read: here’s my wheeled backpack carry-on options

Check out my minimalist tips for packing for carry-on.

Read: How to Choose a Rolling Backpack Carryon

 Packing for Southeast Asia

Convertible Clothing

My mantra for packing is convertible, convertible, convertible. Every item I pack serves multiple purposes. For example, a lightweight sarong doubles as a beach cover-up, scarf, or makeshift towel. I pack my green pashmina on my travels. It comes in handy as an extra layer of warmth for an air-conditioned plane, train or bus. It’s also handy to have as a head cover for temples. Read 12 Must Have Multipurpose Travel Items

Packing Smart for Southeast Asia’s Climate

Will you be visiting a country with religious or conservative dress norms? Are you expecting variations in climate during your trip? Preparing for flexibility is key.

Southeast Asia is known for its tropical climate, often described as hot, hotter, and hottest—along with its rainy monsoon seasons. Humidity is a constant companion, so plan to sweat.

Opt for quick-drying, lightweight fabrics like microfiber, nylon, or spandex blends. These materials are breathable, help regulate body temperature, and dry quickly, even in high humidity. Avoid heavy or thick fabrics that take longer to dry and can trap odors. Wet clothes left in your backpack all day can turn into an unpleasant surprise, so choosing the right materials makes a big difference.

Pro tip: Pack versatile pieces that allow you to layer up for temples or cooler evenings while still keeping cool during the day. Pack clothes that are moisture-wicking and quick-drying, ideal for sweaty hikes or unexpected rain showers. .

Tops

• A couple of classy merino wool shirts. These are antimicrobial, heat regulating ethically sourced, light-weight merino wool shirts, so in hot environments, it’s actually airy and cooling.
•  1 light-weight button down long-sleeved shirt – For sun protection but also if I need to layer clothes.
• 1 light-weight jacket – for rain and cold trains and buses.

My Southeast Asia packing list is related to my Packing for India

Pants

• 1 skirt (knees length of longer in the case the countries I visit are conservative. Skirts are also perfect for squat toilets)
• 1 pair of  North Face Paramount convertible pants – converts quickly into shorts, knickers and pants and is great for rugged activity, such as treks and overnight bus trips of which you’ll find many
• 1-2 pair of quick dry leggings or yoga pants (keep in mind, dress is conservative, so I’d pair this with a long blouse to cover your bum)
• Not recommended: Jeans are my least favorite pant for Southeast Asia unless I’m visiting for business travel. The fabric is thick, will stick to your legs and you’ll only really use it for urban environments.  I like to buy the fisherman pants in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. They are cool, baggy and super comfy.

Bed wear, underwear & swim wear

It’s always safe to pack a swim suit for Southeast Asia as you can experience beaches to rivers and waterfalls. Southeast Asia is also known for inexpensive PADI diving certifications and snorkel activities.

• 1 tank top
• Pairs of microfiber antibacterial underwear – it’s humid in Southeast Asia. Things can take a little longer to dry sometimes.
• 1 pair light-weight yoga pants (* protection against mosquitoes at night & roll out of bed into day activities)
• 1 workout yoga swim bra (Also functions as an on-the-go activity bra)
• A large-brimmed safari hat for sun protection

Eco-Friendly Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must and is something that might cost more if you bought it in Southeast Asia, as products that have to do with “whitening” or protecting your whiteness, is priced at a premium. Sunscreen  (in Asia/Southeast Asia, starting at $8)

Cultural note: Sadly, even in Southeast Asia, lighter skin Southeast Asians are seen as higher class. It means they are not working labor jobs in fields or exposed to sun. Sun tanning is something you’ll mostly see foreigners do.

It’s essential to pack sunscreen, but due to how drastic and immediate the effects of global warming have gotten, I request travelers be more eco-aware and helpful by supporting eco-friendly sunscreen. Our choices affect the environments we travel to.

Read my Reef Safe Sunscreen guide to see which common types of sunscreen are banned in more and more countries due to the harm they cause.

Southeast Asia and Thailand have beaches and islands that tourists love to flock to. There’s also great hiking, waterfalls and ocean sports. I always pack a Sunscreen stick  in my daypack to take and reapply on the go.

Tip:  reapply your sunscreen every two hours.

• Kokua Sun Care Hawaiian SPF 50 Natural Zinc Sunscreen – Good quality. Goes on thick but not greasy.
• Raw Love SPF 35 All-natural Mineral Sunscreen (Maui)

• Raw Elements Tinted Facial Moisturizer 

• Manda Organic SPF 50 Sun Paste (for Sports)– uses Myanmar Thanaka for skin health and reusable container

Footwear

I highly recommend packing a good pair of flip flops or Jesus sandals. If you are staying in a Southeast Asian hostel, you’ll want flip flops to walk around in common areas and showers.

Temples in Southeast Asia will require you to remove footwear so footwear that’s easy to slip on and off is ideal. Running or hiking shoes are good for physical activities like trekking.

• 1 pair Havianas soft flip-flops  * casual walking, beaches, hotel showers
• 1 pair of comfortable activity shoes. Read my post on comfortable footwear for travel
•  2-3 pairs of Merino wool socks. Moisture wicking, antimicrobial, requires less washes. I like the Wander ankle high socks and Smart Wool socks for colder climates.

Toiletries

Packing toiletries for Southeast Asia requires smart planning, especially when traveling with carry-on luggage. Opt for TSA-compliant travel containers like these 2-ounce refillable bottles, which are perfect for essentials like shampoo or body wash. To save space and lighten your load, consider using up partially filled toiletries—like a half-used tube of toothpaste or old travel-sized hotel shampoo bottles—on your journey. Once you run out, you can easily restock in Southeast Asia, where toiletries are affordable and widely available. Thai 7-Elevens, for instance, are stocked with everything from travel-sized toiletries to over-the-counter medicines.

For drying off after a refreshing tropical rain or quick swim, a quick-drying travel towel like this Eagle Creek towel is a must. Pair it with a compact Korean hand scrubber for lightweight and effective cleaning.

A reusable fold-up bag is one of my favorite versatile travel essentials. Use it as a hanging toiletries bag, a carry-on tote, or even for shopping at local markets. Add an inexpensive carabiner or S-hook to hang your bag or wet clothes in bathrooms, keeping them dry and off damp surfaces.

These items not only save space but also add convenience and flexibility to your Southeast Asia adventures.

(Above) sample and trial sizes… and actual samples!

Feminine Toiletries

For those who haven’t had experience with the squat toilet or have bad knees, I recommend a female urinary device like the Freshette or the GoGirl. In India and Southeast Asia, you will have a run in with a squat toilet sooner or later. (For more on how to use it, read here).

Bring tampons and deodorant.

Tech gear & accessories

Tech gadgetry in a developing countries can range from medium to impossible to find. You can’t always trust the electronics you purchase there. It’s always best to prepare extra batteries.  Always take the charging/power cables you need. If doing a camping or trekking journey, never assume facilities will have electrical outlets. In some instances, they don’t.

I take a unlocked iPhone or GSM travel phone, camera, SD memory cards, day pack backpack and of course, backup batteries and charging cables. See my film/blogging gear here.

• International plug adapters
• Extra memory cards and spare batteries
• Chargers and charging cables
• A multi-plug power strip in the case you’re sharing outlets with other travelers or multiplug adapter

Updated packing list here.

Backpacking accessories 

• Silk liner  — it protects you from your bed & functions as a light sleeping bag/sheet
• 1 bottle of diluted solumel which you can also use as insect repellent (*read  ways to avoid bed bugs)
• Your travel medicine such as aspirin, anti-diarrheal pills, motion sickness pills, etc… & a small first aid kit

Useful Accessories

• 1 big pashmina scarf (* multi-use function:  face mask, shawl or headdress for conservative countries or religious temples, blanket and on some occasions, towel.)
• ziploc sandwich bags to put open snacks and food leftovers in. They’re also the poor man’s organizer. I can use it to hold money when I go to the beach (you can put it in your pocket when swimming), holding receipts, organizing currencies, etc… Read: How to Organize your Currencies
• Extra plastic ziploc storage (* for dirty clothes, protecting your stuff from rain or mud, organizing currency, etc…)
• Snacks & Vitamins: I always take power bars as snacks.  I’ll sometimes pack a bag of dried fruit and mixed nuts as a backup meal for times when I don’t feel comfortable with my food options.
• Pack of tissues or small roll of toilet paper  (* you’ll need them for public bathrooms & rest stops)
• Flush-friendly biodegradable baby wipes
• A pocket flashlight
• A waterproof backpack cover for rainy seasons.
• Optional: 1  lightweight rain jacket for cold nights or air-conditioned trains

Travel insurance

While Thailand is my home for dental and medical tourism, not everyone feels comfortable with finding their way through this if they’ve had an accident or caught a bout of dengue fever. I’ve used World Nomads Travel Insurance for any trip that’s over a month. You can get insurance for short trips too and it’s smart for international travel. It covers most everything and the types of at risk sport activities common to Southeast Asia, like trekking, caving and scuba diving, etc..

Travel documents & health

• Extra passport/visa photos (many backpackers to Southeast Asia like to travel more than one country and do overland crossing.)
• Malaria prevention is one travel shot you may want to ask your travel doctor about. Southeast Asia has had malaria outbreaks and mosquitoes can even be found in urban areas.

Read Ethical Tips for Responsible Travelers

Tips for shopping in Southeast Asia

You can buy a lot in Southeast Asia.

Thailand is best for shopping travelers as they have a lot mall shopping, pharmacies and 7 Elevens where you can get the basic necessities, like aspirins, dehydration salts and motion sickness pills. In beach towns, they’ll also sell beachwear and water accessories.

Backpacker areas generally have stores which sell travel products for tourists. While they may not always have recognizable name brands, they might have knock off versions.

I always assume I’ll pick up some of the country’s local garb to travel around in, because no one knows how to cope with the country climate better than the people who live there!

Shopping is a universal language in most parts of the world. Unless you’re traveling to a rural locale, you can buy most basic products in big cities. Alternately, a trip to the local store will prove an interesting and enlightening cultural trip!

When my backpack got lost on my way to Morocco, I bought throwaway clothes and underwear (which I eventually decided I wanted to keep as souvenirs), soap and sanitary pads from the a store near the railway station.  I came back with pretty funky souvenir experiences from that trip, like olive oil soap and a loofah from my hammam baths.

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