r/ThailandTourism • u/Efficient-Analyst-53 • 10h ago
Other Advice
I’m going to be traveling for around two weeks beginning of November. A couple of questions that I’d like some advice on.
My boyfriend thinks we should bring two check bags and two carry ons that I thought was a lot to bring. He says we’d be shopping and bringing things back and can keep them in lockers while we visit other cities. What’s someone take on that?
Chiang Mai - we are debating monks trail and sticky water or do inthanon and someone can sway me.
In terms of packing. I was planning to bring exactly 7 outfits and get laundry done there. Is that too little and does anyone have experience with how accessible laundry is? I also imagine I’ll be sweating a lot and probably need more clothes.
Lastly any massage recommendations?
3
u/KoreanB_B_Q 9h ago
Thailand has lots of places to get laundry done cheap and it has lots of shops that sell cheap bags, luggage, etc. Just go and buy a cheap collapsible duffle bag or similar if you end up buying more stuff than you can bring back. Or just bring one from home and have it stuffed in your suitcase for when you need it.
3
u/jbaker8484 9h ago
You could literally just travel with a tiny backpack for months. Phone, wallet, passport, tooth brush, a couple extra t-shirts and underwear. Literally all you need. But this isn't about need, it's about what you want to bring which we can't determine. But yes, having to do laundry every other day is pretty annoying. I plan on bringing more t-shirts and underwear next time for this reason but since I don't care about fashion, I'm not bringing "outfits". You absolutely do not need to check a bag unless you are some kind of fashion diva who needs multiple shoes and multiple outfits for different occasions.
2
u/Hairyheadtraveller 9h ago
Take as few items of luggage as you can get away with. If you have too many you start to hate travelling. I'm 63 male and would aim to get away with a 35l back pack and a bum bag ( fanny pack).
2
u/Otherwise-Cut3056 8h ago
We brought a ton of stuff on our first trip as well and it was a huge mistake. I went from two suitcases stuffed with clothing to a med sized backpack with 4 shirts, 4 shorts, 1 long sleeve shirt for a 1 month holiday. I buy a backpack when I am there to stuff with anything that I bought.
1
u/Even-Tension-5490 9h ago
We went for two weeks with each having a backpack. Did laundry there and bought a bag to bring back the things we bought. We are going again next month and will just bring the backpacks again.
1
u/kulukster 9h ago
7 outfits for 2 weeks is too much. Bring mix and match and rinse out in the hotel and or do laundry. Many places are by the kilo and are about the price of a coffee. You don't want to drag too much luggage around. You'll also probably buy a lot of clothing that you will wear on your trip so don't over pack.
1
u/ROCK-tavius 9h ago
This is gonna be a great opportunity for "I told you so!" when you get to Thailand.
Supper over packing.
1
u/dswpro 9h ago
For two weeks here is what I pack: three pairs of shorts and one bathing suit, sandals that have a strap behind my heel like Keen Newport H2 or Crocs which also works well if you are walking on the beach and go into the water to board a boat or splash around. (flip flops fall off too easily walking down the street if you step in a puddle or pot hole ). I pack a couple oversized white cotton t-shirts, a couple of breathable darker loose fitting short sleeve shirts a few more pair of thin socks and five pairs of buck naked boxer briefs from Duluth Trading. Cotton underwear simply sucks in the heat.
You are gonna sweat every day, walk way more than you might at home and may get rained on which will feel refreshing honestly. Linen shirts are nice but they wrinkle and never look right on me. Clothes are relatively cheap in Thailand so I usually pickup a few shirts there as well, but keep in mind if you are a 2X in the States you are a 5x at least in Thailand . You don't want anything that hugs your skin too tightly as it will get soaked with sweat. No jeans.
All this in one roll around bag which I used to be able to carry in board but these days I am forced to check it.
In my small carry - on I bring my laptop, one change of underwear, shirt, socks and shorts I wear the only collared shirt I bring and loose fitting sweat pants and a nylon jacket since the flight is cold. Many people stay two weeks with one backpack with ease. Laundry places are everywhere and cheap. Buy sunscreen, deoderant shampoo at a 7-11 after you land, they are also everywhere. Oh most hotels have hand and bath towels but no wash cloths so I bring a half dozen with me and use one per hotel then throw them out when I leave that hotel.
1
u/Affectionate-Dust119 9h ago
Even if you are planning to make a whole movie, you only carry what you can fit in your conveyance. If you guys and happily roll all that luggage around the town and always get a van, all the power to you. My mom gave up packing 3 pairs of shoes after I asked her to walk around the block with her packed bags - you guys really should try that. 2 of us, 2 checked bags and two backpacks barely fit in a normal Grab taxi - FYI.
1
u/runner123456789 5h ago
Ive been here 9 months with a backpack. Anything you need you can buy cheap
1
u/ciggie__stardust 2h ago
I just went to the sticky waterfall - Honestly you could probably skip it.. It's a sticky waterfall filled with tourists. It's almost impossible to enjoy. I know it's ironic saying that seeing as I am also a tourist but there's plenty of other waterfalls to see.
Also, skip anything with the "long neck people" or the Karen's. The experience was a little bit disturbing - it felt a bit like a human zoo disgusied as a humanitarian project.
As for clothing - plenty of places to do washing. Pack light. You'll find yourself wearing the same thing over and over again. It's stiiiiinking hot so I like to have plenty of underwear as it can get very sweaty during the day.
Nearly every massage place is top notch. The old city isn't in short supply of good massages. It depends on the atmosphere you are looking for - some are highend and are modern spa style shops and some are more classic with a bunch of thai ladies.. You pay for the venue basically. I got an amazing 1 hour foot massage for 150 baht in a carpark on a plastic chair.
1
u/TDYDave2 41m ago
Unless you want to pay for rush service and/or do laundry twice a week, take 10 outfits worth or half of your trip length plus two days.
That way you have something to wear while your clothes are at the laundry.
I have been known to pack a soft-side bag inside another bag so I don't have to check two bags.
5
u/BellaKKK72 9h ago
Laundry is incredibly accessible and cheap. I love getting laundry done in Thailand! Definitely do NOT take multiple checked bags - that’s ridiculous. Take 1 and if you end up doing a lot of shopping then get something there cheaply.