Items to pack for long term travellers;
- Heavy duty needle and strong (waterproof) thread..dental floss will do in a pinch
- Toothbrush (toothbrushes in SE Asia are rubbish)
- Camera (not cheap in Thailand compared to UK,Aus.,US etc)
- Travel insurance as the risks here are high
- F*@k the Lonely Planet guide etc. Download maps, read stuff online etc.
- First aid kit & guide
- A torch, battery-less are awesome
- Swiss Army/Leatherman type utility knife
- Strong tape- to repair and patch or seal up a plastic bag with passport
Items for short term travellers;
- Money
- Sense of adventure & Humor
- Some loose fitting cotton clothes at least a shirt
- F*@K all else really, it can all be bought here
- Travel insurance
Unless you know Thailand really well, sort out your accomodation before you get here, at least 2 nights. Banglamphu in particular can get really busy and it's just not fun to walk around in the hot sun or rain or even just in the throng of drunken people when you just want to put your bags dowm and get amongst it all. If your using Thailand as a base for a longer term travel, get an apartment, just a chaep one you'll find them for 4,000-8,000 THB (budget minded travlellers) compared to 600-1,500 THB a night in a decent room in Bangkok you'll save a load.
General Tips
- Scan your passport and store it in your email.
- Book online for deals at mid to high level accommodation (bargaining good prices is a thing of the past)
- Keep a plastic bag handy during rainy season-waterproofing is a must when it pours
- Learn about basic medicines & first aid and make your own kit
- Stay hydrated-coconut juice is great. Electrolytes bought at every chemist
- Get a spare bank card and 2 different account
- Keep a few visa photos in your pack
- Photo copy/scan everything
- Tissue paper-In Asia you normally find this on the table and rarely in the toilet when you need it
Staying on top
- Don't accept offers to take you places to buy stuff. Undoubtedly your "friend" is getting commission and you are being ripped off.
- Don't take a taxi that's waiting in a tourist hotspot e.g. end of Khao Sarn road, they typically are the worst sort of people. Walk away from the area a hundred metres or so and flag down a taxi/cab.
- Signal a taxi/cab by patting the air. Palm down, hand about hip height......watch the locals this is how it's done in Asia. Typical Western gesticulations have sexual connotations here.
What will you leave behind you?
On your trip you will take photo's, souvenirs, memories, anecdotes and the list goes on. But what do travellers leave behind?
