Congratulations! You are about to begin your journey to Asia, to the beautiful country of Thailand. But wait! What are you going to pack?!
Important Items to Remember:
Work Clothes:
Men
Women
***Please Note***
Casual Clothes:
Men
Women
Sizes in Thailand: The sizes in Thailand run very small. Westerners often have difficultly finding size XL and above. These larger sizes can be especially challenging to find in small towns, but are more present in big shopping malls in cities at a higher cost (H&M, Forever 21, Zara, TESCO - the Thai version of Walmart). Large shoe sizes (Women size US 8/EUR 38, and Men size US 9/EUR 42 and above) can also be difficult to find for cheap.
Other apparel to remember while teaching English in Thailand: Sandals, casual shoes, sweatshirt (bus rides can get a bit chilly!), hat, rain jacket, sunglasses, etc.
Toiletries Needs: Larger cities and towns in Thailand will have most toiletries that you will need. A few things that can be hard to find in Thailand include:
(If you are picky, bring extra toiletries as reliable name brands can be difficult to find and/or more expensive)
Electronics: North America uses 110 volt outlets while Thailand uses 220 volt outlets. Bring a converter/adapter so your electronics don’t get fried. The plug in style is the same type you would bring to Europe and normally North America.
Gifts for the School: When teaching English in Thailand, bringing a small gift from your home country for your school makes a great first impression and starts the conversation about different cultures. Some nice gift ideas include:
Optional (but a good idea):
Avoid over packing: While Thailand is still a developing country, you should be able to find most items or extra clothing in major cities. It is much easier and less stressful to travel with a manageable amount of luggage through the airports and taxis. Our advice – don’t over pack! You are heading out to teach English abroad. That means you'll be getting a paycheck. As your wardrobe changes, you'll be able to afford a few new things.
Thanks to GeoVisions participant Ethan Parrish for sharing these amazing photos of Thailand. You can see more of his work on his website.