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What to Pack & Bring

What to Pack & Bring

Rayong Province, Thailand

Clothing for Ko Samet Climate

Focus on light, breathable fabrics for year-round comfort.

General & Dry/Cool Season

  • General (Year-round): Light, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking synthetics. These dry quickly.
  • Dry/Cool Season (Nov-Feb): Light Long-sleeved shirts or a Light jacket useful for cooler evenings or air-conditioned spaces. Mostly shorts, t-shirts, and Swimwear.
  • Cultural Dress Code: Casual attire is acceptable on beaches. For temples (e.g., mainland, Sunthorn Phu Memorial Park), shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women. Carry a Scarf or sarong. Remove footwear before entering temple buildings.

Season-Specific & Activity Attire

Pack clothes suitable for your planned activities.

Hot, Rainy & Activities

  • Hot Season (March-May): Very light, loose-fitting clothing. White or light-colored clothing reflects sunlight better.
  • Rainy Season (June-October): Quick-drying fabrics. A lightweight Rain jacket or Compact umbrella for sudden downpours.
  • Activity-Specific: Multiple Swimsuits. A Quick-dry towel. Beach cover-ups. Light, breathable activewear for national park walking/hiking. Smart casual for evening dining.

Footwear Recommendations

Flip-flops or Sandals

Ideal for everyday wear, beach strolls, and casual dining. You will likely wear these for most of your trip.

Everyday Comfort

Water Shoes or Aqua Socks

Suggested for swimming or walking on rocky beaches or areas with coral. Protection from sharp objects, sea urchins, or slippery surfaces, notably during snorkeling.

Water & Reef Protection

Comfortable Walking Shoes or Sneakers

For exploring the island on foot, hiking in the national park, or mainland excursions, comfortable walking shoes or sneakers are a good choice. These offer more support than sandals for longer walks on paved or uneven surfaces.

Exploration & Support

Essential Documents

Travel Papers

Keep your travel documents organized and accessible.

  • Passport: Carry your physical passport, valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from Thailand, with at least two blank pages.
  • Visa Documentation: Bring any visa documentation if your nationality needs a visa for entry (approval letters, confirmation numbers).
  • Copies: Prepare a photocopy or digital scan of your passport's main page and visa page. Store these securely online (cloud drive) and carry a separate physical copy apart from your original.
  • Travel Insurance Policy: Bring a printout and digital copy. Include emergency contacts, policy number, and coverage details.
  • International Driving Permit (IDP): Legally necessary if you plan to rent a scooter or car. Carry your valid national driving license alongside the IDP. Necessary for insurance validity and avoiding fines.
  • Vaccination and Health Records: Bring a copy of your vaccination record. For prescription medications, carry a doctor's letter or prescription. Keep medications in original, labeled containers.
  • Reservations and Bookings: Maintain both printed and digital copies of all reservations (flights, accommodation, ferry, bus, tours). Store digital copies on your phone, email, and cloud storage.
  • Emergency Contact Information: Create a list of emergency contacts (family/friends, local emergency numbers, embassy/consulate). Keep this list separate from your phone.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Power adapters and voltage compatibility are . Stay connected with local mobile service.

Voltage, Plugs & SIM

  • Power Adapters & Voltage: Thailand uses 220V, 50Hz. Plug types are A, B, C, and O (increasingly F). A Universal travel adapter is highly suggested. Most modern devices are dual voltage (100-240V).
  • Mobile Phone & SIM Card: Most unlocked smartphones are compatible. Local SIM cards are available at airports, convenience stores, and telecom shops. Providers include AIS, TrueMove H, DTAC. Tourist SIMs (e.g., 8-day or 15-day unlimited data) cost THB 200-500. Airalo offers eSIM options for compatible phones.
  • Consider VPN services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure browsing.

Capture & Power

Capture your memories and keep your devices powered throughout your trip.

Camera & Chargers

Data Backup & Security

Cloud Storage

Use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud for backing up photos and important documents while traveling. This provides secure offsite storage.

External Drives

An External hard drive or USB stick offers a redundant backup of photos if you carry a laptop, adding an extra layer of protection.

Physical Security

A small Padlock for hostel lockers or luggage, a Money belt for valuables, and an RFID-blocking wallet for credit cards are all good security items.

Health & Wellness Items

First Aid & Medications

Assemble a destination-specific first aid kit and bring sufficient prescription medication.

Kit Contents & Prescriptions

Sun Protection & Hydration

These are necessary for Ko Samet's climate. An eco-friendly hydration option is also good.

Sun, Bugs & Water

Personal Hygiene & Miscellaneous

Personal Hygiene

  • Bring specific brands of toiletries, specialized skin care products, or menstrual products you prefer, as these might be difficult to find or differ in quality locally.
  • Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, and a Toothbrush.
  • Hand sanitizer is useful, especially before meals or after touching shared surfaces.

Comfort & Reusable Items

Activity-Specific Equipment

Snorkeling Gear

While gear is available for rent, bringing your own Snorkel mask and dry snorkel set maintains comfort and hygiene. Quality rental gear is not always guaranteed.

  • Rent locally: widely available and affordable.
  • Bring your own: comfort and hygiene priority.

Scooters & Boats

Scooters and longtail boats are readily available for rent directly on the island for exploration and island hopping.

  • Scooters: Rent directly. IDP recommended.
  • Longtail Boats: Easily arranged for tours.

Waterproof Protection

A lightweight Waterproof dry bag is invaluable for protecting electronics, documents, and valuables during boat trips, sudden rain showers, or when leaving items on the beach.

  • Protect electronics.
  • Guard documents and valuables.

Rent vs. Bring Decision Matrix

Consider Bringing

  • Personal snorkel mask for comfort and hygiene.
  • Prescription medications with doctor's note.
  • Specific toiletries not readily available.
  • International Driving Permit for scooters.

Consider Renting Locally

  • Scooters (convenient, but drive with caution).
  • Longtail boats for island hopping.
  • General snorkel gear (if hygiene/fit are not a main concern).
  • Bicycles for shorter, less hilly explorations.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Security & Comfort Essentials

These items add security and convenience to your journey.

Personal Security & Travel Comfort

Eco-Friendly & Hard-to-Find Items

These selections promote sustainable travel and address specific needs.

Sustainable Choices & Specific Needs

Sustainable Travel Items

Reusable Coffee Cup

For beverages on the go.

Solar Charger

Eco-friendly device charging.

Refillable Toiletries

Reduce plastic bottle waste.

Solid Shampoo/Soap

Travel light, zero waste.

Destination-Specific Considerations

For Beach & Sun

  • A wide-brimmed hat for ample sun protection.
  • Sunglasses with high UV protection.
  • Light, loose clothing that dries quickly.

For Activities & Evenings

  • Comfortable walking shoes for exploring the national park.
  • Insect repellent with a good DEET or picaridin concentration for evenings.
  • A paperback book or e-reader for beach relaxation.

Smart Packing Advice

Pack light and efficiently. A smaller bag not only avoids baggage fees but also makes navigating public transport and island roads much simpler. Consider packing cubes for organization.

Leave valuable jewelry at home. While Ko Samet is generally safe, minimizing the display of expensive items reduces the risk of petty theft. Consider photocopies of important documents rather than carrying originals everywhere.