Clothing for Thailand trekking?
Discussion
I'm off to Thailand for FIVE WEEKS next month! Whoopee!
Anyway, in difference to previous advice - avoid wearing those 3/4 short trousers (the ones that are neither shorts or trousers) as if you do YOU WILL BE EATEN ALIVE!
And not in a good way! The locals find it very amusing to watch Westerners slapping blood sucking insects off their legs.
As for the shoes - hmmmm, not sure - I think you are still showing off a bit of a tasty meal!
And on another clothing point - last night I was searching for that single use underwear that travellers seem to like, and came to the obvious conclusion that quality silk boxer shorts in Thailand are cheaper to buy than single use disposable boxer shorts are here
Makes me glad to be getting out of Rip-Off Britain once more.
Anyway, in difference to previous advice - avoid wearing those 3/4 short trousers (the ones that are neither shorts or trousers) as if you do YOU WILL BE EATEN ALIVE!
And not in a good way! The locals find it very amusing to watch Westerners slapping blood sucking insects off their legs.
As for the shoes - hmmmm, not sure - I think you are still showing off a bit of a tasty meal!
And on another clothing point - last night I was searching for that single use underwear that travellers seem to like, and came to the obvious conclusion that quality silk boxer shorts in Thailand are cheaper to buy than single use disposable boxer shorts are here
Makes me glad to be getting out of Rip-Off Britain once more.
Edited by Cpn Jack Spanner on Monday 30th March 11:19
Buy mossie repellent when you get there - it has more agressive ingredients than we are allowed in the UK...
Those sandals are great during the day but you will need enclosed shoes etc for the mornings and evenings. Make sure you wear them a good bit when you are hot and sweaty to make sure they don't rub/give blisters when your feet are wet.
Those sandals are great during the day but you will need enclosed shoes etc for the mornings and evenings. Make sure you wear them a good bit when you are hot and sweaty to make sure they don't rub/give blisters when your feet are wet.
Update on the Red T-shirt Occupation. The latest news on Thai websites is that the pro-Thaksin anti-Government protesters are still occupying the area around the parliament buildings in BKK - which is good, as that means they're nowhere near the airports. However a news story today has the Thai equivalent of Chief Wiggum using the public address system to tell the protesters to stop blockading parliament and disperse - with threats of shield toting cops barging them out of the way...this is the LoS equivalent of riot police action. He's promised no guns, as previously some shooting or other has been suspected as being a deliberate Red T-Shirt act, an own-goal to foment more anger and more protest, so Khun Wiggum is making sure the PR win is scored this time. The Red T-shirt leader responded by urging more people to join the blockade.
Anybody travelling now may face, at worst, the drenching to be expected during the Thai songkran festival. Officially 13 April for 3 days but Thais like to get moist early and late. However, the best advice is, duck. Playful Thai youths sometimes drop a cube or two of ice in, and others aren't too choosy where the 'water' comes from.
Hope it goes well for any travellers now and future
PS whatever you do, don't arrive and wander about in a yellow T-shirt right now.
Anybody travelling now may face, at worst, the drenching to be expected during the Thai songkran festival. Officially 13 April for 3 days but Thais like to get moist early and late. However, the best advice is, duck. Playful Thai youths sometimes drop a cube or two of ice in, and others aren't too choosy where the 'water' comes from.
Hope it goes well for any travellers now and future
PS whatever you do, don't arrive and wander about in a yellow T-shirt right now.
I have done this sort of thing a few times.
Having attempted it in waterproofs and walking boots, I'd say don't bother. Even the best gear makes you sweat when it's 30 odd degress and very very humid. Unless you're going very rural the tracks you'll get taken on will be fairly lowland and thus you wont get cold.
Just get some trainers with a bit of grip, some decent socks (to attempt to prevent leeches) and then s
tty shorts, t shirt and long sleeve shirt. Chuck them when you're done cause they'll be wrecked.
You wait til you see your guide - they'll have the sttiest shorts and t shirts and more often than not, no shoes.
Having attempted it in waterproofs and walking boots, I'd say don't bother. Even the best gear makes you sweat when it's 30 odd degress and very very humid. Unless you're going very rural the tracks you'll get taken on will be fairly lowland and thus you wont get cold.
Just get some trainers with a bit of grip, some decent socks (to attempt to prevent leeches) and then s
tty shorts, t shirt and long sleeve shirt. Chuck them when you're done cause they'll be wrecked. You wait til you see your guide - they'll have the s
ttiest shorts and t shirts and more often than not, no shoes. turbobloke said:
Update on the Red T-shirt Occupation. The latest news on Thai websites is that the pro-Thaksin anti-Government protesters are still occupying the area around the parliament buildings in BKK - which is good, as that means they're nowhere near the airports. However a news story today has the Thai equivalent of Chief Wiggum using the public address system to tell the protesters to stop blockading parliament and disperse - with threats of shield toting cops barging them out of the way...this is the LoS equivalent of riot police action. He's promised no guns, as previously some shooting or other has been suspected as being a deliberate Red T-Shirt act, an own-goal to foment more anger and more protest, so Khun Wiggum is making sure the PR win is scored this time. The Red T-shirt leader responded by urging more people to join the blockade.
Anybody travelling now may face, at worst, the drenching to be expected during the Thai songkran festival. Officially 13 April for 3 days but Thais like to get moist early and late. However, the best advice is, duck. Playful Thai youths sometimes drop a cube or two of ice in, and others aren't too choosy where the 'water' comes from.
Hope it goes well for any travellers now and future
PS whatever you do, don't arrive and wander about in a yellow T-shirt right now.
Thanks Turbobloke.Anybody travelling now may face, at worst, the drenching to be expected during the Thai songkran festival. Officially 13 April for 3 days but Thais like to get moist early and late. However, the best advice is, duck. Playful Thai youths sometimes drop a cube or two of ice in, and others aren't too choosy where the 'water' comes from.
Hope it goes well for any travellers now and future
PS whatever you do, don't arrive and wander about in a yellow T-shirt right now.
Hopefully all will be ok.
My 2 kids are looking forward to Songkran. We'll be on the islands by then, so it won't be as hectic as in BKK or up north.
Cpn Jack Spanner said:
I'm off to Thailand for FIVE WEEKS next month! Whoopee!
Anyway, in difference to previous advice - avoid wearing those 3/4 short trousers (the ones that are neither shorts or trousers) as if you do YOU WILL BE EATEN ALIVE!
We've still got another 7 weeks to go Anyway, in difference to previous advice - avoid wearing those 3/4 short trousers (the ones that are neither shorts or trousers) as if you do YOU WILL BE EATEN ALIVE!
And Deet 95% is the way forward to banish the mossies.
bigandclever said:
Cpn Jack Spanner said:
I'm off to Thailand for FIVE WEEKS next month! Whoopee!
Anyway, in difference to previous advice - avoid wearing those 3/4 short trousers (the ones that are neither shorts or trousers) as if you do YOU WILL BE EATEN ALIVE!
We've still got another 7 weeks to go Anyway, in difference to previous advice - avoid wearing those 3/4 short trousers (the ones that are neither shorts or trousers) as if you do YOU WILL BE EATEN ALIVE!
And Deet 95% is the way forward to banish the mossies.
Seriously nasty stuff, even attacks the label on the bottle. Keeps you watm at night though! Get a range of stuff from natural or 25% DEET upto 100% DEET for when it's really bad so you don't have to wear the nasty stuff all the time.
bigandclever said:
Cpn Jack Spanner said:
I'm off to Thailand for FIVE WEEKS next month! Whoopee!
Anyway, in difference to previous advice - avoid wearing those 3/4 short trousers (the ones that are neither shorts or trousers) as if you do YOU WILL BE EATEN ALIVE!
We've still got another 7 weeks to go Anyway, in difference to previous advice - avoid wearing those 3/4 short trousers (the ones that are neither shorts or trousers) as if you do YOU WILL BE EATEN ALIVE!
And Deet 95% is the way forward to banish the mossies.
Don said:
on both points.They do some good long-sleeved lightweight shirts that are impregnated with mossie repellent.
The American brand Columbia is as good and a LOT cheaper, not sure if you can get it in Blighty?
bigandclever said:
And Deet 95% is the way forward to banish the mossies.
+1...I went into Millets shortly before leaving and they had either 50% or 95% DEET repellent, which were the same price and same amount.
Obviously I am a total skinflint so decided that 95% was the way forward. By jove, it's nasty stuff! It smells toxic, FEELS toxic and, if you get any near your lips makes them go numb.
But it works really well and you hardly need to use any too... Thrifty!
Enjoy Thailand, it's a brilliant, beautiful country if you try to ignore/avoid the hordes of f
kwits around the tourist areas. Particularly the ones who think that they've genuinely "Pulled" the stunning young Thai woman on their arm. No, you've PAID.
Edited by carreauchompeur on Monday 30th March 16:08
Just in case it's of any interest to current or future travellers and to (possibly) allay concerns, I have been on the mossie menu in the past due to a sudden and unavoidable change of itinerary while over in Thailand, and then had to subject myself to the post-exposure medication regime, which initially is at galactic levels compared to the pre-treatment - and there were no side-effects. My constitution is strong but not at Chuck Norris levels so others need not panic. Unduly.
get yourself 2 pairs of good shoes (much like the ones in your OP) and a basic pack of t-shirts and shorts. Buy everything else you need once in Thailand, unless you look like a rugby prop forward!
Will be cheaper getting out here, and TBH, most will get binned anyway as if backpacking will be biohazard by the time you get back.
Expect to get sweatty!!
More serious priorities.
Girls - check that they are
Have fun!
Will be cheaper getting out here, and TBH, most will get binned anyway as if backpacking will be biohazard by the time you get back.
Expect to get sweatty!!
More serious priorities.
- Soluble Berocca - you are not used to the humidity here - you will ALWAYS be dehydrated, so if nothing else, stick one of them down you every morning.
- Nurafen - Hangovers are worse in 30c+ and 90% humidity, and i garuntee your hangover cure of choice will not be available.
- Sun block - bring something to get you by the first days, but buy local, its better here than in the UK!! and use it - apply regularly!!
Girls - check that they are
Have fun!
I was there during the protests last November/December.
I simply couldn't get home so my 2.5 week holiday lasted for 3.5 weeks
My work were really good and gave me extra time off free of charge
I was backpacking and did a range of things including trekking, climbing etc, and also days on the beaches in the south. The only implications for me were having to get my clothes cleaned another couple of times and obviously my wallet was hit for another 6 days of holiday expenses etc...
Not that I'm bitter, but my Travel insurance (through HSBC) didn't cover any of it... Civil unrest and/or political uprising are defined in the policy exclusions!
Terrorism on the other hand is fully covered - It's all rubbish.
If you can, spend a few days at Railay beach in Krabi - Gorgeous!
There's very good advice been posted on the forum so far.
Don't get scared when reading the advice from FCO...
I simply couldn't get home so my 2.5 week holiday lasted for 3.5 weeks
My work were really good and gave me extra time off free of charge
I was backpacking and did a range of things including trekking, climbing etc, and also days on the beaches in the south. The only implications for me were having to get my clothes cleaned another couple of times and obviously my wallet was hit for another 6 days of holiday expenses etc...
Not that I'm bitter, but my Travel insurance (through HSBC) didn't cover any of it... Civil unrest and/or political uprising are defined in the policy exclusions!
Terrorism on the other hand is fully covered - It's all rubbish.
If you can, spend a few days at Railay beach in Krabi - Gorgeous!
There's very good advice been posted on the forum so far.
Don't get scared when reading the advice from FCO...
V8 GMS said:
I was there during the protests last November/December.
I simply couldn't get home so my 2.5 week holiday lasted for 3.5 weeks
My work were really good and gave me extra time off free of charge
Barsteward! There were vague rumblings when I was there in Feb. It's such a brilliant, stone-bonker, cast iron excuse for not turning up at work... "Civil unrest".I simply couldn't get home so my 2.5 week holiday lasted for 3.5 weeks
My work were really good and gave me extra time off free of charge
Next time I go, I will be taking even less clothes. 35baht for a kilo of laundry, beautifully folded and finished... Marvellous!
turbobloke said:
... My constitution is strong but not at Chuck Norris levels so others need not panic. Unduly.
Which reminds me of a few experiences of Thai foods. Whoever said the line "When in Rome etc etc" was clearly a complete idiot. The more apt line would be "Anything that doesn't kill you..." Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff