Kit List

Culturally Sensitive Projects

It is such a unique privilege to be welcomed into Thailand and to work with such highly respectable, inspiring, local organisations. With this privilege we take on the great responsibility to uphold customs and culture, which Thai people are so proud of. During your time in the Chiang Mai, both men and women must dress conservatively as we show the highest level of cultural sensitivity. For this reason we have a strict dress code for all projects.

Why Upholding the Dress Code Is So Important…

Dressing modestly is such an important aspect of traditional life and integral to local culture and beliefs. Our dress code is integral to our project aims and a crucially important part of your experience.

Wearing western clothing, could result in local people feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed. In order to show our respect, we ask you to at all times within the village adhere to local dress and show the utmost cultural sensitivity to local people.

Being The Highest Standard Of Visitor To Thailand

• Respect local cultural beliefs and customs
• Be proud that, with Think Pacific, we uphold the highest standards of cultural sensitivity
• Ensure that local people never feel uncomfortable or embarrassed
• Gain huge respect from within the community
• Be remembered as a humble and culturally sensitive visitor to Thailand

Dress Code Basics For All

To respect the local community and norms, we ask all participants to dress conservatively whilst in and around Chiang Mai. Your top will need to cover your shoulders, midriff, and cleavage, and trousers/skirts to cover your knees. Long trousers and a loose fitting T-shirt is perfect for the village. 

❌ No revealing clothing, such as low cut, transparent or see through clothing

❌ No vest tops, shoulders must be covered

❌ No skirts and shorts above the knee

Our projects in Thailand are professional, and, due to this, we expect you to dress smartly as you would in any professional work context. For days when you will work with our project partners, you are required to wear long trousers/skirt, coloured shirt/blouse, and smart shoes.

Important Items To Be Brought From Home…

Essentials

• Reusable Water Bottle –  Number one on our list. Stay hydrated and reduce single use plastic
• Suitcase/Backpack – A suitcase is fine, but a large backpack or holdall is often easier to carry
• Small backpack/daypack – for day-to-day use and weekend activities
• Hat (to shield/protect yourself from the sun, as well as a mini fan to help keep you cool while walking between project sites)
• Passport
• Phone, charger & adapter
• Project clothes
• Project shoes
• Sandals/flip flops
• Appropriate footwear – Bring good grip trainers/sneakers, walking shoes for any treks
• Underwear
• Towels x 2
• Padlock
• Notebook and Pen (for planning and/or journalling)
• Documents – Printed paper copy of your passport photo page, flight itinerary and insurance
• Sun Cream (high factor – suncream in Bali is very expensive to buy, we recommend bringing it from home)
• Wash bag and personal care:
  • Shower gel & soap
  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Tampons/sanitary towels
  • Razors/Shaving gel
• If you have any facial piercings, we ask that you bring a clear piercing retainer
• If you have any visible tattoos, we recommend you bring tattoo cover up make up, or plasters/bandages

* For the Global Team Internship, a laptop or tablet will be essential to complete the research and proposal.

Optional Kit..

Additionally, you may find these items useful to bring:

• Packing Cubes (helps organise your clothes)
• Ear plugs
• Contact lenses/spare glasses
• First aid kit (safety pins, plasters, antiseptic etc)
• Handheld fan
• Umbrella
• Sarong – for covering up in and around temples
• Bag for laundry
• Waist bag / money wallet
• Travel Sickness Tablets (a lot of time can be spent in the cars travelling to and from placement/partners due to traffic)
• Mosquito Repellent (this is commonly found in Thailand and cheap to buy approx £1-2 per bottle)

Recommended Clothing List For Men..

We advise the following as a guide for all projects:

• x 7-10 T-shirts + 1x Think Pacific T-shirt (received during the in-country briefing)
• Vest tops (for weekends)
• Shorts x 3-4 (for weekends)
• Smart full length trousers for placement x 3-4
• Casual loose fitting trousers  x 3-4
• Formal collared shirts for placement x 3-4
• Underwear x 10 pairs
• Smart closed toe shoes for placement x 1
• Flip flops x 1
• Good grip trainers x 1
• Fleece/Hoodie x 1
• Jogging bottoms/ sweat pants  x 1
• Rain Jacket / Waterproofs
• Swimming shorts

NB: There are laundry services available locally to the serviced accommodation for a low cost, if you need to wash your clothing. 

Recommended Clothing List For Women…

We advise the following as a guide for all projects:

• x7-10 T-shirts + 1x Think Pacific T-shirt (received during the in-country briefing)
• Vest tops (for weekends)
• Shorts x 3-4 (for weekends)
• Smart full length trousers for placement x 3-4
• Casual loose fitting trousers/full length skirts for the village x 3-4
• Formal collared shirts/blouses for placement x 5
• Underwear x 10 pairs
• Smart closed toe shoes for placement x 1-2
• Flip flops x 1
• Good grip trainers x 1
• Fleece/Hoodie x 1
• Jogging bottoms/ sweat pants  x 1
• Rain Jacket / Waterproofs
• Swimming suit (Please avoid bringing more revealing swim wear as most accommodations do not allow this in the city).

NB: There are laundry services available locally to the serviced accommodation for a low cost, if you need to wash your clothing. 

Arrive Prepared, Just In Case..

Our mindset for the project is always ‘Prevention is better than cure’.

Bringing a good supply of basic first aid supplies is essential when joining an immersive international program.  Hopefully you won’t require these items, but our experience is that small illnesses and ailments are very common in such a different and tropical environment.

All Items To Be Brought From Home…

• First Aid Kit Bag
• Plasters (band aids)
• Adhesive Tape
• Antiseptic cream x1
• Antibacterial Hand gel
• Cold/Flu medicine x1
• Box Painkillers x1
• Antihistamine Tablets x2
• Sting relief cream/spray x1
• Anti-diarrhoea tablets x1 box
• Anti-constipation x1 box
• Oral rehydration salts (ORS) x 1tube
• Multi-vitamin tablets x1 box

Please ensure you keep all medicines in the original packaging when entering Thailand.

Thailand is well stocked with many medications, we suggest bringing enough for a week and you can buy more if needed.

Luggage Allowances..

For most international flights you are usually limited to one x 22kg bag plus a small bag for the plane. Please be sure to consult all airline guidelines on the exact weight allowances. Roll your clothes before packing them to save on space.

Be ruthless

If you can’t fit everything into one large bag or backpack, you’ve got too much! Pack just for 10 days. You can wash weekly and you’ll end up wearing the same clothes again and again. We’ve provided a list of essential items, important first aid and an example clothing list to help.

Remember, project days aren’t a fashion show!

Don’t forget to bring important documents!

It is essential that you bring with you:

• Passport
• Photo ID card (European ID card, driving licence etc.)
• A paper copy of your flight itinerary (including proof of ongoing flight)
• A paper copy of your passport photo page (every accommodation you enter will ask to take a copy of your passport, having copies is very useful!)
• A paper copy of your insurance details