1

A much contested topic on this forum is jeans: Yea or Nay? The upside, they are rugged, you already own them, and you are comfortable in them.

The downside, they are warm and they take a long time to dry, on a clothsline.

Linen shirts wrinkle easy and could stand ironing, they are trouble but I like then anyway.

2

Linen shirts and jeans don't go at all well with Thailand's humidity - but if you happen to like looking as if you just fell out of the washing machine. Still, won't be too bad in January. If you're normal size you can buy lightweight denim jeans here quite cheaply. In fact all clothing is cheap - you could bring very little and buy as you go.

Light chinos and drifits work, but have one pair of long trousers if you plan to go anywhere decent. Nothing screams "déclassé" like strolling through the Oriental lobby in shorts and thongs.

3

Thanks for the advice!

Is there any need to bring anything warmer than a long sleeve button down (i.e. will it get cold enough at night to require something more?)

Also, is it advisable to bring a rain jacket?

Please let me know.

4

No need. At worst, just hop in to a shop/mall and wait it out like the locals.

Not unless you are going to be outdoors camping in the mountains in the north

5

Right now in Chiang Mai it's nice to have a hooded sweatshirt at night, especially if you are driving a motorbike.

I don't think you really need any special 'travel clothes' to be in Thailand (or anywhere for that matter). Regular tshirts and cargo shorts, light denim jeans, are fine.

I have a couple pairs of basketball/mesh shorts that I like to wear on hot days. Super comfortable. You can get em at markets here for less than 50 baht.

The downside, they are warm and they take a long time to dry, on a clothsline.

I wash my jeans at night and they are dry by the morning and that's right now when it gets cool in Chiang Mai. I wouldn't worry about that. Also, maybe it's because I've been here so long, but unless it's April/May in Chiang Mai, I don't feel like jeans are that intense to wear out here.

6

We're in Bangkok right now and it's a sweltering 30+ C degree daily, with off and on threats of rain but nothing really yet. It's very steamy....been in shorts (longer ones preferred for cultural respect) and short sleeves for 10 days straight.

Agreed, linen and jeans are NOT a good idea, plus will take forever to dry. Polypro/nylon clothing is best - dries quickly and packs well/small. If you have A/C in your room, these types of clothes will typically dry overnight if you crank the A/C. One long sleeve isn't a bad idea, as the A/C in your hotel/guesthouse and the malls/Sky Train/airplanes can get downright chilly at times.

We carry rain jackets as we're backpacking for a long time but gave up years ago trying to use those in SE Asia, as it's just too hot. If you're trekking up north, though, not a bad idea. I second PhiMeow's advice - pop into a mall to stay dry for the short shower you're likely to encounter this time of year (unless you're in the north).

Not much I can suggest needed outside of the norm for travel in these areas - Bangkok has just about anything you need these days. Check out SuperSports in Central World Siam if you find yourself lacking in "backpacker" clothing - won't be cheap but you can stock up on many outdoor brands (North Face, Columbia, etc.)

7

I just go into Duc de Pralines and have a mint mocha if it rains. You get chocolate along with your drink.

If you need clothes, there are plenty of markets and shops like Lotus and Big C where you can buy everything you need.

8

Also, is it advisable to bring a rain jacket?
Can buy such in 7/11 for 20 bht.

A fold up umbrella is much better as it's too humid to wear a rain coat.

9

I have found that a cheap poncho is good to carry, especially if you're backpacking without a rain fly and/or carrying a camera that day. We rarely need ours in SE Asia even in off-season, but never hurts to shove one in there.