Packing List for new COT staff

The following are suggestions compiled from our staff over the years. The list is not exclusively based on
necessities, but includes personal items and ideas to make your house a home here in Thailand. Again,
these are merely suggestions and more female-oriented, but hopefully will be helpful in your planning
and packing.

TOILETRIES:
• Deodorant—basically, you can get a number of different kinds of deo here…
if you have a favorite that you feel you can’t live without, inquire to its
availability.
• Tampons— these are not readily available because Thai women don’t really
use them much, but they have every kind of pad made!
• Make-up—They sell Maybelline and other drug store brands as well as
Clinique and other department store brands (in Bangkok). Clinique, etc. is a
little more expensive than in the States. You could stock up on some items
if you like, but not things that might go bad.
• Birth Control—if you have any questions on what’s available here, just ask
the wives.
• Bug spray—“OFF” and “Skin So Soft” by Avon is available here.
• Tums or Rolaids—if you use these, bring them.
• Contacts—Disposable contact lenses are available here for the same price as
Wal-Mart in the States. Saline solution, etc. is available also.
• Shampoo, hairspray, mousse, shaving cream, sun block, perfume, cologne is all
available here. Wouldn’t suggest stocking up on these unless there’s a
certain brand you just can’t live without. In that case, ask!
• If you have sensitive skin and prefer certain products, ask to see if it’s
available here. (Ex. Neutrogena products are available, Lubriderm lotion
isn’t)
• Hand sanitizers are available.

MEDICINES: (bring enough of this stuff to last you awhile)

• Cold medicine— most anything can be obtained, but not usually non-drowsy
varieties.
• Multivitamins are available here but expensive. If you prefer a certain kind
you may want to bring extra.
• Not Available:
- Antibiotic ointment like Neosporin
- Benadryll or Caladryl clear anti-itch lotion
• There are more over-the-counter cold & pain relief medicines for children in
the States. If you have something you use frequently, you might want to

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Packing List for new COT staff

bring some extra. Remember, though, that drugs do expire. Also,

Dramamine for kids is not available yet.

CLOTHING:
• Women: Underwear, bras, slips, stockings, knee highs, socks - though
stockings, etc. are worn very infrequently in this hot climate
• Men: Underwear, t-shirts, socks… no boxer shorts here
• Conservative bathing suits are more readily available in Thailand than in US
at the writing of this
• Shoes — unless you have huge feet, you can make do with most everything
you find here. The best shoes for women are slip-ons, especially the ones
with no back, because of taking your shoes off and on so frequently when
entering buildings and homes. Flip-flops and inexpensive slides are available
in abundance! If you have a larger size foot or wear a really narrow shoe
size, you might want to consider bringing some extra shoes, as these are
hard to find.
• It is hard to find clothes that fit—they just don’t! Some of the staff
women order from Land’s End, Eddie Bauer, etc. In Khon Kaen we are able to
wear slacks and nice jeans to campus, not just skirts and dresses. Things
get dirty very easily here! When buying khakis, remember that the darker
the fabric, the less likely to show dirt and stains. If you have questions
about styles, lengths, etc. you know what to do—just ask!
• During the cool season (only a month or so) it might be nice to have some
type of cotton cardigan or lightweight jacket. A jacket is especially nice if
you plan to have a motorcycle. Some long sleeve shirts may be preferred
during the cool season (December/January). Some mountain camping sites
can actually get close to freezing; these places are not frequented but you
might find yourself doing this with students every once in awhile (sweat
shirt is adequate). Cotton short-sleeved sweaters are going to be
comfortable all the time. Also, if you sleep in an air-conditioned room, you
might like to have some warmer pajamas—just depends on the person.

DECORATING: (Including Christmas)

• Suggest buying stuff in the States after Christmas when it is all on sale,
especially ornaments. Artificial trees, wrapping paper, and ribbon are all
available here.
• Decorating items—pictures, sit around stuff, tablecloths, placemats and
napkins, candles, etc. Bring things you think you’d want in you house here.

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Lots of colorful ceramic vases and other decorations are available here.
Wall pictures are expensive here. Suggest bringing unframed prints and
have them framed here (framing is inexpensive).
• Bath mats of good quality and design are hard to find and expensive.
Suggest bringing a dark color, as your feet will stay dirty.
• Pretty shower curtains are available, but expensive. You may want to bring a
queen-sized sheet and make your own. You can buy plastic liners for the
same price as in the States.
• Conventional curtain rods can be purchased. We have all learned creative
and inexpensive ways to make curtains. Custom-made curtains are not too
expensive if you already have the fabric. You may want to bring fabric that
you like for this purpose, or extra sheets that can be used to make curtains.
You could also have someone send this over later when you know more about
colors and measurements of your own home.
• Blinds are great for blocking out the heat, but recommend waiting until you
measure your place and then have someone (or CCP) bring them. Make sure
they are child-safety ones that are lead-free.
• Wallpaper and wallpaper borders are not available here.
• Cute kitchen towels are hard to find! Bring extra!

KITCHEN: (and food stuff)

• Unless you have some expensive kitchen appliances that you cannot live
without, we suggest not bringing them because they are not ideal to use on a
transformer. Some of these items are budgeted into your one-time support
to be purchased here. Others are not that expensive (ex: coffee maker,
mixer, blender, etc.) and can be purchased as you have need of them. The
less you have to use on a transformer, the better! Some wives have
purchased Convection/Microwave ovens here instead of using a large oven
that heats up the whole house. These are expensive ($400) so if this is
something you are interested in, you may want to set some money aside for
that. If you have any questions, just ask the wives.
• Cookware, dishes, flatware, glasses, cooking utensils, Tupperware: we
recommend bringing everything you already have and like to use. What you
can’t fit the first trip can always be sent later. If you have dishes that you
love, bring them. Durable, pretty, plastic dishes with all the accessories are
also available here. These are great for kids and company! All kinds of
plastic Tupperware is available here and is inexpensive. Plastic cups are easy
to find here, but glasses are not. If you have nice glasses you would like to

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bring you may want to repack them in their original box for the trip over.
Make sure to pack all dishes and breakables in bubble wrap.
• A good set of stainless steel flatware would be an excellent thing to bring
along. Good silverware is hard to find.
• Pots and Pans—If you have nice ones, make sure you bring them all! Non-
stick frying pans are expensive and are of a lower quality. Also, non-stick
bake ware, casserole dishes, and Pyrex stuff is expensive. Bring baking
items and pans in smaller sizes (9x10, 6 cup muffin pans, etc.) if you plan to
use a Convection oven because they are a little smaller than regular ones.
• Cake mixes and muffin mixes can be found here, but are expensive. No
brownie mixes, no Ranch or Buttermilk salad dressing mixes. You may want
to bring the little packages of the mix if you like these kinds. (These can
easily be sent to you in Global Priority envelopes, so you may not want to
waste too much packing space on food items.) No Macaroni and Cheese in
the box, no Pop-Tarts, no decaf tea, no sugar-free Kool-Aid, although regular
Kool-Aid is available.
• Non-stick spray for cooking is found in Bangkok.
• Many spices are available here except for Poppy Seeds and salt substitutes
like Mrs. Dash.
• Ziploc bags - available and substitute cheap ones as well.
• Although plastic cups are available here, they aren’t as pretty or durable as
the ones in the States. Recommend buying some “no sweat” ones, or clear
ones because the ones here are bright colors and may not match your décor.
• If you use a lot of little kitchen gadgets, you might like to include them,
especially items like measuring cups and spoons, a paring knife, potato peeler,
etc… these can be found in BKK if you don’t wish to bring them.

APPLIANCES:
• Wouldn’t recommend bringing many appliances. Remember, the less you use
on a transformer the better. Appliances really aren’t any more expensive
here than in the States. Best to wait and buy things here. Things used on
transformer invariably get plugged in to a wall socket and that is the end of
it.
• Dual voltage hair dryers, curling irons, etc. can be purchased at Wal-Mart or
Kmart.
• Answering machine—better quality in the U.S. Not really necessary due to
cell phone answering services.

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• If you have small lamps, bring them. Lamps only need a correct bulb for the
voltage change. If you don’t want to worry with bringing lamps, pretty ones
can be purchased in Bangkok at reasonable prices.
• Suggest buying a “Dust Buster” in 220v at the A-Z store in Atlanta. Great
for cleaning up spills, etc. on tile floors. Remember, this is just a suggestion,
not an absolute necessity.
• Buy your transformers here; they are too heavy to ship and they are
cheaper here.
• Rechargeable batteries are available here - also rechargeable items are a
good idea (screwdriver, mixers, razors, etc.)

BOOKS:
• Ship you vital or new books. You will need your reference books for personal
Bible Study unless you do this on computer now. Reference books are really
scarce here—yours will be of benefit to you and to the Thai’s you lead to
Christ. These can be sent book to surface rate in 20-30 lb shipments from
the states as early as 3 to 4 months before you leave. This is the cheapest
way and will help you not weigh down your baggage for the flight over. Check
with us to see if we already have what you want to bring over.
• Christian children’s books and baby books are definitely a scarcity here, so
bring anything along these lines that you plan to use. We use baby books we
bought in the States (if not applicable now, can be sent over later).
• Christian books—the few Christian bookstores here have a limited selection.
• If you enjoy reading, maybe you should frequent used bookstores to get a
few to put away for later (ship them over).
• Cookbooks are scarce. If you enjoy cooking, bring them along. You might not
be able to use some recipes, but with time you will discover substitutions and
be able to adapt some, too. The women have figured out ways to do this.
• Consider getting a magazine subscription. Most magazines will send them
here for a higher cost, or you could have it mailed by someone in the States
who would mail it to you by global priority mail. This is good if you have a
relative who will be mailing you things periodically anyway.

BED & BATH:

• Bring all of your sheets because quality sheets are harder to find here
(although some of us have found sheets and comforters here that we’ve used
for making curtains, or bedding in guestrooms, etc.). Bring what you already
have and like, at least 2 or 3 sets. There are no standard double beds here,

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so your double sheets would not work. Bring sheets that will fit the bed you
plan to buy here: twin, queen, or king. Also bring a couple of flat, king sheets
to use at the cabin. The beds there are twin, queen, or king. So if you bring
flat, king sheets you can use them on any bed. (This is just a suggestion and
depends on the individual. You can always just take the size that you use at
home.) Suggest going to an outlet to get good prices on nice sheets.
• Bed Covering—whether you use a blanket, comforter, or bedspread, if you
have air in your room, it won’t be too hot. This can take up a good part of a
box, but if you really like what you already have, it’s worth it. Consider
bringing coordinating sheets (mix and match) that you can use to make
duvets, shams, pillows, bed skirts, curtains, shower curtains, etc. You can
always buy an inexpensive comforter here and cover it with your own fabric.
• Nice bath towels and washcloths like you would buy in the States are more
expensive here. Cheap ones are not absorbant. Best bet: bring what you
have.
• They do not have over the door clothes hangers here.
• Scales are available here unless you just love the one you already have.
• Stilts to raise the bed off the floor are nice to provide storage under your
bed. These are cone shaped and must be purchased stateside. They stack
though so are easy to carry.

MISCELLANEOUS:
• DVDs, board games, cards—if you like these things bring them, especially
your favorite movies if you already have them.
• Pretty cards and stationary are harder to find here, especially Christian
stationary. You may want to bring extra. Greeting cards are easy to find,
but may look different than what you are used to. You may want to stock up
on special holiday cards, like mothers/fathers day, or seasonal items like
cards and party supplies for holidays that aren’t celebrated here. It is nice
to have some Christmas paper to do a mass mailing on (Christmas letter).
• Recommend stocking up on file folders. They don’t have the same size here
or ones that have the tab for indexing. Or, you can just switch your filing
system over to using Thai size file folders and paper.
• You may want to bring a lightweight Bible for taking back and forth to
language school and campus.
• They pretty much use A4 paper here which is longer and narrower than 8x11
paper. Notebooks are available here for this and it is best to switch over if
you are brave. Ruled paper is not sold here, so if you like it, bring it.

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• Pens and pencils of all types are available here.

• If you like crafts, bring your own craft supplies. Acrylic paint can be found
but is expensive. Spray paint (i.e. gold/silver for Christmas stuff) is easy to
find. If you have a hobby you enjoy, ask if the supplies are available here
(smocking, painting, needlework, explosives, etc.)
• Toys—if you already have kids, you might want to bring a good bit in the way
of toys. They are hard to find in Khon Kaen, but can be purchased in
Bangkok—though they are expensive. You might even want to do a little
Birthday or Christmas shopping ahead of time, too. Bicycles, balls, and
outdoor sports equipment are easily purchased locally.

FINAL HINTS:
• As far as selling things in a yard sale goes, we would suggest you sell only the
big things you no longer want. If it were something you would sell for
nothing and then just have to re-buy over here, then we would recommend
NOT doing it. If you can’t fit it in your stuff then leave it behind; either
the summer project or a friend could bring it later.
• Bring the things that are sentimental to you and that will help Thailand
really seem like home.
• Not every suggestion here is a necessity. You will have to decide which
things are most important to you! Just keep that in mind when making
purchases to prepare to come over. Again, if you have any specific questions,
ASK!!!!!!

Updated: November 2007