Budget airfare and traveling light

A local airline has an incomparable offer — less than USD20 from Manila to Bangkok. There’s a catch though. It’s a Go-Lite Fare which means no check-in baggage. A five day-trip with no check-in baggage? Is that possible? From Manila to Bangkok, yes. What’s there to bring anyway but clothes and a camera? A backpack will do. Here’s my what-to-bring checklist:

• Enough clothes for the entire trip.
• No towels — hotels provide towels.
• No thick and heavy clothing — it never gets that cold in the tropics anyway.
• No denim jeans — only light no-iron clothes.
• Essential toiletries only — hotels provide soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste so no need to bring those.
• Cash and credit cards.
• Cell phone with international service.
• IDs and travel documents.
• DSLR with a good walk-around lens. No extra lenses.

Now, that was easy. The problem is the trip back to Manila. Thailand is a haven for bargain hunters and I don’t think it’s realistic to presume that I won’t do any shopping. Not that I intend to bring home large pieces of antiques and statues. But gold jewelry is cheap in Bangkok. And probably cheaper away from the city in places like Chiang Mai. Of course, I won’t need extra bags for jewelry purchases. I’ll need them for the lacquerware, pewterware, pottery and traditional home decor items that are so plentiful in Thailand.

So, how much baggage will I have to check in? Probably an extra bag.

How large will that extra bag be? That depends on how good the prices are and how interesting the items for sale.

Note: Check guidelines on VAT refunds for tourists.