If you’re coming to Thailand, chances are the number one thing you’re wondering about is what clothes to pack. Sure, you want to stay comfortable in Thailand’s hot and humid climate, but it’s also a country whose people (aside from its infamous bar girls and ladyboys) dress quite modestly. Is it possible to stay cool and comfortable while following the “rules”? Absolutely. Ladies and gentlemen, we bring to you the dos and don’ts of what to wear in Thailand.
We’ve briefly addressed what to wear in Thailand in our Tips for Visiting Thailand for the First Time post, but since it’s such a hot topic and Thailand’s high season is in full swing now, we were inspired to dedicate an entire post to it.
Let’s be honest: Thailand usually turns a blind eye to foreigners’ clothing choices, so on the surface there seems to be no clear-cut rules on how to dress.
However, there are definitely clothing trends that are acceptable and others that just won’t do, and that is something we’ve deduced simply by observing what the locals wear. Plus, we can confidently say that your appearance has an effect on how you’re treated in Thailand, so choosing to dress tastefully and appropriately goes a long way.
What to Wear: Everyday Outfits
DO: Short skirts and shorts are ok to wear. Be sure to wear comfortable flat shoes and shirts that cover your shoulders.
Thailand is hot, sunny, and humid! You’ll sweat no matter what you wear. But before you go tossing in any ol’ sleeveless or see-through shirt and those booty shorts in your suitcase, here are some tasteful suggestions.
Do bring hot weather clothing
Guys, the best thing to wear in Thailand are polo shirts, button-down collared shirts, and golf or Bermuda shorts. Even good quality t-shirts and cargo shorts will do. Packing a pair of semi-casual pants will come in handy for an evening out.
Ladies, definitely pack skirts, shorts, summer dresses, and tasteful tops. These can be either flowing or fitted but should be of good quality. Shirts should cover your shoulders (to the edges) and have a semi-high collar line. We don’t mean turtlenecks, but your cleavage shouldn’t be showing. Sheer or lacy fabric is a good way to stay cool, but be sure to wear a camisole or slip underneath.
We recommend moisture-wicking polos and shorts for guys. For ladies, this Bohemian dress is a favorite. It doubles as an evening outfit with leggings or a bathing suit cover on the beach.
Don’t wear revealing clothing
DON’T: Although short skirts and shorts are totally acceptable to wear, you shouldn’t be able to see your butt cheeks!
For men, don’t wear sleeveless muscle shirts or singlets (especially ones that show your man nipples) or walk around with your shirts unbuttoned.
Ladies, don’t wear tank tops and avoid spaghetti strap shirts completely unless you are wearing a cardigan or shawl draped over your shoulders. Leave the dangerously short (high?) Daisy Duke shorts at home, too.
And pleeeaaase, pleeeease don’t show your cleavage. We can’t stress this enough.
Footwear
You may find yourself walking a lot before you get comfortable using the local transportation. The more comfortable and easier to wear shoes you have, the better.
Do wear comfortable, preferably water-resistant shoes
Comfortable shoes are a must. Since it rains often in Thailand, anything made of rubber or a plastic composite is a great choice. Flip flops are totally acceptable but flat, slipper-like shoes are much more convenient. The latter protects your feet from street grime and there are no laces to wrestle with when taking off your shoes.
Always take your shoes off before entering someone’s house or a temple. If you will see piles of shoes outside of an entranceway, that’s a dead giveaway to remove yours, too.
We don’t like admitting it, but we love crocs. Super comfy, blister free, easy-to-clean, waterproof crocs. Guys, check out their loafer style boat shoes. Gals, take a look at these ballet flats.
Don’t walk around barefoot and pass on the high heels and boots
DON’T: Wearing a spaghetti strap shirt and/or going barefoot are not appropriate choices
Ladies, although you look cute in your high heels, you may simultaneously break an ankle and knock out a few front teeth as you faceplant on Thailand’s generally sad excuse for sidewalks. If you absolutely must wear heels, go with low wedges or espadrilles to give you a bit more surface area to balance on.
It’s best not to use hiking or combat boot and socks for everyday shoes. Your feet will cook to death and could possibly develop a mad case of athlete’s foot.
Lastly, do not walk around barefoot. Some free-spirited individuals like to connect with Mother Earth and in some countries it’s ok (maybe? which ones, we don’t know), but not in Thailand. Bringing city grime that’s been collecting on the soles of your feet into a Thai home or business is offensive.
At the Beach
Thailand is famous for its gorgeous beaches, but make sure to cover up appropriately as soon as you’re off the beach!
Do wear bathing suits on the beach and cover-ups in town
Although Thais are often fully clothed at the beach, it’s alright for foreign guys to wear only swim shorts and for ladies to wear two-piece bathing suits. Just makes sure this is at the beach and not while you’re walking down Main Street.
When you step off the sand and start to venture into town, grab a beach cover-up. Ladies, this means wearing a sarong or wrap that covers your chest and midriff and guys should grab a t-shirt (nothing sleeveless) to wear over your swim trunks.
There are tons of shops in Thailand’s beach towns selling airy cover-ups and wraps. They’ll also have lots of sunglasses and big floppy sun hats to protect you from the sun when you need them.
Sarongs are perfect for covering up your bathing suit, drying off, protecting your skin from the sun, and stretching out on the sand. These elephant sarongs are a great fit for Thailand’s beaches.
Don’t walk around town in bathing suits or go topless
A quick glance around and you will never see a Thai person walking down the street or riding a motorbike in a bathing suit. Nor will they ride around barefoot. Wearing a bathing suit into town without a cover-up is a big no-no and makes Thais (and conscientious expats) uncomfortable. This especially holds true in non-beach towns such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai!
The only area in Thailand we would say to be more conscious about your choice in bathing suit is in the deep south where Thailand neighbors Malaysia. This region is populated by conservatively dressed Muslim communities and its considered disrespectful to walk around with your booty jiggling in a thong bikini or your package, eh hem, on display in a Speedo. There you will see Thais, both men and women, wearing what looks like a wetsuit.
Also, it is completely unacceptable to sunbathe topless in Thailand.
Temples
DO: Longer sleeved shirts and pants or skirts past the knees are perfect clothing for visiting Thai temples.
If there is one place where both men and women must dress appropriately, this is it. Otherwise, you risk offending the locals in their place of worship.
Do cover up your shoulders and knees
Men are expected to wear conservative collared shirts and shorts that come to the knee, although pants are preferred. T-shirts are ok, but a dressier shirt, whether short-sleeved or long-sleeved, is preferred.
Women must cover their cleavage and shoulders and wear pants or skirts that are at least knee-length. One of the best pieces of clothing you can pack is a shawl because you can wrap it around your waist or drape it across your shoulders and chest if you are visiting a temple.
Chances are you’ll see a monk at a temple. Monks are highly respected, so keep your head below a monk as you pass by them (duck a little if you’re tall) and do not touch them (especially women).
Don’t dress immodestly
Men shouldn’t go to a temple in a sleeveless shirt or a shirt that’s been left unbuttoned and revealing their chest or belly. Don’t walk in with really short shorts, either.
Women will not be allowed to go into a temple if their shoulders, thighs, or cleavage is showing.
Most of the popular temples provided visitors with free wraps just in case you’ve not covered up enough.
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, you might also like…
First Time Visitor’s
7-Day Guide to Bangkok
This week-long itinerary is a collaboration of the best things to do in Thailand’s capital city plus our personal recommendations for where to stay in Bangkok, best restaurants, transportation, and more.
Fabric Choices
Choosing an outfit based on fabric rather than cut is the best way to stay cool and comfortable.
Do bring lightweight clothing made of quick-wicking material
Natural fabrics such as silk and linen are wonderful to wear in hot climates. Also, some synthetic or semi-synthetic polyester blends are known for being sweat-wicking and quick-drying. They usually stay wrinkle free after packing and washing, too. These are the best! Cotton blends are ok, too, as long as the material is thin.
Stick with clothing that has darker color shades or patterns. Light or bright-colored will easily show dirt. That’s hard to avoid between the constant sweating, stains from Thai food splatters, and the general grime on most surfaces.
Don’t bring jeans or clothes made of 100% cotton
Thais wear jeans, but it’s safe to say that most Westerners aren’t acclimated to the heat and will be waaay too hot. Jeans also take a long time to dry on a clothesline and are heavy in your suitcase. 100% cotton shirts take a long time to dry compared to shirts with cotton blends. They also wrinkle easily and don’t always keep you cool. Leather (faux or real) will give you rashes in places you don’t want.
General Cleanliness
DO: Collared shirts and shirts that cover the shoulders, pants and tasteful skirts.
The general idea of cleanliness is important in Thailand, and that applies both to what you’re wearing and your body.
Do wear clean clothes and shower often
Always be presentable! Wear fresh clean clothes every day and smell fresh (or neutral).
You can easily find laundry facilities in Thailand. Either your hotel or guesthouse will offer those services or there will be coin-operated facilities down the street. Worst comes to worst you can wash your clothes in your sink with a bag of powdered detergent from any 7-Eleven.
Practice good hygiene habits by taking a shower at least once a day (if not twice, even if it’s a quick rinse!) and doubling up on the deodorant. Also, use baby powder to keep your skin dry! Our favorite is the Snake Brand Prickly Heat. Sprinkling a little of it all over your body will prevent heat rashes.
Don’t wear dirty clothing or ignore strong body odor
Don’t wear clothes that are worn out, stained, or holey. Toss them and go to a Thai market and buy a few cheap replacements if necessary.
Smelling bad is considered impolite so don’t go more than a day without taking a shower. Whatever the reason – the heat, last night’s booze fest, or the garlic and cumin in Thai cuisine – chances are you’ll have a funk going on. Don’t ignore it. Go buy deodorant in any of the thousands of 7-Elevens.
Classy and Comfortable is the Way to Go
If you lean towards the modest, classier outfits and clothing made of airy and quick-wicking materials, you can dress appropriately and comfortably. After all, what to wear in Thailand is probably the most important bit of information you’ll want to know as you’re packing your suitcase for your upcoming trip.
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Wonderful post. Thanks for the suggestions on what to wear in Thailand. It was very helpful. Keep sharing!
Leaving for our first trip to Thailand in a few weeks, just double checking this is all still relevant in 2020 before I start packing and repacking and of course packing again lol. Thanks!
As a local myself, this guide is pretty much spot on.
To add on, as Thailand is very hot and you’ll get sweaty easily, PLEASE SHOWER AND WASH CLOTHES!
I personally shower twice a day, and never wear worn cloths (except jeans sometimes).
Sometimes when I sit beside foreigners they have the “sour and rotten” smell, I needed to turned my head away! It was that bad T-T
Thanks for commenting! Yes, it’s a good idea that travelers and expats re-evaluate their showering habits because they will sweat sweat SWEAT!
Hi! I’m going to be spending a week in Koh Lanta and then a few days in Bangkok. I feel like this really covers info about what to wear for Bangkok and the beach etiquette even in Koh Lanta. However, since it is further south- what would your suggestions be for dressing more modestly? Also- I currently have lavender hair and 1/2 my head shaved, I’m sure this would be fine in Bangkok- but will I be ok in Koh Lanta? I’m plus size (size 16 ) so I’m assuming i won’t be able to buy any clothing there aside from maybe a sarong- but I’m bringing a larger one just in case.
Hi! I’m going to be attending a Debate Championship in Bangkok that will be putting on a series of events including a New Years Eve party. The championship organizers don’t really stipulate many dress code rules outside of attendance at debate matches. I’ve already bought a jumpsuit with long sleeves but it has a plunge V-Neck that shows some amount of cleavage. Would that be totally inappropriate?
Yes, a plunging neckline is inappropriate in Thailand, especially in a business setting. May we suggest buying a camisole to wear under the jumpsuit?
What I miss in this nice article is that in rural parts of Thailand a lot of people don’t like t-shirts or caps with skulls on it. Maybe it changed with time but I experienced that a lot of people totally ignored me, and invited me to diner after I changed my clothes. They never told me that it was because of the skulls but the difference in reaction was really big. Also in Laos.
Wow! We had no idea that skulls on your clothes were a bad sign. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thanks for sharing
Hello,
I am traveling to visit my sister in Thailand in October. I was wondering if you have suggestions about packing/luggage, such as a backpack? I not want to bring too much. I will be there for almost 3 weeks. I know we will be in chiang mai for a bit while there.
Hi there.
Great advice and attitude for being a guest in a foreign country, thanks. I am in Chiang Mai and enjoying it. My query relates to a man I have seen several times coming into a restaurant without a shirt. I myself find it confronting and offensive (as you say such people are arrogant and ignorant). I imagine the Thais also are embarrassed and offended but, as you say, don’t indicate any distaste. I am wondering whether i should speak to him about it.
Sawadeekhrap.
ฟิลิป
I agree, you must dress appropriately at the temples, but I lived in Bangkok for a few months. Casual wear is not strict, thai chicks love booty shorts and tank tops. Also, I see loads of Thai men and foreginers wearing tank tops and showing knees. They dress more lose in the major cities of Thailand than they do in California. (I’m a California native) They have a good reason though cus it’s like a 1000% degrees. Also, the Thai that you see wearing longer clothes is often because they don’t want to get dark skin. They are so serious about not wanting dark skin. The rest of the article is pretty standard lol don’t wear dirty clothes..? Ha
You’d think “don’t wear dirty clothes” is an obvious statement, but there are soooo manny foreigners (not short-term tourists, but backpackers and expats) who would’nt spend the extra cash to wash their clothes frequently or to buy new clothes when the ones they have are tattered and stained. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I’m sure this has been asked before, I just can’t find it at the moment – I was thinking of taking a sarong or two for me (male) but realised I was making the typical assumption that men wear something like a sarong! Could you please point me in the right direction of what I could buy to wear that is traditional in Thailand but won’t offend ? I’m not a fan of shorts at times and something more free would be preferred to keep me cooler !
PS Great informative article, thank you !!
If you don’t like shorts, wear pants, but it’s important to choose the right material to keep you cool in hot weather. Choose something lightweight, breathable, and flowy, like linen or a polyester blend.
Burmese men wear “sarongs” (Thailand’s northwest neighbor).
When traveling from the US to Thailand what is the best way to convert money?
Also I was told that we will be able to use our cell phones from the states as long as we buy a phone sim card in Thailand?
Thanks for any help that you could give!
We recommend converting USD to THB once you are in Thailand. You will get a poor rate if you convert it in the USA. Also, convert 100-200 USD at the airport’s currency exchange booths. For the rest of your trip, exchange your money at a Thai bank. Our go-to currency exchange office is Super Rich Money Exchange, which has locations in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
As long as your phone is unlocked and has a removable SIM card, then yes, you can use it in Thailand by popping out your US SIM card and replacing it with a Thai SIM card that you can conveniently buy at a kiosk at whatever international airport you fly into.
Have a wonderful trip!
This is really helpful, thank you very much. We are off to Pattaya for 2 weeks next Spring and I definitely don’t want to do the wrong thing and offend anyone. I think it’s going to be linen, linen, linen all the way for me!
Linen is awesome! Lightweight and breathable. Have a great trip!
I’m planning a trip in December and some sites say not to wear polyester is this true? I have a tunic dress I want to take that’s 35% polyester
We both wore polyester without any issues. Have you wore the dress before and were you comfortable in it? Bring it, we’re sure you’ll be ok. Plus, it’s in the mid-70s in December so you don’t have to worry about polyester melting :)
Im going to be spending two months in Chiang Mai and was wondering if dri-fit/quick-dry shorts (a little above the knee) would be acceptable. Of course I would never wear those to a temple, but would they be acceptable for walking around the city? Thanks.
Absolutely! You’re right – please wear long pants to a temple. Normally, there aren’t any issues with guys wearing shorts around town. Most of the problems we see are guys walking around with their shirts completely unbuttoned showing their chest and belly – or worse – walking around like they were at a beach with no top on!
You’ll be fine! Thanks for asking :)
Thanks for this! It’s embarrassing to occasionally see a tourist walking around barefooted or even shirtless inside Central Plaza. Just because you’re in Thailand doesn’t mean that you don’t have to follow basic social rules! I know it’s probably just a lack of awareness and understanding, though, and I really appreciate you taking the time to write this post in a positive and helpful way.
Gross gross gross! It’s NOT for a traveler’s lack of understanding of Thai dress code. Walking around barefoot is not acceptable ANYWHERE. These people are simply arrogant, attention-seeking, and presumptuous.
Thanks for commenting. We’re glad you like to post. And thank YOU for doing your research before your trip. Have a great time!
Thank you for the post. I’ll be there in a few months for a month long backpacking trip starting in Chang Mai and working my down thru the islands.
Since I plan on traveling thru some smaller towns and less touristie areas it’s important that I’m dressed appropriately.
I plan on longer shorts and short sleeved tops, but Now I am concerned because my upper knees/ lower thighs will be showing. I also planned on living in Teva type sandals and it appears that closed toe shoes are best? Is that correct?
If I am lucky enough to find any beach areas that don’t appear too touristy, what would you reccomend I wear? Would a one piece swim suit be acceptable? You mentioned its a issue near mylasia but I’m not sure which areas you meant exactly.
Thank you so much for your time and advice! As a solo traveling female who will stand out at 5″9 with super pale skin and natural red hair hair I’m stared at even in my home country so I imagine there I will def draw attention without meaning too. I want to avoid all the trouble I can.
Thanks for commenting! We understand your concern about what to wear if you are traveling around Thailand outside of the conventional touristy spots.
Shoes: Open-toed sandals are perfectly acceptable. We only recommend closed toed “slipper” shoes because they keep your feet a lot cleaner.
Shorts: Long shorts going almost to your knees will be ok. Short skimpy shorts are not.
Bathing suits: A one-piece is great. Even two-piece bathing suits are fine, but steer clear of skimpy bikinis with thongs bottoms. I (Angela) always keep a sarong nearby to wrap up in while I’m on the beach doing anything other than laying out (beach combing, buying smoothies, etc), but *especially* use a wrap while you are walking around on sidewalks and around businesses.
I haven’t had any stares or felt uncomfortable when I’ve visited Krabi or Phuket in the Andaman Sea or islands in the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Koh Tao, Koh Phang Nga). However, other places in the Andaman Sea such as Koh Lanta and all areas further south toward Malaysia have a prominent Muslim population and I don’t feel comfortable without wearing my wrap the entire time (except when I’m swimming). …regardless of bathing suit type. That area all the locals either have full body bathing suits (like a wet suit) or they swim in their clothes (jeans and t-shirt).
Hi. Thank you for the info. Do the same rules apply to kids? We are going with our 8 year old son – to Bangkok and Phuket. Thanks
We’ve seen kids with sleeveless shirts and shorts go into temples without a problem. These rules are less strict with children.
What temperatures can we expect in late February and March in Chang Mau, and what should we bring to account for lower temperatures. We want to travel light so as to be able to get around without dragging cases.
We’ve included some weather charts in another post, “When is the best time to visit Thailand?” Generally speaking, it will be warm/hot in the day and cool at night, so definitely bring at least one long sleeved shirt/light jacket and at least one pair of pants.
Evening wear? A Maxi dress with thin straps is unacceptable?
Wear a thin, semi-seethrough shaw over your shoulders :)
hi i am from india exactly from jammu and kashmir i m visiting thailand on 6 jan.can u give me some important suggestions about the thailand
Please look at the travel prep section of our blog for important travelings suggestions.
Hi!
I was just wondering why vest tops for girls are such a big no no?
Every culture has different definitions as to what is appropriate to wear. In India, you can show your stomach all day but can’t show your legs. In Thailand, you aren’t supposed to show your cleavage or your shoulders. We don’t know why this is the case, but we are sharing our experience so that travelers can be educated and respect local culture.
Sleeveless shirts are unacceptable to wear for women AND men. This means don’t wear wifebeaters/singlets/spaghetti strap shirts/vest tops. However, it is ok if the “sleeveless” strap is very wide and the material comes to the very edge of your shoulders. Have a great trip!
Hi, im moving to thailand to be a teacher. And i absolutely haaaaate wearing short sleeve clothes. and with the humidity, i dont know what to do. I’ve packed tshirt dresses, but a lot of casual wear is like racer back tank tops, and racer back dresses and shorts. or i have the cute high neck, but spegehtti strap dresses. with 3/4th of my wardrobe, it shows my shoulders. what would happen to me?
Nothing will happen to you. Thais are non-confrontational and won’t say or do anything about what you’re wearing. The exception will be that you may be denied entrance into a local temple if you don’t follow the dress code (covered knees, chest, and shoulders.) It’d be silly to ask you to get rid of the majority of your wardrobe. At the very least, we’d recommend getting rid of the shirts that blatantly show your bra straps.
Remember: When you teach, you’ll have to wear collared short sleeve shirts. Shoulder showing is an absolute no-no.
Thank you for this! My son is an American who has been teaching English in a public school in a town south of Chiang Rai for the last two years. I finally summoned the nerve to visit him, and would like to know if you have any suggestions for an appropriate gift for his girlfriend, who is native Thai, and her parents. She is in her early 20’s, parents are probably in their 40’s.
We suggest bringing an inexpensive give that showcases something special in America. Our go-to is food or snacks. Who says no to food? Thais don’t! Give something that’s unique from your state or from the US in general. For example, girls scout cookies (USA) or a special candy or snack made in your hometown (salt water taffy or caramel Fisher’s Popcorn from Ocean City.) For your son’s girlfriend, maybe ask him what phone she has and buy her a cute phone accessory such as a cellphone ring stand or a cell phone charm. Hope you have a wonderful trip to Chiang Rai!
I’m traveling to Thailand in June and wasn’t sure if I needed to buy a wall outlet converter for my US electronics.
A plug adapter “adapts” to a different plug shape and is small and lightweight. These you can find for 1 USD at most 7-11 stores (or other convenience stores like Tesco or FamilyMart). Don’t worry about buying one in the US.
A converter “converts” the electricity from 100/120 V to 220/240 V or vice versa so that electronics can properly work and can be quite bulky and expensive. As fellow Americans, our best advice is to pack dual voltage electronics such as a laptop, iPad, or phone and leave your single voltage electronics such as a hair straighter or electric razor in the USA. If you aren’t sure, just Google the model of your electronic in question. Most hotels have blow dryers. Otherwise, you’ll blow out your electronic.
Stupid question time… can i wear an open shirt over a t-shirt?
Yup
Thank you… there may be more questions later :)
It’s worth it to note that Thai women often (usually?) wear shorts under their skirts. I also see very few Thais wearing the skimpier bathing suits, so if you want to dress like the locals at the pool or beach, check out the shops selling swimwear (not tourist swimwear)– often skirted bottoms or even capris, board shorts, rash guards with both long and short sleeves, etc. are common. Some Thais even just swim in normal clothes. (Covering up more has the added benefit of some additional sun protection. It’s mostly the tourists you’ll see hanging out in the sun; Thai people will often cover up or sit in the shade. Sometimes Thais don’t understand that some of us come from places where sun and warmth are a luxury!)
Also, in Bangkok at least, people tend to dress a bit less casually than you might see in the U.S. and Canada. If I am wearing casual trousers and a t-shirt (as a woman), I am dressed “appropriately” but I don’t necessarily match the Thai women. (A tout once told me, “I told {another tout} you don’t have much money because…” and motioned to my clothes.) There are always exceptions, but this is as a general rule. Wearing skirts/dresses, pants dressier than hiking or cargo pants, tops besides t-shirts, etc. might make you blend in better if that matters to you.
Flat shoes are perfectly okay, though. You can see Thai women in skirts wearing ballet-flat styled shoes/flat sandals, or sometimes even sneakers.
Hi there,
I am going to Thailand in September to teach for a year (or more) and I was curious if you had any suggestions as to what specific brands of shirts and pants for men to wear. If you had any websites or stores to suggest where I can buy these items as well that would be fantastic!
Hi Chad. We provided links to our suggested clothing in the post. Just look for the lime green ‘our top pick’ arrows.
We’ll be visiting Thailand in a few weeks and I was wondering if it’s appropriate for women to wear sports wear in Thailand? Mainly thinking about football tops?
Loose and airy, football tops sounds quite comfortable! Go for it.
We DON’T recommend wearing sportswear that is super clingy (sports bra with no top, yoga pants that hug e’erwhere), especially to temples.
Have a great trip!
So I take it sleeveless summer dresses are out? I have some cute ones that are not too short or tight (more flowy) but they are sleeveless. I know I would need to cover my shoulders if I enter a temple,but what about just walking around? There’s no cleavage at all because they hook around the back of the neck.
Sleeveless is ok as long as they aren’t spaghetti strap or really thin. However, if you wear them to a temple, just be sure you have something to wrap around your shoulders because it does matter there. Flowy dresses are the best. Sounds like you’ll be ok!
Do like some Thai women and drape a lightweight scarf/shawl around your shoulders.
Should I be concerned about wearing recognizable brands i.e. Nikes or Ray Bans? Just wondering if they might make me a target for pick pockets, etc.
Thanks!
No, not at all. Thailand isn’t a country where you have to be hyper alert when it comes to petty street crime like you do, say, in a place like Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Thanks for the tips! It eased a lot of worries I had!
You’re very welcome! Thanks for reading.
No v neck , or no cleavage? I am not sure what that means? I never have the girls showing while wearing a v neck . Is it still ok? How about dresses that go to my knee, or should they be longer? I am 5″10 and wear a size 6 , I know I will still be too big for any of the clothes sold there. Do you think I could still buy rings or are they still too small?? I wear a 6 on my ring finger. I am scared to eat the food, been looking into the food stores, it looks as if they have everything I could ever need to make my own meals. Is there a store you liked the most ?
V-necks are fine (any shape is, really) just as long as your cleavage isn’t showing. As far as the length of your dresses and shorts, they can be pretty short, so yes above the knee is fine, just not so short where your booty is hanging out at the bottom! The exception about the length of shorts is if you went to non-touristy areas (aka, not Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, etc) – we insist you dress more conservatively. We think you are right on the cusp of fitting the clothes from the markets (maybe some of the really airy, flowy skirts or shirts may fit) but you can still buy clothing at malls. PS You have tiny fingers, so you’ll be able to find rings!
If you are worried about the street food, read our post about staying safe when you eat from the food stalls. We like shopping at Rimping, which is an international store with branches only in Chiang Mai, but otherwise, we do most of our shopping at our local Thai outdoor market.
Hi! I am planning a trip to Thailand in July – in Chiang Mai we will be hiking to a temple and I’m not sure what to wear. I need to be covered up for the temple but comfortable enough to hike a few miles. I know that leggings are typically too tight, but would this be an exception? What do you recommend for this situation?
Thanks for reaching out and asking. You’re right, normally we wouldn’t recommend wearing leggings as daytime wear, but wearing workout clothes is a bit different since there isn’t much of an option for women aside from stretch spandex pants. A great alternative is to wear thin, knee-length leggings and then wear a light pair of workout shorts over top (no matter how short, since you have the leggings on). And a t-shirt, not a sleeveless shirt. Hope this helps and again, thanks for asking when you weren’t sure!
What about hiking trousers? If you get too hot while hiking, they can always be rolled up, then unrolled when you get to the temple.
Honestly, I just always wear long trousers. I’m used to it by now. Just make sure they’re lightweight and airy.
How do thais feel about colored hair? And piercings? My hair is currently purple and I’ll be visiting soon!
You shouldn’t have a problem in the touristy areas. Thais are generally nice and in places where A LOT of foreigners travel they aren’t shocked so much by differences in appearance. You will get stares, but you know that already – just smile back! Have fun!
Are running shoes ok for my husband and a pair of Toms for me? I was planning on wearing my Toms for most of the walking/temples, etc and sandals (Tevas) for the beach and some other sightseeing (Erawan Falls). I’ve also read that it’s faux pas for women over 40 to wear pants. I don’t own anything but! I will buy a sarong when I get to Koh Lanta. Thanks for the post – I’ve read it more than once!
Toms and Tevas are absolutely fine and actually preferable to flimsy flip-flops. It’s important that you’re comfortable while walking if you’re doing a lot of touring. As far as women wearing pants, we’d maaaaaybe suggest that if you were to travel around a very remote region of Thailand (say, certain villages in Isaan) but if you are visiting major cities and sites, pants are totally ok! Thanks for coming back to the site :)
Thanks for the tips, very helpful indeed! You mentioned that guys can wear collared t-shirts or preferably shirts. Do you mean round-necked t-shirts are frowned upon, especially in temple visits? Thanks.
Crew or v-neck shirts are absolutely acceptable to wear and are not necessarily frowned upon in temples. It’s just that collared shirts appear dressier, and erring on the dressier side is better since a temple is a sacred and respected place. If you wear a T-shirt, make sure it’s clean, doesn’t have profanity on it, and it has sleeves. It sounds obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many guys walk into temples wearing dirty beer-labeled singlets…
Planning a two month trip in SE Asia with my partner, and I’m SO glad you made this blog post. The more I look at pictures of my ‘friends’ who have been to Thailand, the more I’m like “Whhhhyyy are you dressing so disrespectfully?” Very helpful, so thanks for making it!
Can I ask what you think of pairing a quick dry button up with a maxi skirt? That seems ideal for staying cool because then I can pair the skirt with a tshirt, and the button up with some pants on another day.
A comfy button up shirt with a maxi skirt is a great combo. Good for pairing up with other items for different outfits, too, like you said.
Thanks for getting back to me! My trip will be much better because of your blog!
What is the reaction like to piercings and non-traditional hair colors?
Wonderful post! I learned the hard way when backpacking in Guatemala that despite hot weather, dress is very conservative. I showed up with a pack full of shorts and tank tops, to find women only wore skirts and tops that covered their shoulders. Posts like these save travelers a whole lot of embarrassment, and are much appreciated!
Thanks a bunch! We’re hoping to prevent some awkward moments. Hands down the biggest mistake we see female travelers and vacationers do in Thailand is wear shirts that are too low and display cleavage, esp at temples! Thanks for reading :)
My mom learned the hard way in *Egypt* in the 70s in her short-shorts… ouch. (Not nearly as much info out there back then!)
Well I’ll take it as an excuse to go shopping. Thanks!
Awesome article. My husband and I are prepping for a winter trip and I can’t wait to share this with him. What are your thoughts on leggings or athletic capris? Too tight?
Good question. Pair the leggings with a cute skirt but don’t wear them on their own – yes, too tight.
My daughter will be living and working in a small town after 3 months in Bangkok. Do these rules apply there as well or does she need to go a little more conservative?
Ditch the short shorts/skirts (stick with clothing closer to the knee than farther away). Otherwise, everything else holds true. Hope she has fun!
What’s the deal, the budha shows shoulder, why can’t we?
Haha, ah touché!
3rd time is a charm. I’m afraid I’m at fault for a couple of items on the “Don’t” list. Third trip coming 2017, I’ll do it RIGHT :)
We think we’re all guilty of that at first. Glad to see you are doing research this time around :)
great. I don’t know what to wear in Thailand. I will go there next month. thanks
You’re welcome. Have fun!
Hey guys, husband and I have finally made it over permanently now from Australia to our little villa we have built in Chumphon (you may remember assisting us with sizes of your house some time back). Thanks for the hint on Snake brand dusting powder in this article, it is excellent even for my sensitive skin and will save us a fortune on having a zinc powder shipped from OZ on a regular basis. Cheers HelenD
Way cool! So glad you have your house. It’s a great layout, isn’t it? We didn’t realize the Snake Brand was good for sensitive skin. Good to know. We just knew it smelled and felt nice :)
Great article. Thanks for the tips! I am traveling in March and looking to pack a pair of pants for the sole purpose of temple hopping. If I bring athletic-style pants, would this satisfy the requirement? Thank you.
Yup, that works. The light fabric will be better suited than something heavier since March is the beginning of the hot & dry season. Have a great trip!
You are sooo right!
Haha, we wish more people took our advice!
Great points, we leave for Singapore and Chiang Mai in a few weeks. Bottom line, use common sense.
Haha, some people just don’t have enough! That or they assume that how they dress in their own country is how they can do it here. It’s best to do your research…
Great tips! I haven’t been to Thailand but traveled to many other countries. Wearing culturally appropriate clothes makes you easily blend in and earn the respect of the locals. Also less likely to be targeted for pick pocketing.
Respect is key! Although Angela’s blonde hair makes her stand out, at least she’s not getting gawked inappropriately at or the phrase “farang kee nok – bird shit foreigner” muttered at her out of earshot. Wearing culturally appropriate clothing is such an easy thing to do in Thailand, it’s a wonder not more people do it.
I have to wear some clothes not suitable for Thailand I get tore up from mosquitos I have to use too much spray and smoke when I eat outdoors but what else can I do? I love Thailand and go twice a year .Take care Bill
Now you tell me.
lol
Great post! I plan on traveling to Thailand next year so these tips were quite helpful :)
Katie
Glad to have helped!