Dressing for Temples

In the rich cultural heritage of Thailand, dressing guidelines when visiting temples and sacred sites is important in showing respect for the country’s religion. If you don’t follow the clothing rules, you can be prompted and rejected to enter the temples by the holders. To maintain a comfortable and respectful environment, tourists should follow the clothing tips below:

  • Foreign visitors must wear modest clothing and cover shoulders and head with a headscarf.

  • Should not put on more make-up and big jewelry. 

  • Male guests can wear classic shirts with long pants or jeans.

  • Female guests can prefer long skirts or pants, long-sleeved blouses or shirts.

  • At some places, visitors should leave slippers outside before entering.

  • Avoid wearing short pants, short-sleeved shirts, revealing and too tight outfits.

  • If you wear short pants, you need to buy or rent a sarong to wrap before going inside. The price ranges from 100 Baht (~ 2.92 USD) - 250 Baht (~ 7.30 USD).

  • The cost of renting traditional costumes at Thai temples range from 200 Baht (~ 5.84 USD) per set.

what to wear in thailand

 A nice style of visitors when they come to Thailand temple

Dressing for Evenings and Nightlife 

Nightlife in Thailand promises a vibrant and attractive world but it also requires dress care. To engage in a relaxed and enjoyable way, you should explore the environment and space that you plan to visit before choosing your outfit. Contrary to the daytime, in the evening you can wear more comfortable clothes and freely express your personal style. However, it is still worth noting about respect for local culture and rules. 

  • Choose a personalized, polite and minimalist but not too revealing outfit.

  • When participating in local cultural activities, it is recommended to choose discreet clothing and respect Thai traditions.

  • You should choose spandex and sporty outfits for ease of movement on the street such as T-shirts, shorts, maxi dresses, sandals and trainers.

what to wear in thailand

You can have freestyle when entering Thailand's nightlife 

Dressing for Beach 

This country is famous for beautiful islands and beach tourism. In fact, Thai people only focus on dressing in sacred places so when swimming, you can enjoy wearing swimwear, bikinis or also putting a scarf on the outside. However, when walking around the beach, dressing too sexy is not recommended due to some reasons.

Cultural Respect: Thailand has a traditional culture that values modesty and gender respect. Wearing revealing clothing might be considered disrespectful and inappropriate according to local customs.

Women in Public: For women, dressing too revealingly on the beach may attract unwanted attention and offend both locals and other tourists.

Disturbing Others: Dressing inappropriately may disturb and make others uncomfortable, especially in crowded tourist areas and beaches.

Legal Issues: Wearing revealing clothing could potentially violate Thailand's public decency laws, leading to legal consequences for the individual involved.

what to wear in thailand beach

Female visitor prefer wearing maxi dress on Thailand beach

Dressing for Thai Festivals 

Thailand’s diverse culture beckons you to an unforgettable journey. There are several important festivals held at different times throughout the year. For example:

  • Songkran (Thai New Year ): 13th -15th of April.

  • Loy Krathong (honor the river goddess): November.

  • Yi Peng (Lantern festival): the end of November.

  • Asanha Bucha Day (Thai Buddhist festival): the middle of July or August.

In addition, international visitors can have the wonderful opportunity to immerse themself in the rich cultural heritage by wearing traditional Thai clothing. Here are 6 traditional outfits that travelers might consider trying:

Chang Pha Phom - traditional Thai men’s outfit consists of a buttoned-up shirt with a stand-up collar and wide sleeves. It is often paired with comfortable pants.

Chut Thai Phra Ratcha Niyom - traditional women's dress, features a long-sleeved blouse and a long skirt.

Sabai - a scarf worn by women over the shoulder, adding a touch of gracefulness to their attire.

Pa Kow Ma - a decorative cloth that wraps around the waist and is commonly worn over traditional Thai pants.

Pha Sin - a strikingly colorful and intricately woven cloth often worn as a wrap-around skirt by Thai women.

Pa Hom - a beautifully patterned traditional shawl is draped over the shoulders or worn as a headscarf.

Thailand's female traditional costume - Chut Thai Phra Ratcha Niyom

Thailand's female traditional costume - Chut Thai Phra Ratcha Niyom

Information about traditional costume rentals can be found in major tourist areas such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. The cost of renting the outfit ranges from around 200 Baht (~ 5.84 USD) - 500 Baht (~ 14.60 USD) per set. Visitors can delight in choosing and experiencing the beauty of traditional Thai costumes when participating in the unique activities and festivals of this country.

Thailand's male traditional costume - Chang Pha Phom

Thailand's male traditional costume - Chang Pha Phom

Essential Items for Hot Weather 

When traveling to Thailand, especially during hot and humid weather, it's essential to be well-prepared with the right items to stay comfortable and protected. Here are some essential items you should consider bringing:

Lightweight and breathable clothing: Pack loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics like cotton or linen to stay cool and comfortable.

Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat: Protect your skin from the intense tropical sun.

Water bottle: Stay hydrated throughout the day by carrying a refillable water bottle and drinking plenty of water.

Insect repellent: Protect yourself from mosquito bites and other insects.

Light rain jacket: Be prepared for sudden rain showers by carrying a compact and lightweight rain jacket or poncho.

Sandals or comfortable walking shoes: choose breathable and comfortable footwear, like sandals or lightweight sneakers, for exploring and sightseeing.

Tissue or wipes: used to wipe sweat and clean.

Travel umbrella: A compact travel umbrella can come in handy during unexpected rain or to provide shade from the sun.

What to Wear in Thailand

Don’t miss the sun glasses when traveling to Thailand

We’re delighted that you’re still here with us, discovering the captivating world of What to wear in Thailand. In this post, we introduce the dress code when entering the temples, festivals and participating in nightlife. Furthermore, there is some information about kinds of traditional costumes and items that need to be prepared during summer vacation. Hope you enjoy this sharing and please keep in mind our note for your next Thailand trip.