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What to Wear to Thailand Temples (Dress Code + Tips)

What to Wear to Thailand Temples (Dress Code + Tips)

Are you wondering what to wear to temples in Thailand? Have questions about the Thailand temple dress code? In this guide we aim to answer all the questions you may have to help you be respectful in these holy places alongside some Thailand temple outfit inspiration.

Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Is there a Thailand Temple Dress Code?

Woman at Thai Temple - What to Wear to Thailand Temples (Dress Code + Tips)
Woman at Woman at Thai Temple – What to Wear to Thailand Temples (Dress Code + Tips) Temple – What to wear at Thailand Temples

Although Thailand is a very liberal country in terms of outfits and there are very few places where there is a formal dress code, the one place where you could cause offence with the wrong outfit is in Thai temples.

And actually as you are at the entrance too many of the popular Thai temples that are frequented by tourists will actually have signs in regards to appropriate dress code.

As such the Thailand Temple Dress code consists of:

  • keep your shoulders covered
  • keep your knees covered
  • don’t wear anything overly revealing.

And although the rules state that you keep your knees covered it is preferential to be covered down to your ankles.

Also it is worth pointing out that this dress code is applicable to men as well as women. Whenever we put together these dress code posts we find that many people have assumptions that modest dress codes only applies to women, especially at religious sites (I,e, Angkor Wat, Italian churches, Vatican City, temples in Bali and Mosques in Middle East and the Blue Mosque in Turkey for instance). However this is not the case. The dress code is equally applicable to men as well as women.

Keep reading for more some outfit inspiration for what to wear in Thai temples.

What not to wear in temples in Thailand?

Now you know what the dress code is I wanted to draw your attention to what not to wear in temples in Thailand.

The following is not deemed appropriate clothing at most temples in Thailand:

  • Short shorts that don’t cover the knee
  • Short Skirts or Mini Skirts that don’t cover the knee
  • Long Skirts or maxi skirts with large slits that reveal the knee
  • Ripped jeans
  • See Through Clothing
  • Vest tops and Strappy tops
  • Tight clothing and tight trousers
  • revealing tops and
  • Leggings

Can I wear shorts in Thai temple?

You can not wear shorts in Thai temples that reveal the knee. Men are better to select a long pair of trousers that cover to the ankle in natural fabrics and women are better to dress in Maxi dresses, maxi skirts or trousers in natural fabrics.

Can you wear leggings to Thai temple?

Leggings are not allowed to be worn in Thai temples. This is because it breaks the rules regarding tight fitting clothing.

Instead of leggings you should opt for loose trousers in natural fabrics or long length skirts or dresses.

What are the best shoes for Thai temples?

Perhaps the biggest confusion regarding what to wear to temples in Thailand is regarding footwear.

It is true that you will be asked to remove your shoes at the entrance to Thai temples out of respect. Therefore you will want to wear shoes that are easy to slip on and slip off such as sandals with good arch support or elasticated sneakers rather than lace up shoes.

Can I wear socks at temples in Thailand?

And now that we have talked about shoes we will turn our attention to socks and more specifically “Can you wear sock at temples in Thailand?”.

And the answer is yes you can. Although you will asked to remove your shoes out of respect, socks are fine to be worn.

What to Wear in Thailand Temples

Woman at Thai Temple - Thailand temple dress code
Woman at Thai Temple – Thailand temple dress code

Now we have told you what the dress code is in Thai temples, we will turn our attention to outfit inspirations for what to wear in Thailand temples for women and men.

What to Wear in Thailand Temples for Women

Maxi Dress

Whenever I travel to a hot country, whether that be in Asia or the Middle East, my go to item of clothing is a maxi dress.

Just be sure when you buy one to go to the Thai temple that the dress you have covers your shoulders and doesn’t have a high slit that reveals the knee.

If you buy a short sleeve one I would recommend wearing this with a pashmina for extra modesty.

Click here to shop Maxi Dresses.

Or if you prefer separates you could opt for a maxi skirt and t shirt paired with a pashmina.

Trousers

As soon as you get to Thailand especially if you land in Bangkok and are heading to a Bangkok temple you will be bound to see tourists wearing harem style pants.

These are very popular with tourists in Thailand as you can pick them up locally cheaply and the loose fit make them perfect for keeping you cool.

Pashmina

I would always carry a pashmina whenever I visit a religious site. They are great ways of adding extra modesty when in religious sites and are a good extra layer to help shield you from the sun.

However please do not wear a strappy top and think a pashmina is enough to cover you up. This is not appropriate.

Sun hat and Sunglasses.

Though it is respectful to take your sun hat off when going inside, for walking around the temple complex I would advise taking a hat and sunglasses to help protect you from the strong Thailand sun.

Socks

As you will be asked to remove your socks when you enter a temple I like to have socks on. This is helpful to keep your feet clean.

However I would advise packing socks with some grip. The surfaces of temples can be very slippy so socks with a grip are good for safety.

I have a child who is at the age that we go to trampoline parties so I use the socks that we are given at trampoline parks when I go but there are plenty of grip socks on Amazon.

Click here to buy socks with grip.

Slip on Shoes

Slip on shoes are best for Thai temples. That is because you will be required to take shoes on and off frequently as you come in and out of buildings.

You could wear sandals however I prefer slip on sandals as they have better grips for walking around the city and temple complex but this is personal choice.

What to wear in Temples in Thailand for Men

It is important to remember when looking at what to wear in temples in Thailand for men that you stick to the dress code rules as much as women.

Therefore we recommend:

Long Cotton or Linen Trousers

These fabrics will keep you cool which is important as it can get very hot inside the temple complex.

Long Sleeve T Shirt or Button Down Long Sleeve Shirts

This is the most respectful top for men in temples in Thailand.

Sun hat and Sunglasses.

Though it is respectful to take your sun hat off when going inside, for walking around the temple complex I would advise taking a hat and sunglasses to help protect you from the strong Thailand sun.

Slip on Shoes and Socks with Grips.

FAQs about Thai temple dress code

What do you wear to Bangkok temples?

The rules for Bangkok temples are the same as the general Thai temple Dress code we discussed above.

These are the rules for The Grand Palace and The Emerald Buddha Image Temple (Wat Phrakaew).

What is the Ayutthaya Temple Dress Code

Ayutthaya has some of the most impressive temples in the whole of Thailand. And even though some of the Ayutthaya temples are ruins it is important to remember that they are still functioning temples.

As such the dress code should be adhered to through the temple complex.

Have you been to a Thai temple? What did you wear? And if you have any other comments of the Thailand temple dress code let us know in the comments and we will do our best to get back to you quickly.