The Temple Dress Code Explained

Visiting the magnificent temples of Bangkok, such as Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and the Grand Palace, is a highlight of any trip to Thailand. However, these are active places of worship and have strict dress codes enforced by guards at the entrance. If you arrive dressed inappropriately, you will be turned away or forced to rent overpriced, unwashed clothes. Here is what you need to know.

The Basic Rule: Shoulders and Knees

The fundamental rule for both men and women is that your shoulders and knees must be completely covered.

• Tops: Tank tops, spaghetti straps, halter tops, and anything that exposes your midriff or cleavage are strictly forbidden. You must wear a shirt with sleeves (a standard t-shirt is perfectly fine). A sheer or see-through top will also be rejected.
• Bottoms: Shorts, miniskirts, and ripped jeans are not allowed. You must wear long pants or a skirt/dress that falls well below the knee. Tight yoga pants or leggings are sometimes rejected at the Grand Palace, so it’s safer to wear loose-fitting pants.

The “Elephant Pants” Solution

A common strategy for tourists is to buy a pair of cheap, lightweight rayon “elephant pants” from a street vendor outside the temple for about 100-150 THB. You can slip these on over your shorts right before entering the temple, and take them off as soon as you leave.

The Scarf Trick (Proceed with Caution)

While many guidebooks suggest simply draping a pashmina scarf over your bare shoulders, this is increasingly being rejected by guards, particularly at the Grand Palace. They require actual sleeves. Do not rely on a scarf; bring a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt to throw over your tank top instead.

Footwear

You will need to take your shoes off before entering the actual temple buildings (where the Buddha statues are housed). Slip-on shoes or sandals are highly recommended so you don’t have to constantly tie and untie laces. Wearing socks is optional but recommended if you are uncomfortable walking barefoot on floors where thousands of other people have walked.