What to Wear in Thailand?

You’ve been getting ready for Thailand for a while now, planning this trip, and you’ve finallymanaged to book it. All that’s left is topack your suitcase, but what should go in it? What’s the weather usually like in Thailand? Let’s see how to pack andwhat to wear in Thailand.

Travel Light

The first rule is definitely totravel light!Whether your goal is a beach-only holiday or an adventure trip with long treks, remember that Thailand’s climate is tropical. Sowear light clothing, ideally natural fibres.

Quokka Tip:in Thailand it’s actually worth travelling with a half-empty suitcase, because shopping is excellent! You’ll find especially great deals in clothing!

Before thinking about what to pack, think about what kind of trip you’re planning. Will you spend all your time on the beach and snorkelling? Just trekking through the forest, or heading up north to see the temples? Or will your holiday be dedicated to museums and shopping malls in Bangkok?

Let’s look at some general rules that apply across all of Thailand:

• avoid tank tops and crop tops in public places, in some places it’s actually forbidden and you won’t be let in;
• avoid overly heavy clothing, opt for a light waterproof jacket instead;
• comfortable, versatile shoes, you’ll do a lot of walking so you need comfortable footwear, but remember Thailand is a very hot country.

Tips for Women

Women have many more clothing options, but it’s also easier to “go wrong” by wearing something inappropriate. If you don’t want to appear too flashy or vulgar in the eyes of Thai people, keep these simple rules in mind:

• avoidoverly short shorts;
• avoidtank tops, crop tops and low-cut t-shirts in public places, in some temples it’s actually forbidden and you won’t be let in;
• avoidsheer clothing or t-shirts;
• pack ashawl, it can be useful in countless situations: to cover up if it’s chilly in the evening, or to cover your shoulders to enter a temple or the Royal Palace in Bangkok;
• bring a pair ofharem pants, they’re very well suited: being ankle-length, they’re ideal for visiting temples.

Tips for Men

It’s always a bit easier for guys, since there’s less choice and it’s harder to go wrong! Even so, a few common mistakes happen in Thailand. Wherever in Thailand you’re headed, remember:

• don’t walk around bare-chested, not even coming back from the beach;
• don’t drivea car or scooterwithout a t-shirt on: it’s illegal;
• bring a pair of light long trousersor you’ll be forced to buy them, which is exactly what happened to us at the entrance of the Royal Palace in Bangkok.

Depending on the Season

Thailand has atropicalclimate, with three distinct seasons: a very hot season from March to mid-May, a rainy season driven by thesouth-west monsoon, generally running from mid-May to October, and a dry, relatively cool season from November to February, when thenorth-east monsoon, coming from inland Asia, prevails. The cool weather is felt mostly in the north and inland areas, while the coast and the south stay warm even in winter.
In the southern peninsular region, home to renowned beaches and resorts, the rainy season follows a somewhat different pattern than in the mainland region.

It’s therefore important to pack what you need depending on the season you’ll be travelling in, keeping in mind that:

• in the rainy season humidity is genuinely high, solight, breathable fabricsare essential, ideally natural fibres;
• in the humid season, better to wearlong trousers and long-sleeved topsto protect yourself from mosquitoes;
• always bring, in any season, awaterproof jacket or a small umbrella, rain and storms are common in Thailand, even if just for a few hours;
• in the dry season evenings can be a bit cooler, so it’s good to bring asweatshirt or a slightly heavier top.

By Region

The climate varies slightly from region to region in Thailand, and so does the dress code.

If your trip is heading to island destinations likePhuket, the vibe here is more relaxed, and being such a famous tourist spot, locals are used to seeing pretty much anything, helped along by the very hot climate and beach lifestyle.

In northern Thailand, on the other hand, home toChiang Mai and Chiang Rai, the temperature swing between day and night is greater, especially between October and March, so you’ll need to pack heavier clothing if travelling during that period.

By Activity

What to wear should also be chosen based on the type of holiday you’ve planned:

At the Beach

If the main goal of the trip is Thailand’s beach destinations, don’t forget your swimsuit and flip-flops, of course, but also remember tocover up before leaving the beach! The same goes for a boat trip or a drink at a beach bar: we suggest men bring a t-shirt to wear over swim trunks, while women might want a light dress, easy to slip on and off whenever needed.

At Temples

As with any place of worship, some basic rules apply to everyone. You’ll need tocover your shoulders and knees, and it would bepreferable to cover your anklestoo, so plan on a pair of long trousers. A t-shirt is fine on top, plus a shawl or stole to wrap around your shoulders during the visit. It’s also a good idea to wearclosed shoes, so a pair of trainers works well, and they’re handy for long walks too.

For Trekking

If you’ve booked a jungle excursion in search of elephants, remember to bringlong, comfortable trousersto help keep mosquitoes at bay. On top we suggest along-sleeved top in a breathable fabric, and pack a slightly heavier jacket in case it gets cold. In any case, it’s always worth checking the weather conditions of the area where you’ll be trekking ahead of time.

Around Bangkok

Bangkok is a big metropolis, so picture yourself in a tropicalNew York. As in any major city,daytime clothing is mostly casual, but if you’re planning a stop at an exclusive skybar, wear somethingappropriate for the occasion. Either way, people in Bangkok are pretty open-minded, so there’s no issue walking around in shorts and a t-shirt. As mentioned earlier, just pay closer attention when visiting temples and the Royal Palace.

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Frequently Asked Questions About What to Wear in Thailand