If you are planning your very first visit to the Land of Smiles, this article will help you to pack the right clothing, items that are suitable for a tropical climate and are also culturally acceptable. Unless you are heading to the northern part of Thailand in the winter months (November to February), you won’t need warm clothing. Temperatures rarely drop below 18C and aside from the winter, you can expect temperatures in the thirties.
Here are a few tips on what to wear in Thailand.
• Polo shirts – For smart casual wear, polo shirts are perfect; most people buy these locally when they arrive, which is cheaper than in your home country. Local markets have top brand copies for just a few dollars and when visiting Buddhist temples or upmarket restaurants, this is ideal attire.
• Cotton T-shirts – It is too hot to wear much else, especially in a beach environment and these are also sold locally and are very cheap. Clothes dry very fast in Thailand, so you can handwash your favourite clothes and they will be dry within an hour.
• Smart shorts – Take a couple of pairs for evenings out; cargo shorts are great because they have deep pockets. Beach shorts are also worth packing, light cotton is ideal in a tropical climate.
• Thin long trousers – Elephant pants are perfect for evenings, as they offer protection against mosquitos, while also protecting your legs from the hot sun.
• Denim jeans – Check out these stylish Nudie jeans from a leading Thai clothing retailer, which are ideal for casual wear in the evenings. Jeans are always going to be in fashion and packing at least one pair of jeans is recommended.
• Headwear – Wearing a hat is a good idea to protect your head and neck from the burning sun. You can buy baseball caps at local Thai markets if you don’t have any in your wardrobe.
• Wet weather shoes – If you visit Thailand in the monsoon season, wear flip-flops as it can rain at any time and flash floods are normal. If you are not happy with your lifestyle, here are a few positive things you can do to improve the quality of your life.
Dressing conservatively
Thai people are very self-conscious and appearance matters, especially on formal occasions. Females should wear garments that cover the shoulders, while skirts should be knee length when visiting sacred sites. Of course, men can be topless on the beach but please wear a shirt when doing shopping, as this will not offend the Thai people.
It is customary to remove your shoes before entering a building, so wearing slip-on shoes is better than wearing lace-ups. You should check out the Tourism Authority of Thailand website to get information about tourist attractions to visit. Thailand is a great place to buy clothing; you could have a few business suits made along with some business shirts, which is much cheaper than in your home country.
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