[forotis]

If you want to visit the king's palace in BKK make sure you are dressed appropriately, no shorts, jeans etc, Guards at the entrance stop everybody who isn't. However, there is a place right there where you can rent a passin (sarong). I was surprised our Thai "niece" didn't know better and was turned away because of her jeans. Maybe it was the holes in it. During our Peace Corps training I was reprimanded by our ajarn (teacher) for wearing Birks without back straps when we went to the village elementary school for language training. Rules for women are stricter as pointed out by others here.

BTW: Thai culture is an important part of US Peace Corps training since volunteers are considered to represent our country.