[L8fGLM4d]

Jenhan, were you a visitor at that school? I guess then it is ok for a day. you would not get away with it as an employee. as a student at a language school, yes.

[jinnamys]

Not many can explain much of anything to this young woman. She knows everything!

You're right, the monk, in classic Thai style, probably used the mai pen rai card. Unfortunately, the overuse of this is contributing to the growing resentment of foreigners.

How one presents oneself will make the difference between being welcomed, or simply tolerated.

I think we (ie: Farangs who love Thailand) have a duty to try and gently guide some other visitors in the right direction regarding things like clothes, manner of speech etc.

Thai people tell me they are mostly just bemused about visitors whose conduct shows a complete lack of respect but I think you are right that some are quite angry about it.

[jinnamys]

As far as internet recommendations go, I like to use this example:



This is a photo of a girl who, in her blogs and forum entries, professes deep knowledge of Thai culture and sensibilities. I'm sure she would say shorts and strappy tops are fine!

If she is not Thai, then the monk has probably thought: "Mai bpen rai, she just doesn't understand Thai culture." And she probably wouldn't have had anyone attempt to explain her faux pas to her.

[Carfanate]

I love reading all this. hahahaha And yes I'm not looking to see what I can get away with PERSAY... I mean I don't dress really revealing anyway. But I do think there is a bit more class in Thailand.

[iNYZgxNC]

I wore jeans to the Grand Palace and to a thai school in Thailand and it was perfectly fine=)

Is that what you was told, or what you thought ?

[jinnamys]

Why not pack light, and get clothing here? Despite what most people will tell you, clothing of all sizes is available. Thai people actually come in all sizes. You may not able to set any fashion trend, but you will find acceptable clothing in which you will feel comfortable - cheap too!

As far as internet recommendations go, I like to use this example:



This is a photo of a girl who, in her blogs and forum entries, professes deep knowledge of Thai culture and sensibilities. I'm sure she would say shorts and strappy tops are fine!

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" - Charles Darwin (1871).

[Bejemoelemymn]

If she is not Thai, then the monk has probably thought: "Mai bpen rai, she just doesn't understand Thai culture." And she probably wouldn't have had anyone attempt to explain her faux pas to her.

Not many can explain much of anything to this young woman. She knows everything!

You're right, the monk, in classic Thai style, probably used the mai pen rai card. Unfortunately, the overuse of this is contributing to the growing resentment of foreigners.

How one presents oneself will make the difference between being welcomed, or simply tolerated.

[jinnamys]

wearing a jean is considered disrespectful???

As one of the above posts explained, the problem was wearing jeans with holes in them, not wearing jeans as such. Likewise, dirty jeans would be frowned upon.

However, my understanding is that in many workplaces in Thailand jeans would be considered too "casual" to be appropriate work wear.

[maliboia]

I wore jeans to the Grand Palace and to a thai school in Thailand and it was perfectly fine=)

[Bejemoelemymn]

As for skimpy, sexy clothing - take a look at the average fashionable university student in Bangkok. If they manage to get away in such revealing attire, im sure farang girls can!

Exactly!

But, I think we are asking what is proper, not what we can get away with.

[maliboia]

wearing a jean is considered disrespectful???

[NumsAmenniams]

Spaghetti tops and skimpy shorts or skirt are perfectly all right in shopping areas/malls and any nightclub in developed modern cities, such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai etc...
What is important though, is for females to wear a bra!! You will hardly ever ever see a Thai girl not wearing bra in public - a lotta farang girls let themselves down when not wearing a bra - that is taboo for sure.

As for skimpy, sexy clothing - take a look at the average fashionable university student in Bangkok. If they manage to get away in such revealing attire, im sure farang girls can!

[Bejemoelemymn]

.... I do want to be respectful and respected.

Here is a first hand experience in Thai perceptions:

I always wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt.

Because I ride a motorcycle, I also wear a pair of leather shoes; I wish to keep all my toes! And, because I ride a motorcycle, these shoes aren't in the best condition.

Surprisingly, many times my wife mentioned the that people have complimented how it is nice to see a foreigner wear "proper" shoes. These shoes would embarrass me in most circumstances. But, to Thais, it's the effort that counts.

Around Bangkok, you will see women wearing shorts and sleeveless tops. You will also spot people standing out in short and sleeveless tops.


Shorts and Top

or

SHORTS!!!! and TOP!!!!

[L8fGLM4d]

> are jeans considered to be immodest for women to wear to a temple? And I was also wondering... I've read don't wear sandals that show your toes... but then I read they don't allow shoes at all in temples...

you need shoes that cover your toes and definitely no jeans for a workplace or school (if no uniform, but I think all schools have uniforms, even graduate school? not sure). my boss is constantly after me because of my toes but I don't wear closed shoes when it is 40 degrees.....
jeans are ok to temples as long as they cover the knees. the same goes for royal palaces.
in Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, they insisted on sandals (no flipflops because those have no heel straps) but toes sticking out were ok. I don't know how strict they are about this at the moment.


> Also in just ... everyday life... I'm gathering that tank tops and spaghetti straps are kind of considered immodest. I'm wondering how big of a taboo is this? And is it the same for shirts that aren't say... spaghetti strap but like... an inch to 2 inch strap...

should be ok in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or the beach. but please don't wear them if you are big size..... that IS embarrassing to watch.
definitely dress up if you go to immigration, police, any office like that. or a job interview. but I guess that goes without saying. for a temple, you can cover your shoulders with a shawl. many Thais wear spaghetti straps and they are not all bad girls. but there is a very clear line between work / official clothes and "off duty" clothes.
btw, be careful about getting sunburnt.


> bermuda shorts... in that category too? As they do cover the entire thigh and are knee length, it seems that would be something far more acceptable... but is it still something that's not exactly... looked favorably on?

they should be perfectly ok streetwear. if you knees are covered you can get into royal palaces wearing trousers like that.

in a beach frequented by foreigners, anything goes. just don't be topless in a national park. on a Thai beach, you will see people swim dressed in shorts and t/shirts and some may feel uncomfortable even in a modest swimsuit if everyone around them is more dressed up.

there was a very similar thread somewhere not very long ago btw, but I have no time to find it at the moment.

[Carfanate]

Thank you so much. I do appreciate everyone that replies. My schooling is actually going to be in Muay Thai... so I'm not exaclty sure large amounts of clothing will be worn doing that.... :S but I do plan to be respectful. lol

[DoterrFor]

I would not wear the above to any temple esp being in front of a monk, coz I'm sure my family would cut me off the family tree for life!......it's just so disrespectful in the Thai culture of appropriateness....too much skin!
What I'm saying is that......you could, but it's not appropriate to do so.

Oh btw...I'm a Thai

I think it depends where you go in Thailand, of course if you were to walk down "Walking Street" Pataya at night, you would be considered very conservative at night wearing what the girl is wearing in that photo.

[Bejemoelemymn]

If you want to visit the king's palace in BKK make sure you are dressed appropriately, no shorts, jeans etc,... I was surprised our Thai "niece" didn't know better and was turned away because of her jeans. Maybe it was the holes ....

Denim is fine. It was the condition.

[RBJamez]

I gather that going to religious sites and temples obviously a woman needs to be very modest.
yes

My questions might sound dumb... so I apologize for any ignorance in advance... but are jeans considered to be immodest for women to wear to a temple?
As long as it’s not one of those very low hips, bottom scrapping style, and full of holes/patches/paints…..then should be ok

And I was also wondering... I've read don't wear sandals that show your toes... but then I read they don't allow shoes at all in temples... so would that matter much what kind of shoes you wear if you take them off anyway?
Many thais, esp older ladies wear an open toe sandals to the wat all the times, I don’t see any problem.
It’s mostly allowed around the temple ground, but not inside the building itself, the shoes that is. Generally there should be the specific place you can put them just before you go through the door, or put in your own backpack if you afraid to lose them.
Of course with the closed toe one, it’s more versatile in its use, and added an extra degree of politeness in most places.

Also in just ... everyday life... I'm gathering that tank tops and spaghetti straps are kind of considered immodest.
Well depending where you’re at & what you’re doing, and everyday life in a beach town is much different than in a city. If you don’t want to pack for all sort of occasions, a casual modest/ or a smart casual is the best for just about everywhere.

I'm wondering how big of a taboo is this? And is it the same for shirts that aren't say... spaghetti strap but like... an inch to 2 inch strap... I know... strange questions... And I gather shorts are also bad. But that's okay because I look terrible in shorts and the thought of a culture that doesn't wear shorts excites me! But... are bermuda shorts... in that category too? As they do cover the entire thigh and are knee length, it seems that would be something far more acceptable... but is it still something that's not exactly... looked favorably on?
Tell you what, if you want to pack light…..a modest sundress that doesn’t show too much of your cleavage, sleevesless/short sleeves are ok, and 3-4 inches above the knees is acceptable just about everywhere, except for hiking and swimming of course.
Not to mention, there are easier to wash and quicker to dry too.

And how does this differ in regular everyday life compared to beaches? Thanks for anyone that replies! It will be such great help! I really don't want to be that ignorant crazy white woman wandering the streets of Thailand with no clue how offensive she is to Thai people.
And if this is something that belongs in another forum and I missed it... please let me know and I'll post it there instead.
Once you’re here, just try to observe from the “majority” of the Thais on what they are wearing….then imitate one of those styles that will suit you best. Summer clothing here are relatively inexpensive. As long as you’re not too big like someone said....they should be very easy to find. Don’t over packed, just buy the rest you need here.

Perhaps you will find the above comments be any useful to you.

Cheers....
MOXY

[Carfanate]

Sawadee ka-

Hi all! I am new to this forum, and have scanned through... not entirely diligently, so if this topic has been discussed already I didn't see it. I plan on being in Thailand later this year for some schooling. For about 3 months at the least. So I do want to make sure that I am respectful of Thai culture and what not. I've been researching a lot online about what is deemed inappropriate and what isn't. I gather that going to religious sites and temples obviously a woman needs to be very modest. My questions might sound dumb... so I apologize for any ignorance in advance... but are jeans considered to be immodest for women to wear to a temple? And I was also wondering... I've read don't wear sandals that show your toes... but then I read they don't allow shoes at all in temples... so would that matter much what kind of shoes you wear if you take them off anyway?

Also in just ... everyday life... I'm gathering that tank tops and spaghetti straps are kind of considered immodest. I'm wondering how big of a taboo is this? And is it the same for shirts that aren't say... spaghetti strap but like... an inch to 2 inch strap... I know... strange questions... And I gather shorts are also bad. But that's okay because I look terrible in shorts and the thought of a culture that doesn't wear shorts excites me! But... are bermuda shorts... in that category too? As they do cover the entire thigh and are knee length, it seems that would be something far more acceptable... but is it still something that's not exactly... looked favorably on?

And how does this differ in regular everyday life compared to beaches? Thanks for anyone that replies! It will be such great help! I really don't want to be that ignorant crazy white woman wandering the streets of Thailand with no clue how offensive she is to Thai people.

And if this is something that belongs in another forum and I missed it... please let me know and I'll post it there instead.

Korp kun mahk ka TennilleF1

[Quaganoca]

HI

Once you are in thailand take your cues from the locals.
don't pack much clothing and buy there
unless you are a large size woman then hard to find large size cloths.
most local young working girls wear short black skirts and white long sleeve tops.

You will find that the local's when they go swiming do not wear bathing suits
they wear their street cloths. and just jump in and play. usually jeans and tee shirt

If you are a teacher you must dress or should dress more conservative even outside of school, as you are in a position of respect and the students look up to you. dressing poorly or too risky looks bad for your school.

dress like you are going to a sunday picnic with your grandmother
something nice and clean and presentable that won't offend her