What to wear to Wat Arun

What should I wear to Wat Arun?

Light, loose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees: long trousers, a long skirt or a long dress, with a T-shirt or shirt that has sleeves. Add shoes with a good grip for the prang steps.

Cotton and linen are the most comfortable in the Bangkok heat. Loose trousers, including the elephant-print kind sold all over the old town, work well, as do long wrap skirts and maxi dresses. A T-shirt is fine; it does not need long sleeves, only sleeves that cover the shoulders. A light shirt or a large scarf over a vest top also works if you keep it on inside the grounds. Nothing about the code is formal: clean, simple and covered is all that is asked.

What not to wear in Wat Arun?

Avoid sleeveless tops, spaghetti straps, crop tops, shorts and skirts above the knee, and anything see-through or very tight. Ripped jeans are best left at the hotel.

• Shoulders: no vests, tank tops or strappy tops, unless you cover them with a shirt or a scarf.
• Knees: no shorts or short skirts. Knee-length is the minimum; longer is safer.
• See-through: thin white fabrics can become see-through in bright sun. A second layer solves it.
• Tight clothes: very tight leggings or tops are best avoided.
• Slogans: clothing with images or words that could offend, including religious images used as decoration, is best left behind out of respect.
• Swimwear and gym wear: not appropriate in any temple.

Can I enter Wat Arun in shorts?

Not in shorts above the knee. If you arrive in shorts or a short skirt, you can rent or borrow a sarong or cover-up at the entrance for a small fee, and wrap it around you before you go in.

The sarong stand is near the entrance, and staff show you how to tie it if you need help. Keep it on until you leave the grounds, including on the prang steps, where a long wrap can catch under your feet: hold the loose end or tie it higher before you climb. Bring cash for the fee. If you plan several temples in one day, it is simpler and more comfortable to wear long trousers from the start, or to carry your own large scarf or sarong in your bag.

Men and women follow the same rule. The gate staff decide what is covered enough, so long trousers save any discussion.

What colors should I avoid in Thailand?

No colour is banned for visitors at Wat Arun or any other temple. Modest, plain clothes are appreciated, and bright or flashy outfits are best kept for the evening.

In Thai custom black is associated with mourning and purple is traditionally worn by widows, but no temple turns visitors away for a colour. White is often worn by Thai Buddhists on religious occasions and is a comfortable choice in the heat, as long as the fabric is not see-through. Beyond that, wear what you like: the rules at the gate are about covering up, not about colour.

Which shoes are best for Wat Arun?

Shoes that slip on and off easily and grip well. Sandals and flip-flops are generally fine; you take them off for the ordination hall anyway. Some official advice suggests closed shoes, and a good grip matters on the steep steps of the prang.

• Slip-on: you take your shoes off before you enter the ordination hall and other temple buildings, often several times a day on a combined tour. Laces slow you down.
• Grip: the steps up to the lower terrace are very steep and narrow. Sports sandals or trainers with a rubber sole are the safest choice for the climb.
• Socks: the floor of the ordination hall is usually cool and clean, and you can keep socks on if you like.
• Leaving shoes: leave them neatly at the door with the others, soles down.

More on the climb, including how to come down safely, is in the tickets and hours guide.

How do you dress for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun on one day?

Dress for the Grand Palace, because its code is the strictest of the three: sleeves, and loose long trousers or a long skirt. If you pass there, you pass everywhere.

The classic half day starts at the Grand Palace, then Wat Pho, then the ferry to Wat Arun, so the first gate you meet is the strictest. The Grand Palace asks for covered shoulders and legs and no tight or see-through clothes, and its staff check carefully; the details are on its official practical information page. Wat Pho and Wat Arun ask for the same modesty, and in practice are a little more relaxed. The order of the day and the tours that combine the three are in Wat Pho or Wat Arun, or both.

The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and the boat to Wat Arun in five hours, with a guide who gets you past the ticket queue and bottled water on the way. Rated 4.8 from 5,771 reviews; entry fees are paid at each gate.

★ 4.8 (5,771) · 5 hours · Full refund up to 24 h ahead

Explore the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun tour →

What should you pack for a hot, humid temple day?

Light, loose, long clothes, water, a small towel, sun protection and cash. Bangkok is hot and humid for most of the year, and the temple courtyards have little shade at midday.

• Clothes: loose cotton or linen that covers your shoulders and knees. A spare T-shirt is welcome on a long day.
• Water: the Wat Arun ticket usually comes with a small bottle of water, but carry your own too.
• A small towel or a fan: for the heat; reviewers of the photo shoot say the same.
• Sun: a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the courtyards. Take the hat off indoors.
• A scarf or sarong: a quick cover-up for your shoulders, or for your legs if you wear shorts to lunch.
• Cash: small notes for the entry fee, and coins for the ferry.
• A small bag: big enough for water and a scarf, small enough to carry up the steps.

The coolest months and hours are in the best time to visit.

Can you wear a Thai costume at Wat Arun, and what about children?

Yes, a traditional Thai costume is welcome, and many visitors rent one from the shops near the temple for photos. Children follow the same modest dress as adults, and it is appreciated if older children cover their shoulders and knees.

Several costume rental shops line the road outside the temple, and the staff dress you, do your hair and lend accessories. A Thai costume covers everything the code asks for. If you want the pictures taken for you, the Thai costume photo shoot (4.8 from 34 reviews) spends one or two hours with a professional photographer around the best spots of the temple; the costume is an add-on and the entry fee is not included. Reviewers suggest bringing a fan and water.

For children, the same rule applies: shoulders and knees covered. Staff are usually gentle with small children, but a light pair of long trousers in the bag saves any worry. Keep a hand on younger children on the prang steps.

One or two hours with a professional photographer at Wat Arun, photos straight to your phone and 20 to 30 edited ones within a few days. The Thai costume is an add-on. Rated 4.8 from 34 reviews.

★ 4.8 (34) · 1 hour · Full refund up to 24 h ahead

Explore the Thai costume photo shoot →

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