Wat Arun dress code at a glance
The visitor advice is simple: no shorts, no sleeveless tops and no bare shoulders. Flip-flops are unsuitable. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and clothing should not be see-through, for men and women alike.
If your clothes do not fit the rules, cover-ups can be rented or borrowed at the temple for a small fee. Do not count on a free loan, a fixed price or your size being in stock. A light layer in your bag is the easy answer.
The rules matter on the day you pay the Wat Arun entrance fee, and they matter again if you join one of the Wat Arun tours that continue to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, which have their own rules.
Our pick: a guided temple visit
This tour visits the palace and several temples, so the dress rules on this page apply to the whole day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Wat Arun tours with temple visits
Guided circuits that include Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, plus boat trips, with live prices and availability. Dress for the strictest site on your route.
What to wear and what to avoid
A short checklist for a visit to the temple grounds.
| Item | Works well | Leave at the hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Top | T-shirt with sleeves, shirt, blouse that covers the shoulders | Sleeveless tops, bare shoulders |
| Bottom | Long trousers, or a skirt or dress that covers the knees | Shorts, short skirts |
| Fabric | Light, opaque cotton or linen | See-through clothing |
| Shoes | Closed shoes or sandals with a strap, with grip for the steep steps | Flip-flops |
| Extra layer | A light shirt or wrap for the shoulders | – |
Pack for the whole day, not only for the temple. A visit to Wat Arun often sits between the ferry, a walk through the courtyard and a stop at Wat Pho or the Grand Palace. One outfit that works for all of them saves you changing in the heat.
For most visitors, light long trousers or a long skirt, a top with sleeves and shoes you can take off easily are the right mix. Bangkok is hot all year, with average daily highs between about 32 and 36 °C, so choose thin fabrics. They also cover you without making the walk uncomfortable.
If your clothes do not fit
You have two practical options. First, rent or borrow a cover-up at the temple for a small fee. Second, change at your hotel or in Tha Tien before you cross, because the ferry from there takes you straight to the temple.
There are also many shops around the temple wall that rent traditional Thai clothing, some with jewellery and a photographer. This is an optional activity run by the shops. It is not part of the temple and not a requirement. If you rent an outfit, ask the shop whether it covers shoulders and knees for the temple.
A costume or a rented layer does not replace a plan. Carry a small bag so that you can pack away a layer when you leave the temple and put it on again at the next one.
Shoes and the ordination hall
Shoes come off before you enter the ordination hall. The shoe rule applies to this building, so do not assume it covers the whole grounds, and follow the signs on the paths and in the courtyard.
Wat Pho and the Grand Palace ask for more
Plan your outfit for the strictest stop on your route.
Wat Pho
Respectful clothing is required. For women, no shorts above the knee. A top with sleeves and trousers or a long skirt solve it.
Wat Pho →Grand Palace
No sleeveless, short or see-through tops. No shorts, torn or tight trousers, cycling shorts, mini skirts or sleepwear. A scarf over bare shoulders is not enough here.
Grand Palace →The steps at the prang
The steps of the central prang are tall, steep and in places narrow. Wear shoes with grip and a skirt or trousers that let you move your legs freely.
The central prang →
Wat Arun dress code: frequently asked questions
Can I wear shorts at Wat Arun?
No. Shorts are not suitable for visitors. Wear long trousers or a skirt or dress that covers the knees.
Are sleeveless tops allowed?
No. Sleeveless tops and bare shoulders are not suitable. A T-shirt with sleeves is enough.
Can I rent clothes at the temple?
Cover-ups can be rented or borrowed for a small fee. There is no fixed price to rely on and no guarantee that your size is available, so a light layer of your own is safer.
Do I take my shoes off?
Yes, before the ordination hall. For the rest of the grounds, follow the signs.
Can I wear a rented Thai costume?
Costume shops around the temple wall rent traditional clothing, and some shops offer a photographer. The costume is a shop product, so ask the shop whether it covers shoulders and knees.
Is this site the official page of Wat Arun?
No. wat-arun.org is an independent travel guide with no connection to the temple, the Tourism Authority of Thailand or any tour operator.