Hi y'all,
When visiting wats, is it acceptable to cover one's( a woman's) arms/shoulders with an open-weave type covering? I don't want the weight/heat of a regular long-sleeve cotton type shirt/blouse, but is a wrap that is essentially see-through acceptable? Just got one thru travel smith, but don't know if it covers enough. Thanks for the fashion tips!

Thailand is a bit more conservative in thei respect than Laos. Cotton is not that heavy and is quite cool.

Having spent the last 2 months traveling through SEA and visitng more Wats and Pagodas than I will ever remember, during some grueling hot days. My advice is forget the T-shirts and sleeveless Tees and use Kurtas. They are the Indian short shirts, absorbent, loosefitting and cool. That and a skirt sre the most comfortable things to wear.

You don't need long sleeves, but your shoulders need to be covered. So a short-sleeved shirt works. If you wear something sleeveless or with cap sleeves, use a light wrap or sarong. A cotton sarong will likely be lighter than an open weave wrap.

A Kurta is a fine idea if you happen to have one.

Thanks for the information. So, a skirt that would fall below the knees would also be acceptable instead of pants?

Since Angkor Wat is technically a ruin rather than a practicing Wat...do the Wat rules of dress still apply there?

Yes, a skirt that falls below the knee would be fine.

The temples at Angkor are ruins, but a number of the temples have Buddha images that are tended by monks or nuns. While I've not seen them enforce a dress code, please do dress respectfully... no short shorts, no bared midriiffs, no halter or tank tops. Given the intensity of the sun, you'll actually feel cooler by coving more skin.

About wat fashion

Wat Po...is no correct,but...

http://picasaweb.google.es/fotoswebr...69076910167874

Wat Pakeo-Royal Palace is a no-no.She has to cover up

http://picasaweb.google.es/fotoswebr...68827802064626

Sanuk

toni46,

The lady in the picture did not show much respect towards a place of worship for Thais. Just because there was no enforcement it doesn't mean that it is accepted.

Usually someone at the entrance would tell her to cover up. Yes, you will see terrible judgement on the part of some visitors, but don't see that as a reason to ignore cultural norms.