The great temples of Bangkok — the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun — are among the most spectacular sights in Southeast Asia, and the most common way to ruin a visit is to turn up dressed for the heat.
The dress code is non-negotiable and politely but firmly enforced: shoulders and knees covered, for men and women alike. Vests, shorts and short skirts will stop you at the gate, and the rental sarongs on offer outside are a hot, overpriced last resort.
Dress once, see everything
Carry a light scarf or thin trousers in your day bag and you can walk straight into every temple without a second thought. Go early, too — Bangkok’s heat and crowds both build through the morning, and the temples are calmest just after they open.
