Wardrobe advice for Bangkok holiday....

[cjt110]

We are due to go to Thailand, Bangkok to be precise, in February. We are staying at The Continent as Sky Lounge customers. It's within the business district but right next to the BTS (train line) so we can easily hop around.

The average temp is 28 degrees but anywhere between 23 and 33 for that time of year.

I want some easy, lightweight outfits that will be acceptable both in the hotel and also when we go out and about exploring.

If anyone could help, I'd be very grateful :)

Linen trousers and a loose t-shirt are fine. They are covered enough for the temples etc. A small foldable umbrella (especially the sort with the silver lining) is useful to go round the exposed bits of the grand palace.

Check about mourning dress - I don't know how long this goes on - sombre colours - mainly black and white and full sleeves.

Everything will be wet with sweat in 10 minutes, so you just get used to it.

For out and about, brand new stuff will feel out of place.

You can buy elephant trousers everywhere if you want to look like a tourist properly.

The BTS is very air-conditioned so your glasses steam up when you get off .

There is a big shopping centre accessible from the BTS with western shops for clothes (unless you are small in which case you will be ok for buying things) but they will probably be winter ones - still take a look at the BMWs in the shop windows .

You can access the river busses from the BTS too.

Cherylene I love the elephant trousers!!!!!!!!!!!! Just googled and fallen in love. In fact, I might get some just or at home.

Yes, we had worried about the mourning period but cannot find anymore more specific right now than the sombre period for 30 days but they are in mourning for a year.

I have thought about dreses like these below but unsure, because of the mourning if they would be appropriate?

www.next.co.uk/gl7420s2#l48658
www.next.co.uk/gl7264s1#l45934
www.next.co.uk/g531412s1#718176

I think they are a bit short. If you go round the palace or temples, you need something longer (knee covering). People wear sarongs or shawls over things, but they are a bit cumbersome in the heat. Baggy linen trousers are best. It is so muggy that shorts will not be better.

If the palace will be open, I would take something dark and covering like a long skirt and shirt. They do take the royal family very seriously. (Look at Queen Sikirit's dresses in there - epitome of 1960s courture)

There are elephant trousers in every market! Everywhere!!!!!

They will be ok in the hotel in the evening (hotel looks lovely btw. We were cheap and stayed in the Ibis).

• Sirikit

Thanks for your advice. I apprciate it - I would never want to upset somne elses culture with ignorance.

We are splashing out for my 30th birthday :)

They are lovely people and put up with it but it is nice to feel comfortable and that you are not upsetting people.

If you like clothes, the museum at the palace I mentioned above is wonderful. Her clothes were made to look like traditional thai clothing but by the top couture houses in the 50s and 60s. Stunning. There is also an exhibition about the princess that does lots of good stuff (a bit like Princess Anne). There is a small room downstairs that explains traditional silk weaving patterns.

Jim Thompson house (a short walk from the skyrail) is a good day out - go early and be escorted round the house which was built from traditional thai houses, then there is an art exhibition to kill time until you have lunch there. Then we saw someone in the courtyard spinning silk out of cocoons.

At the top of the expensive shopping centre (siam paragon) there is a place where you can buy more up market thai presents than the many ubiquitous markets. There is also a very big market at the end of the skyrail - go early.

It is a place that is very rich and very poor. You can buy a Mercedes from a shop, or eat very cheap street food.

Enjoy!

Remember that if you are visiting temples then many places specify a modest dress code. That means covering shoulders and knees.

A lightweight pashmina or scarf can come in handy for such occasions. I also took some lightweight trousers from Kathmandu which had ties so you could adjust the length, these were very handy as I could wear them short in the daytime, then let them down to full length in the evenings to ensure my ankles weren't a feast for the mosquitoes if sitting outside

You have had plenty of good advice. I love Bangkok. When I lived elsewhere in the region I worked out I went there 13 times for the weekend. . I was there the day after the military coup in 2006 when the tanks were everywhere and locals were placing flowers in the gun barrels. Also there during curfew after a later coup. That was eerie, watching from a high hotel floor (The Conrad, LOVE it!) as the cars and people gradually disappeared from the streets. You are going during a very significant historical period. ATM screens will be in black and at least one tv channel will be entirely devoted to the King's life. It will be interesting for sure.

Anyway, I digress. The weather in February is actually quite pleasant. Hot, yes but you may have breezes and it isn't as humid as other times of the year. A great time to visit. I am envious! Have fun.

BringMeTea I'm envious that you lived out there.

I am curious as we aren't going for some time, what the mourning practice will still be months later. You description of placing flowers in gun barrels brought to my mind the image of the man at Tiananmen Square. Such a peaceful but powerful act.

I would like to read on the history o the place, including the Coups.

Hi. I live here. By February I wouldn't worry about the colour of your clothing unless you are visiting palaces and official places. On those days just make sure your top/dress aren't sleeveless and cover below the knees. Choose black/white/grey/navy. You will be fine. I Wouldn't bring too many clothes either. The shopping is unreal here.

Would outfits like these be OK for the daytime?

Long skirts and maxi dresses
Light cardigans or wraps for covering shoulders
Thailand is very casual
It's wonderful, enjoy!

Ooooh maxi dresses and hippy skirts!