What Clothes To Bring?

[thaitar]

I'm going to be staying in Chiang Mai from Dec to June. Wondering what kind of weather to expect? What clothes should I bring? Do I need a jacket? Just tshirts? Or maybe a sweater? Thanks!

[gotlost]

It will probably be cool to cold for those of us that live hear year around for you ? Bring a lite coat or sweater. or better yet buy it hear.

[backfromouterspace]

A mixture of cool to very hot weather. You could of course just by any additional clothes you need here.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

don't forget to bring a high quality filtration mask for the smoke during March April and May.

Stinging nettle extract is really good for the sinus problems the smoke can cause. Hard to get in Thailand.. That I know of anyway.

Goes from pleasantly cool in Dec and Jan to blazing hot dry and smokey in March, April May.... With any luck the rains come in June to clean the air.....

[naboo]

Cool, then hot, then rain. Bring everything.

[gotlost]

don't forget to bring a high quality filtration mask for the smoke during March April and May.

Stinging nettle extract is really good for the sinus problems the smoke can cause. Hard to get in Thailand.. That I know of anyway.

Goes from pleasantly cool in Dec and Jan to blazing hot dry and smokey in March, April May.... With any luck the rains come in June to clean the air.....

The locals normal leave by February because of the pollution. You thank LA is bad, you ain't seen nothing.

[jayjay0]

expect temperatures to get down as low as 10 with the occasional 5 degree.

Depends where you are coming from if you are coming from the Arctic bring a swim suit if you are coming from Java bring a parka.

I doubt very much you will see temperatures above 25 until February. Really a tough call the weather all over the world has been acting different.

Edited November 28, 2010 by jayjay0

[IanForbes]

You WILL need a light fleece jacket if you go out at night. There is usually a cool spell sometime in December or early January where the temperature occasionally drops to the high fifties (Fahrenheit) at night. Most of the time during the day you will wear shorts, sandals and a cotton short sleave shirt. I buy most of my shirts in Thailand and take them home to Canada. But, if you find clothing manufactured in China and sold in what ever country you come from, then the costs will be similar. I bring a light rain jacket, but don't wear it very often. Lightweight, long pants will keep the mosquitos from chewing your ankles.

[el jefe]

expect temperatures to get down as low as 10 with the occasional 5 degree.

Depends where you are coming from if you are coming from the Arctic bring a swim suit if you are coming from Java bring a parka.

I doubt very much you will see temperatures above 25 until February. Really a tough call the weather all over the world has been acting different.

I have no idea where Jay-0 lives.

Here's the 30 year average (1960-1990) temps for Chiang Mai:

http://www.tmd.go.th/en/province_stat.php?StationNumber=48327

Average high temps in Dec-Jan (the two coolest months) are 28-29°C. Expect plenty of 30° afternoons.

I've been here for 6 years and the coldest night in the city has been 11°C. Last winter I believe there was only one night when the temperature dropped below 14°.

HTH

[NancyL]

Bring underwear, socks, shoes and swimsuit. You can buy the rest here.

Except for these items, I rarely wear what I brought from the U.S. Clothes here are cheap and plentiful. Plus, the standards of dress here can be different. Personally, I dress to a better standard than I did in the U.S. There's a wide selection of fabric and skilled dressmakers/tailor's. I've had fun crafting an entirely new wardrobe.

[thrilled]

If your airline charges for checked baggage,go ahead and buy clothes at the night market,or sunday night market.

[orang37]

Sawadee Khrup, Khun Thaitar, Welcome to Chiang Mai !

Assuming you arrive in December and the cold fronts from China do their occasional thing it might get cool here (cold to Thais). But by late January the great Solar Engine will exert its rule over the Kingdom, and we enter the dry and polluted seasons. With luck toward late April (the Songkraan New Year Festival) we see some intermittent rains, and then, depending on the year, the rainy season wanders from drenching to piddling for four months.

As mentioned before, February through April this year were terrible for pollution, but there's not much that clothing can help you with there, except pollution mask and staying out of the polluted air.

If you are an extra jumbo size Farang, you will find some specialty places, like on the sub-floor of Airport Plaza, that have up to western sizxe XXL and even bigger gear of typical "western flavor;" of course expect to pay more.

Our major source of clothes is these "off the back of the truck export companies" that irregularly set up shop on the main floors of places like Carrefour, Pornthip Plaza, Airport Plaza, and have great sales on "so-called made for export" goods with better quality tailoring than you'll find on the lower priced regular stuff in places like Carrefour (assuming you can wear Thai sizes sold at Carrefour).

At these "bin sales" you can get great deals on t-shirts, underwear, shorts, pants, etc. And often they will, for certain items have XXL or bigger sizes for certain types of shirts: we seldom see a pant or shorts size larger than 40 inches, however, and those are rare, and what's marked 38 or 40 here may, depending on the cut, be the equivalent of one to two sizes smaller than western sizes.

Keep in mind that a t-shirt on sale cheap at Carrefour marked XL may not fit you if you are a large farang, particularly after being washed once.

Right now, in Carrefour here, for example, there's a whole bunch of these temporary shops sellling colder weather gear.

If you are in Bangkok, you may wish to avail yourself of the famous Chatujak Weekend Market where you'll find everything under the sun, including a lot of this "for export" clothing.

Agree with Khun NancyL that bringing shoes, socks, and swim-wear, and swim goggles, will be a lot cheaper than buying them here. We can't find socks here that are like the large men's athletic socks that have padded heel and toe areas; we used to buy those in the US by the dozen (perfect to wear with sandals) and they would last for years, and were very comfortable.

Also think Khun Ian Forbes nailed it when talked about the need for a light fleece-lined pullover; we have a sleeveless one that zips up all the way up to the top of the neck that's great for our late-night bike rides where we want to keep cold weather off our neck, chest, and sides, but don't care if our arms are bare, and a full one that has a hood for special times, like sleeping on long VIP bus rides where they turn the whole dam_n bus into a refrigerator.

good luck, ~o:37;

Edited November 28, 2010 by orang37

[thaitar]

large farang... that sounds so hilarious to me for some reason. it's like we are talking about a fishing catch... hahahaha ... anyways I am not a large kind, in fact very average and athletic, so said that I think I'll do fine with all of the mentioned places. Thank you everyone for these great contributions. I am really sad about pollution though, I didn't know it was such a problem. I am from a city that has virtually no pollution, so I think it'll be tough for me there.

[thaitar]

And what is this "for export" stuff? Is that legit stuff "from the back of the truck" or is it counterfit stuff from China?

[amexpat]

I am mystified about "Thai sizes". I see plenty of Thai men that are 100 kg / 220 lbs or more.

Hell, I know a (real) Thai woman whose feet are about the same as my 46's (US 11 1/2 or so). Are the maxi-ped Thai guys stuck with wearing only flip flops? Athletic shoes are the hardest to find.

The main problem with local pants and shorts is that they are usually assless.

[nikster]

I am mystified about "Thai sizes". I see plenty of Thai men that are 100 kg / 220 lbs or more.

Hell, I know a (real) Thai woman whose feet are about the same as my 46's (US 11 1/2 or so). Are the maxi-ped Thai guys stuck with wearing only flip flops? Athletic shoes are the hardest to find.

Yep. I've given up on buying local shoes here even though I am a 44 (10 1/2 or 11 US). They have "them" - as in each store seems to have exactly ONE pair in this size, and it's usually some freakish looking leftover thing. I think it's changing as Thais are getting bigger and taller - just look at the teenagers or twens, but it seems to be changing very slowly.

International brand names are a different story, they usually have them in bigger sizes. Same with shirts - a few years back I found lots of really cool locally designed shirts at JJ market in BKK. Only the biggest size was "M" and a small M at that. I am 5'11 and none of these would fit me. I usually have to go for XL here in Thailand. Back home I am just as often an M. And sometimes even an S (middle America ROFL)

For women it's even worse... my Thai wife loves to go to Europe/US where she's buying the S or M sizes. Back in Thailand she has to look really hard and find the L and XL... the vast majority of clothes sold seems to be XXS or XXXS...

Edited November 29, 2010 by nikster

[NancyL]

I think the "for export" clothing sold in the malls is legit. The labels usually have a small cut, indicating that they're "seconds" or perhaps overruns. They're made in neighboring countries and my theory is that they're brought here for sale because there's a sizable western population. Sometimes the sizes are strange (I recently saw a pair of Dockers with a 54 inch waist and 24 inch length!) but if you catch these sales early you can usually find "normal" western sizes. Hubby buys all his slacks and cargo shorts at these places. I always go along and carefully check an item for any flaws, so he doesn't come home with something that's an obvious "second".

[jackr]

expect temperatures to get down as low as 10 with the occasional 5 degree.

Depends where you are coming from if you are coming from the Arctic bring a swim suit if you are coming from Java bring a parka.

I doubt very much you will see temperatures above 25 until February. Really a tough call the weather all over the world has been acting different.

Never gets that cold in the city (as low as 12) and frequently goes over 25 in the day. Do you live behind Wat Phra That Doi Suthep perchance?

[Puwa]

Here are a few points on dressing in Thailand, with the objective of keeping yourself comfortable and garnering respect and good treatment from Thai people. The unfortunate fact is that farang have a general image of being unkempt and careless about their appearance, which Thais find amusing and confusing at the same time.

1. Wear clothing. Under no circumstances should you ever walk around in public shirtless, regardless of the heat. These days shorts are ok if they reach down to your knee. Anything shorter is not considered proper for adult men. But if you want to be taken seriously all the time, it's trousers all the way. Clothing is what separates us from the animals--at least most animals.

2. Keep clean. Generally, Thais are meticulous about keeping clothes clean. This isn't a place where you give that old shirt a sniff test and wear it for another day. Same goes for any kind of stain, discoloration, or dinginess.

3. The same goes for wrinkles.

4. Keep cool. A good way to battle the heat is to dress for it. Short sleeve, button-down or polo shorts, made of cotton or other natural fibers are the way to go. Heavy cotton t-shirts not only look ridiculous, but they are hot and trap sweat. If you want to wear jeans in the hottest months, only choose the lightest denim.

5. Pay attention. Try to get a feel for how the Thai people around you dress in public, restaurants, movies, etc. Then look at the tourists around you. Now decide how you would rather look.

6. Shoes matter. Thai culture has an obsession with feet. Feet are considered not only the dirtiest but, in moral terms, the lowliest part of the body. Therefore keeping your feet clean and well dressed is considered a virtue. (As well as knowing when to take off shoes, how to sit so as you don't point your feet at others, and not using your feet and toes to pick things up, hold them steady, close and open doors, saying excuse me before you refer to feet, etc.) Sandals are ok, but get nice new ones, not the 25 baht specials. Otherwise, wear shoes that cover your feet.

I'm not saying that personally I think all these superficial matters are terribly important. But the fact is that most Thais will take notice and form their opinion of you--or at least their first impression--by how you dress. So it makes life easier to at least know what the standards are.

Edited November 29, 2010 by Puwa

[thaitar]

Here are a few points on dressing in Thailand, with the objective of keeping yourself comfortable and garnering respect and good treatment from Thai people. The unfortunate fact is that farang have a general image of being unkempt and careless about their appearance, which Thais find amusing and confusing at the same time.

1. Wear clothing. Under no circumstances should you ever walk around in public shirtless, regardless of the heat. These days shorts are ok if they reach down to your knee. Anything shorter is not considered proper for adult men. But if you want to be taken seriously all the time, it's trousers all the way. Clothing is what separates us from the animals--at least most animals.

2. Keep clean. Generally, Thais are meticulous about keeping clothes clean. This isn't a place where you give that old shirt a sniff test and wear it for another day. Same goes for any kind of stain, discoloration, or dinginess.

3. The same goes for wrinkles.

4. Keep cool. A good way to battle the heat is to dress for it. Short sleeve, button-down or polo shorts, made of cotton or other natural fibers are the way to go. Heavy cotton t-shirts not only look ridiculous, but they are hot and trap sweat. If you want to wear jeans in the hottest months, only choose the lightest denim.

5. Pay attention. Try to get a feel for how the Thai people around you dress in public, restaurants, movies, etc. Then look at the tourists around you. Now decide how you would rather look.

6. Shoes matter. Thai culture has an obsession with feet. Feet are considered not only the dirtiest but, in moral terms, the lowliest part of the body. Therefore keeping your feet clean and well dressed is considered a virtue. (As well as knowing when to take off shoes, how to sit so as you don't point your feet at others, and not using your feet and toes to pick things up, hold them steady, close and open doors, saying excuse me before you refer to feet, etc.) Sandals are ok, but get nice new ones, not the 25 baht specials. Otherwise, wear shoes that cover your feet.

I'm not saying that personally I think all these superficial matters are terribly important. But the fact is that most Thais will take notice and form their opinion of you--or at least their first impression--by how you dress. So it makes life easier to at least know what the standards are.

Hey Puwa! Thanks for advice. I'm a young european, so style is pretty natural to me. Under now circumstances would I wear stained or dirty clothes As for feet, had no idea! Thanks for heads up.

[IanForbes]

Not all of what Puwa says is true for every day life. Most Thais wear flip-flop toe thongs on their feet. but, in the office they wear proper shoes. I find flip-flops hard on the feet if I have to do any amount of walking. The same is true for good quality rubber sole sandals. I find that rubber is hard on the bottom of you feet in a hot climate. I often glue a foam-cloth insole to the sandal and it helps a lot. Otherwise I bring leather sandals with me when I come. I can't find them here in Thailand.

[ChangMaiSausage]

Puwa provided some good points but as Ian mentioned it's not always true.

When in Thailand im on vacation and I will wear what I want, CM is a tourist destination the locals are used to seeing tourists dressed in short shorts/skirts etc..... I dont think they take much notice unless you are walking around naked are incredibly scruffy or even worse you smell (my personal hate, soap and deodrant can be bought cheap)

The weather last year was nice I did not need a jacket at any time during December (okay I kept out of the rain) Though I did buy a jacket whilst in Bangkok (it was 40% cheaper than in CM!)

The summer months can be very hot and as Puwa mentioned nice light materials are best worn. I find golf shirts are even better as the material allows your body to breath.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Merge function??

There was another topic that approached clothing from a fashion point of view, not weather. That topic was locked. It was similar enough in that it was about cloting, but without those posts here through a merge it's not easy to continue that discussion.

[uptheos]

It will probably be cool to cold for those of us that live hear year around for you ? Bring a lite coat or sweater. or better yet buy it hear.

Bring a goose down parka, it only reaches 40 degrees in April and May.

[uptheos]

Not all of what Puwa says is true for every day life. Most Thais wear flip-flop toe thongs on their feet. but, in the office they wear proper shoes. I find flip-flops hard on the feet if I have to do any amount of walking. The same is true for good quality rubber sole sandals. I find that rubber is hard on the bottom of you feet in a hot climate. I often glue a foam-cloth insole to the sandal and it helps a lot. Otherwise I bring leather sandals with me when I come. I can't find them here in Thailand.

I was in Airport Plaza for a few hours this evening to see Unstoppable, so decided to take note and confirmed what I've always thought. Most Thai's whilst being personally clean, with clean clothes, don't really give a <deleted> about their shoes. Most wear flip flops or slip ons, which are quite grubby and don't fit in with the rest of their attire at all, but they are comfortable and convenient. Some girls wear plastic shoes others and some nice trainers......loads of young men wearing T shirts and shorts too......but the vast majority wore flip flops or slip ons.......which is sensible.

[CMX]

I think that is not off topic to mention that as a European you will be delighted with the costs of having clothes well cleaned. Should you stay at some sort of hotel or residence hotel, they will likely offer the service. Just around the street might be one that is every bit as good but less in price. Public washing machines are being added to the community I believe. Whichever one selects, it is less expensive than most Western countries by a lot.

Weather department's average high/low temperatures for Chiang Mai are as far as google and "climate.". I'm from the north, and except for being caught in the rain on a two-wheeler, I've not in 14 months felt that more than a light sweater was required, and rarely then.

One other little item. Short sleeved shirts are great for shaded areas. But Thais outside in the sun cover up. I now find long sleeved shirts make more sense, and to me, are more comfortable.

Men's shorts should indeed be knee length. Oddly, women's skirt hems have gone up 10 cm since I arrived. Maybe 12, though naturally this fashion does not extend to all ages or groups. Men's shorts do.

Edited November 29, 2010 by CMX

[naboo]

Men's shorts should indeed be knee length.

Yes. Closer to this:

than this:

Please.

[MikeCNX]

Here are a few points on dressing in Thailand, with the objective of keeping yourself comfortable and garnering respect and good treatment from Thai people. The unfortunate fact is that farang have a general image of being unkempt and careless about their appearance, which Thais find amusing and confusing at the same time.

1. Wear clothing. Under no circumstances should you ever walk around in public shirtless, regardless of the heat. These days shorts are ok if they reach down to your knee. Anything shorter is not considered proper for adult men. But if you want to be taken seriously all the time, it's trousers all the way. Clothing is what separates us from the animals--at least most animals.

2. Keep clean. Generally, Thais are meticulous about keeping clothes clean. This isn't a place where you give that old shirt a sniff test and wear it for another day. Same goes for any kind of stain, discoloration, or dinginess.

3. The same goes for wrinkles.

4. Keep cool. A good way to battle the heat is to dress for it. Short sleeve, button-down or polo shorts, made of cotton or other natural fibers are the way to go. Heavy cotton t-shirts not only look ridiculous, but they are hot and trap sweat. If you want to wear jeans in the hottest months, only choose the lightest denim.

5. Pay attention. Try to get a feel for how the Thai people around you dress in public, restaurants, movies, etc. Then look at the tourists around you. Now decide how you would rather look.

6. Shoes matter. Thai culture has an obsession with feet. Feet are considered not only the dirtiest but, in moral terms, the lowliest part of the body. Therefore keeping your feet clean and well dressed is considered a virtue. (As well as knowing when to take off shoes, how to sit so as you don't point your feet at others, and not using your feet and toes to pick things up, hold them steady, close and open doors, saying excuse me before you refer to feet, etc.) Sandals are ok, but get nice new ones, not the 25 baht specials. Otherwise, wear shoes that cover your feet.

I'm not saying that personally I think all these superficial matters are terribly important. But the fact is that most Thais will take notice and form their opinion of you--or at least their first impression--by how you dress. So it makes life easier to at least know what the standards are.

This is a post that I have seen on many forums, whether it being Thailand, Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia...............

What strikes me is that, for some reason, people "need to be told" to be clean, wear nice (at least clean) clothes, decent shoe ware, behave, shave, smell nice, be polite etc..

Now, I am from the Netherlands (some call it Holland, but that is another discussion) and you know what. We like the stinking, unshaven, dirty clothes/shoes wearing, swearing, rude etc. etc. people. Especially the cute and hot girls like them........................ I am sure the same applies to the USA, UK, rest of EU etc. right? OR am I wrong?

[el jefe]

expect temperatures to get down as low as 10 with the occasional 5 degree.

Depends where you are coming from if you are coming from the Arctic bring a swim suit if you are coming from Java bring a parka.

I doubt very much you will see temperatures above 25 until February. Really a tough call the weather all over the world has been acting different.

Just to summarize December's temperatures -- according to the TMD, the low for the month was 13.9°C and except for the few rainy days, every day saw a high of 28° or more.

"Normal" weather for January (according to TMD's 30 year history) would be plenty more days just like today.

[eek]

Oh my el jefe, you forgot to give prior warning of the major: