Middle Age Guy in Shorts??
 

I will be in Thailand in May. I plan to wear shorts to deal with the heat. Will an middle age guy like me look THAT out of place??

What does age have to do with wearing shorts?

Will an middle age guy like me look THAT out of place??

In most cases, no. But obviously maybe not for business meetings, or visits to some royal temples/sites (although you can 'rent' pants to gain entrance).

I'd suggest a shirt as well, preferably one with at least short sleeves.

Totally acceptable as a tourist. Comfy sandals will also help keep you cool.

No problem wearing shorts. Most Thais don't wear them but lots of tourists do. As mentioned, you probably shouldn't go to temples wearing shorts.

Sandals are okay unless you wear socks with them. (Dork alert!) Suggest a short sleeve collared shirt to go with the shorts.

Have fun.

Agreed, totally okay. As long as its not married with a sleeveless [insert cheap beer brand here] branded singlet or the aforementioned socks with flip flops - you're good to go.
As mentioned, not in temples, but additionally I would advise not to visit any government offices, immigration, or any appointments in shorts. Plus up market restaurants in evenings etc.
Common sense applies, but I wear shorts pretty much every day except in the situations I stated above.

For casual wear (not office) many of Thai people I know are often in shorts as well, from hipsters to granddads/moms. Outside of Bangkok (and maybe Chiang Mai), many locals go to temples in shorts.

Also worth noting; some of the hotel sky bars in Bangkok won't let you in wearing shorts, so pack a pair of long trousers (or buy some cheap ones at a street stall like I did) if you want a disgusting cocktail with a great view.

Depends where you are in Thailand. Shorts are not normal attire for adult Thai males in Bangkok or any other big city. Near a beach things are different.

Shorts are more common among tourists.

If you wear shorts in Bangkok you will look out of place but since you're a tourist no one will really care. Wear what makes you comfortable.

I wore shorts in Bangkok and saw plenty of others (locals and tourists) wearing them as well. So you won't look out of place by any means. As noted if you're visiting temples wear long pants or get the kind that have zip off legs. I have several pairs of REI Adventures pants that are super lightweight and UPF 50+. They dry fast too. So that might be an alternative

Thank you!!

My husband is 54. We travel for pleasure so he usually wears shorts in the airline lounge, on the plane and at the destination. In Bangkok and Phuket I have never thought he looked out of place. He wears nice shorts or even brand name denim shorts, with a polo or cotton collared shirt and I don't think he has looked out of place.

I usually think the folks in long pants look out of place. It's so hot there!

Have fun.

This is necessary only for the most revered sites and I carry my 'legs' if indeed that's on the day's list when I have people in town. For most temples, shorts that approach the knees and a shirt covering the shoulders is sufficient. The bigger show of respect is not wearing ratty clothes or beach attire etc.

More attention is paid to a woman's clothes than a man's and I have seen women, both Thai and foreign, told not to enter temples due to their attire much more than men.

I always wear shorts when in Bangkok and have never been questioned or felt out of place despite being 50+. They're neat and I also wear a polo shirt.

Also, take a hat, it's hot, damned hot (apologies to Robin Williams) and you need the protection. I've had a couple of people look at me funny but one loud American who sneered at me when we were walking in Lumpini Park soon said my hat was awesone and that he should've brought his own with him.

IMO...
 

I think the length of the shorts is important to mention. Lots of variation there.

For a cosmopolitan city like Bangkok longer shorts are better, preferably at and/or covering the knees (or longer) like American 'board shorts' or European 'capri pants' types. For more casual beach locations like Pattaya or Phuket most anything goes really.

I remember seeing a young Russian couple in Bangkok once wearing extremely short shorts. His were like something an Olympic gymnast would wear, and hers were to the point of being quite cheeky which garnered quite a few stares :eek: but no complaints.


SL