Visiting the majestic temples in the Land of Smiles is usually one of the must-do things on tourists’ itinerary. Many visitors do not realize, however, when their actions or behaviors are considered inappropriate on these sacred grounds. To save yourself from raising a few eyebrows, or even worse, not being allowed to enter a temple altogether, read this etiquette guide to exploring the temples of Thailand.

Wat Arun

Take a scenic ferry ride across the Chao Phraya River and you’ll find yourself gazing at the majestic Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, in Thonburi. There’s something about the 17th-century Wat Arun that is very different from other temples around Bangkok; perhaps it’s the eye-catching phra pang or spires covered in millions of small pieces of Chinese porcelain or its striking riverside site. Four small towers surround a tall Khmer-style central tower. Visitors can climb up the steep steps on the main tower for a nice view of the area and the river. It’s worth walking around in the complex and exploring the main prayer hall, pavilions, and statues housed within. It’s recommended to stay until sunset when the temple makes for a beautiful silhouette against the evening sky. Wat Arun is definitely my favorite temple in Bangkok, both for its distinct architecture and for the atmospheric ferry ride.

Tip: Climbing up the main tower is easier than getting down and I saw a lot of people panic once they had to get down. If you’re afraid of heights, avoid going up and enjoy the view from lower levels.

Wat Pho

Located within walking distance of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is Bangkok’s largest temple and one of its most popular tourist attractions. Known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho houses a 46 metre long gilded reclining Buddha statue.

Wat Pho is one of Bangkok oldest Buddhist temples. The temple itself was built before the city of Bangkok was founded. Wat Pho contains one of Thailand’s oldest massage schools, which offers Thai massage treatments and instructional courses for visitors.

Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Phra Kaew, known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is widely regarded as Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temple. The temple houses a 30 inch Emerald Buddha statue, which was built in 43 BC according to legend.

Located inside the Grand Palace complex, Wat Phra Kaew is one of the most popular temples in Bangkok. The temple itself was built in 1784 by order of Rama I after Siam’s capital moved from Thonburi to Bangkok.

Wat Rong Khun

Sitting in the north of Thailand in Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun or ‘The White Temple’ is one of the most photographed and recognized temples in Thailand. The temple is white in color and has pieces of glass that have been put into the plaster to sparkle in the sun. The whiteness of the temple is a symbol of the purity of Buddha and the glass symbolizes his wisdom. A complete rebuild of the temple was started at the end of the 20th Century, with the works still going ahead today. When complete the temple will have nine separate buildings including accommodation for the working monks.

The Sanctuary of Truth in Patthaya

A lot of tourists visit The Sanctuary of Truth out of curiosity. After all, it’s not every day that you get to visit a sanctuary of truth. A visit to this attraction is a must. In fact, you can enjoy the attraction even from the outside as you get to admire this temple’s construction.

The size itself is impressive, as this wooden building covers about half a hectare. But its height proves to be its most impressive feature. After all, its top point is more or less 105 meters high. It’s also impressive to note that this wooden building was built to stand the elements that are present in seashores.

In order to fully enjoy the experience, you need to go inside so you can check out every inch of the building. You’ll see that every inch showcases Thai creativity as they feature wooden carvings and sculptures that are patterned after religious matters. With these artworks, it’s easy to see how they can help visitors understand life, responsibility and the universe better.

Buddha Head in Tree Roots, Wat Mahathat

Wat Maha That or the Monastery of the Great Relic is located on the city island in the central part of Ayutthaya in Tha Wasukri sub-district. The temple is situated on the corner of the present Chikun Road and Naresuan Road. The monastery stood on the west bank of Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak, an important canal, which has been filled up somewhere in the early 20th century. In ancient times the temple was likely fully surrounded by canals and moats. The structure has been registered as a national historic site by the Fine Arts Department on 8 March 1935 and is part of the Ayutthaya World Heritage Historical Park.

Dress Codes

Many of these temples, regardless of where they find themselves, have strict dress codes. For example, at the Grand Palace, where Wat Phra Kaew is located, hopeful visitors showing too much skin will be denied entrance. The best thing to do is to simply dress modestly, making sure that shoulders are covered and that short or skirts go down to at least the knees. Some temples prohibit photography as well, including Wat Phra Kaew, so be sure to ask before snapping a photo or two.