When I started watching Muay Thai at old Lumpinee Stadium in the mid-2000s, I followed a certain dress code – long pants, a polo shirt, and shoes that covered my toes. Even until now, I still stick with this outfit.
I got into the habit of dressing this way because I’d go to the stadium with people from the Muay Thai gym I was training at. They would always tell me to dress smartly. Later on, I came to learn that Thais dress this way – even in the midst of a 100-plus degree (40-plus Celsius) day – because they always like to look presentable in public, even at the fights.
That said, you can show up to Lumpinee Stadium in just about any attire and be allowed to enter, save for maybe arriving naked or in your underwear. But if you’re interested in discovering some of the “soft rules” about the Lumpinee Stadium dress code, keep reading.
The Lumpinee Stadium Dress Code
The New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is unlike Channel 7 Boxing Stadium in that it doesn’t enforce a strict dress code. You don’t have to wear long pants or long dresses that cover your legs. You don’t have to wear shirts that cover your entire torso or upper arms. You don’t have to don footwear that covers most of your feet or toes. You, the spectator, are free to dress how you want as long as your clothes aren’t culturally, politically, or religiously offensive. You’re clothes also shouldn’t be offensive to the Thai royal family.
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium Series
After you read this guide be sure to check out all the other guides in this series.
- Part 1: Lumpinee Boxing Stadium: Ticket Prices, Best Seats, Fight Schedule, And More
- Part 2: How To Pick Best The Seats At Lumpinee Stadium
- Part 3: ONE Lumpinee: Ticket Prices, Best Seats, Event Schedule, And More
- Part 4: Lumpinee Stadium Vs. Rajadamnern Stadium: Which Is Better?
- Part 5: Lumpinee Stadium Dress Code: What To Wear And What To Avoid
Clothes And Tattoos With The Buddha’s Image
One thing you should be mindful of not only at Lumpinee Stadium but anywhere in Thailand is wearing clothing or showing tattoos with the Buddha’s image. Generally, you should never have a Buddhist image below your waist, whether it’s a tattoo of the Buddha on your leg or patterned pants with Buddha’s image. If you do have a tattoo with the Buddha’s image on your legs, you could wear long pants to cover it. That said, I highly doubt anyone would make a remark about the tattoo, as Thais are generally non-confrontational. But, this is one of those dos and don’ts that’s good to follow.
Did You Know?
Some older Thais believe that it brings luck to wear certain colors on each day of the week. For example, Sunday: red; Monday: yellow; Tuesday: pink; Wednesday: green; Thursday: orange; Friday: blue; and Saturday: purple. You won’t find many younger people in Thailand color coordinating their outfits for the day of the week, unless it’s for a special occasion.
What Should You Wear To A Muay Thai Fight In Thailand?
With the dos and don’ts of the Lumpinee Stadium dress code aside, one other thing you should care about is wearing the right clothes not to follow a specific dress code at Lumpinee, but to be comfortable. Dressing for comfort, of course, depends on what time of the year you visit the arena.
December And January
If you watch Muay Thai at Lumpinee during December and January, you might find it a bit chilly at night, especially if you come from a warmer climate. In this case, pack a light sweater or wear long pants. If you come from a colder climate, you’ll find the temperature comfortable. Shorts and a T-shirt will do the job.
June Through October
June through October is Bangkok’s rainy season. If you visit Lumpinee Stadium during this time, bring an umbrella or a poncho. After all, you’ll have to walk to and from the stadium to the main road in order to catch a taxi or get to the nearest MRT station. You wouldn’t want to be soaked by the rain. When it’s not raining, it’s very hot in Thailand during these months, so shorts and a T-shirt should do.
What Shouldn’t You Wear To Lumpinee Stadium?
Aside from what I mentioned in the previous sections, you want to avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes to Lumpinee Stadium. High heels, dress shoes, or other formal footwear might cause blisters or other issues. This is especially true if you’re sitting in the bleachers and have to walk up and down the stairs to get to the bathroom.
What Should You Bring To A Muay Thai Fight At Lumpinee Stadium?
Aside from everything I mentioned above, there are a few other things you should bring when watching Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai. Here’s my list:
- Camera (if you have one)
- Cash (Thai Baht, of course)
- Wet wipes from 7-ELEVEN (the bathrooms may run out of toilet paper)
- Small snacks
- Umbrella or poncho (during the rainy season)
What Do Local Thais Wear To Lumpinee Stadium?
In general, Thais dress conservatively, especially if there’s a chance they’ll be seen on TV during the Muay Thai fights. Middle-aged Thai men usually wear long pants and either a polo shirt or a buttoned down shirt. Middle-aged woman usually wear long pants and a casual shirt. The younger generation doesn’t always follow the same rules, so you’ll see them dressing a little more relaxed.
Final Thoughts The Lumpinee Stadium Dress Code
Although you have to dress a certain way to enter many of Thailand’s culturally significant attractions, Lumpinee Stadium is not one of them. The Lumpinee Stadium dress code is relaxed and casual, especially since it focuses on promoting entertainment Muay Thai. The most important thing to remember when dressing for Lumpinee is to make sure you’re comfortable.
Bangkok Muay Thai Stadiums Checklist
- For an overview of all the essentials, check out my First-Time Visitor's Guide To Bangkok's Muay Thai Stadiums.
- Protect your self with travel insurance. Food poisoning, cancelled flights, motorbike accidents -- they all can and will happen in Bangkok. Use Travel Insurance Masters to find the best plan.
- Check for hotels in Bangkok near one of the Muay Thai stadiums using Expedia.com or Klook.com.
- Need advice on where to stay? Check out my guide on how to Book A Hotel near the stadiums.
- Buy a Rabbit Card from Klook that let's you travel along most of Bangkok's BTS and MRT Lines -- used by over 19,000 tourists. You can also get a one-day BTS pass.
- Stay connected with a physical SIM card from either SimOptions or True (pick it up at the airport). Alternatively, you can download an eSIM right to your phone using ESIM Thailand. You can also rent a pocket wifi router and pick it up at the airport.