Thai Chut Thai: Royal Dress Code Guide
Queen Sirikit's Codification
Chut Thai (ชุดไทย, literally "Thai outfit") refers to Thailand's national dress as codified in the 1960s by Queen Sirikit. Recognizing that traditional Thai dress was disappearing under Western influence, the Queen commissioned research into historical Siamese garments and created eight official styles for women — each suited to different occasions from daily wear to state ceremonies.
The Eight Women's Styles
Chut Thai Ruean Ton is the most casual — a simple sinh (wrapped skirt) with a collarless blouse, suitable for everyday wear. Chut Thai Chakkraphat features a pleated sinh with a shawl-like sbai draped over one shoulder — worn for royal ceremonies. Chut Thai Siwilai is the most formal — a brocade sinh with an elaborately embroidered sbai, worn for royal audiences and state banquets.
Men's Chut Thai
Men's chut Thai is simpler: the suea phraratchathan (royal-bestowed shirt) — a mandarin-collar jacket buttoned to one side, paired with trousers. The jacket color indicates formality: white for daytime ceremonies, dark colors for evening events. Men also wear the chong kraben (wrapped cloth trousers) for the most traditional occasions.
- 8 women's styles: casual to state-level formality
- Sinh: wrapped skirt, foundation of all women's styles
- Sbai: shoulder shawl, draped for formal occasions
- Men: mandarin-collar suea phraratchathan jacket
- Modern use: palace visits, Songkran, weddings
