Is a short sleeve button-down shirt acceptable at Chiang Mai immigration?

sorry, my humor filter was on and I missed the joke ;)

@Ivan ***********

no its no wife beater shirts. You know Marlon Brando in Street Car wardrobe.

That picture is from Chaengwattana, it is NOT from Chiang Mai.

What?? No rubba slippa's?

I think the issue with the "Shirt Top" in that image is that it has a bare midriff, not the short sleeves.

Yes, the T30 form is hugely important in CM. Some of my friends have been fined for not having it.

Bill I guess my view is that what actually happens is of more relevance than "official policy" if that can even be discerned. And "what actually happens" is going to come in the form of anecdotes. There isn't a consistent policy across all immigration offices, they all run differently.

The image you posted was not from Chiang Mai, "Immigration Division 1" looks like Bangkok, and as such people's anecdotes from Chiang Mai are more valuable IMO to what you need to do than your trying to interpret a sign from Bangkok.

I'd be more concerned about having your TM30 in order- something that matters in Chiang Mai but that Bangkok simply doesn't care about.

A short sleeve shirt isn't going to be a issue.

Bill why are you asking here if you don't want people's anecdotal experiences? I don't believe there are any "official regulations" on this, in the sense of a law that you have to wear certain clothes to immigration. It's all subjective and a matter of etiquette and down to the individual immigration office and the mood of the people there on the day. So we can tell you that 100% there is no issue with a short sleeve shirt, but if you want to be uber-respectful then in general yes long sleeves are more respectful. They are not required for immigration though.

In practice, unless you dressed like a hobo, or extremely skimpily, it's not going to be an issue... and to be honest 90% of the time not even then, they don't in practice usually have an issue with things like short shorts, miniskirts or strappy tops either.

There are isolated cases of people being refused where they looked terrible... like wearing dirty wifebeaters, that sort of thing... so just make a tiny modicum of effort as to your dress and you will have no issues, they are NOT uber-picky on this, they just want a minimum.

@Bill *******

I hear you. It's obviously your first visit there. You'll be fine.

Bill Pierce Not many people respect this.. I was there yesterday and there were many people in shorts and tshirts. I think that as long as you look and behave politely, you'll be fine. What you describe as your attire for your visit is absolutely fine. Are you more likely to be viewed with a higher sense of respect? yes. But would they turn you away because you're wearing shorts? I've never heard or seen this happen. FYI, I wore a long sleeve shirt and long dark jeans with dressy Adidas shoes not because of the dress code but because I enjoy dressing nicely.