---
node: garment_suea_phraratchathan
type: garment
slug: suea_phraratchathan
title: "Suea phraratchathan"
lead: "The suea phraratchathan is the formal Thai shirt for men, a stand-collared, buttoned shirt in short- or long-sleeved form introduced by King Bhumibol in the 1970s. It serves as a national alternative to the Western suit for official and ceremonial wear."
published: 2026-08-10
updated: 2026-08-10
image_file: suea_phraratchathan.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anand_Panyarachun.jpg"
image_author: "Government of Thailand"
image_license: "CC BY 2.0"
---

## Overview

A suea phraratchathan (royally bestowed shirt) is a plain shirt with an upright mandarin collar and a front button placket, made in versions from an everyday short-sleeved shirt to a long-sleeved formal one worn with a sash for the grandest occasions. Cut from Thai silk or cotton, it is dignified and suited to the climate.

## How it is worn

It is worn buttoned to the collar with trousers, plain for daily official dress and, in its most formal long-sleeved form with a sabai-like sash, for state ceremonies and weddings. It gives Thai men a national formal dress that needs no jacket or necktie.

## History

King Bhumibol Adulyadej introduced the suea phraratchathan in 1979 as a modern Thai formal shirt, drawing on the earlier raj-pattern jacket, so that men would have a national dress to match the women's chut thai. It is now standard formal and official wear for Thai men.