Old Siam: Tourists insist on seeing Thais in baggy bloomers

First there was that bit of “drama” about how best to promote traditional Siamese apparel.

Then, for Songkran, witty restaurant chain Burger King rode the current by giving patrons dressed in classic Thai garb free hamburgers. That certainly worked. It seems like the old-fashioned clothing is more popular now than it has been in a century, to the point that the Tourism Authority is encouraging everyday people to wear the outfits too. 

Deputy Governor Sugree Sithivanich tells Prachachat Turakij that the authority is negotiating with the big mall chains, including Central and The Mall, to offer discounts to any shoppers who arrive looking like they just stepped off the set of “The Legend of King Naresuan”. 

The campaign, if it happens, would be countrywide, and the authority is hoping it can be geld during June and July. The idea is to promote Thai culture while at the same time goosing tourism during the low season. You’re going to need a khon mask.

 

No-show Peter gets the boot

Last time Soopsip was yakking about rock-star-turned-actor Peter Corp Dyrendal, he’d just escaped the wrath of a TV production team after being a tad too casual about his responsibilities regarding the new series “Sailab Rak Puan”. Basically he didn’t show up for the shoot, which certainly would have been annoying. 

Now, however, we’re hearing that he has indeed been punished for his aloofness – as in, he’s been sacked.

The series’ producer, Narit “Pap” Yuwaboon, tells our sister newspaper Kom Chad Leuk that Peter has been ditched from the show. Apparently, after apologising for skipping the first day’s shoot, Peter was given a second chance, and then turned around and went AWOL it again!

“He was absent on the first day of shooting and then he turned up when we rehearsed the action scenes, but then when we started shooting again, he didn’t show up – twice,” Narit says. “I don’t know if it’s because he has some problem in his personal life or not.”

Nor do we, but meanwhile Narit isn’t going to wait around playing “Where’s Waldo”. “We’re now looking at four or five other actors and we’re also seeking advice from Channel 3.”

 

Teasing almost over

Fans have been keen to pick up any further news about actress “Chompoo” Araya A Hargate and her beau, Virarut “Nott” Rangsrisingpipat, since they announced their engagement late last year. 

Chompoo is finally past the tiresome stage of having to constantly respond to fans and reporters bugging her about if and when she’d ever get married. Now she’s dealing with persistent begging for updates by trickling out titbits of information. She posted the latest – her invitation cards to her wedding dated May 6 – along with several pre-wedding photos – on Instagram as @chominlove. 

The card is simple yet classy, with the initials A and V in a golden font. 

Next up are a pair of “big days”. The couple will tie the knot at a ceremony closed to the press and public on May 6 and then host a gala wedding reception at the Plaza Athenee Hotel on May 10.