The colours of money

WHILE BUSES follow roundabout routes to get their destinations and taxi drivers complain at the lack of fares, vendors are rubbing their hands with glee as they rake in cash from protesters eager to grab a souvenir of the “Great Bangkok Shutdown”.

With the People’s Democratic Reform Committee now settled at several rally sites around town, business is booming and almost daily new entrepreneurs, some of them more altruistic than others, are getting in on the act offering a range of goodies in white, red and blue.

The routes alongside the political stages running from Asoke to Chidlom and onwards to Ratchaprasong and the Pathumwan intersection have been turned into lively shopping streets, with hundreds of stalls boasting the latest in fashionable accessories and handicrafts inspired by the Thai flag. 

Chidlom has become an “Art Lane” in its own right, a vibrant venue for artists and students to showcase their ideas and creativity through a unique collection of hand-made protest-related souvenirs. 

Earlier in the week, pop art artist Kongpat “Ong” Sakdapitak teamed up with designer Wannasiri Kongman of Boyy bag brand to launch a selection of hand-painted canvas shopping bags. They’re being sold for Bt750 a pop and the proceeds are being donated the Students and People’s Network for Thailand’s Reform (STR).

Designed on the concept “wear your heart on your bag”, the totes boast a Thai flag and come in several different design variations.

“We wanted to raise funds for STR to cover food and medical costs while encouraging everyone to be creative. Our products will also be available at the Boyy Cafe in The Glass on Thonglor,” Wannasiri says. 

Silpakorn University student Nawasa Choochiam and her friend, meanwhile, are offering hand-crafted silver earrings, pendants, rings and necklaces fashioned to resemble the topography of the country. Prices are very reasonable, ranging from Bt150 to Bt350.

“We’ve been making our own jewellery for a while and selling it through Facebook,” Nawasa says. “We’re keeping our lines limited, producing just 30 pieces in each design.”

Natcha, who has set up in front of CentralWorld, is catering to protesters with deeper pockets with a selection of glittering hand-made jewellery items adorned with Swarovski crystals in red and blue. 

The bling is of international export standard and includes colourful bracelets, rings, earrings whistles, key rings and mobile phone straps in the shapes of the Thai flag and flowers, ranging in price from Bt150 to Bt1,000. 

PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban is presented as a cartoon character in a series of creative key chains designed by Kitchapat Kaobangyang. Priced at just Bt20, the illustrations show Suthep in six postures 

Cases for the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy make a statement in front of Siam Paragon with slogans such as “Shutdown Bangkok” and “Occupy Bangkok” as well as flags and maps. They’re selling for Bt100 to Bt200.

“I spend my free time designing iPhone cases, using colourful beads to form the shape of the Thai flag. They sell very fast,” says vendor Ratchaneekorn Prapaichart. 

And for those who haven’t managed to buy sufficient fashion items, you have until 6 tonight to visit the Siam Street Market at Discovery Plaza. The market is home to pop-up stores from 15 home-grown fashion brands including The Selected, The Wonder Room, Cafe Marmalade, Pro Cam Fis, Yeah!, Loft, Happy Chokas, Good Mixer, Theatre, Equinox, Animal House and Issue.

Among the goodies are three-dimensional Swing bags and totes from The Selected and caps and tees by Issue bearing His Majesty the King’s words “We will reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people” in a form of a saxophone. 

Sisters Arisanee and Pattanee Chokassut of Happy Chokas offer a range of hand-made pendants, earrings, necklaces and bracelets in the national colours.

“We want to promote unity and harmony in our country,” says Pattanee.