Focus on the ideas not the uniforms
Why is Thailand so totally obsessed with uniforms?
It begins with educational institutions, where teachers are required to wear different uniforms depending on the occasion and day.
We have dress uniforms, scout uniforms, sport uniforms, day-of-culture uniforms, etc.
It’s no wonder that the populace is conditioned to wear clothing to show their allegiance at every slightest change in political manoeuvring. However, after years of protest, we reached a national crisis point. Uniform-shirts of yellow, red, black, white, purple and multi-hue have been worn with fervour, and we are fast running out of colours.
Meanwhile the Army has shrugged off the absence of foreign conflict and joined in the fun, festooning medals and ribbons across the chests of our many fearless junta leaders. Even the have got in on the act, sporting ribbons probably presented annually for their triumphs in fining motorcyclists for trivial offences.
Thailand certainly has an identity crisis, and it would be great if it concentrated its focus on substance rather than style.
Rod Grierson
Chiang Rai
