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[parrot]

There's been a fair amount of press coverage the past few days of Thais being belittled for not wearing dark clothes during this mourning period. Some people have been offered free black shirts at bus/train stations. The government is monitoring the price of black clothing in attempts to prevent price gouging. And a ranking government member has instructed non-formal government training schools to teach cloth dying techniques to allow all citizens the opportunity to mourn the passing of an individual.
http://www.dailynews.co.th/education/530429
There's no law that requires foreigners to dress appropriately during this time. Just common sense.

[wazza]

I understood that White Top was also acceptable but no idea of any formal protocol

[redwolf]

I understood that White Top was also acceptable but no idea of any formal protocol

That's correct.

According to my wife's family elders, Black is for if you are older than the person who passed. White is if you are younger than the person who passed.

In this circumstance that the age of the individual who passed was older than a large percentage of the mourners, *and* many of the younger generation are unaware of this distinction, white or black is acceptable to those "in the know". No degree of deference is diminished by wearing white.

There could be a technical answer on this matter from a high ranking monk that would be far more accurate. Said answer would also focus on more than the garment, e.g. the deeper matter of the mourner's overall conduct.

Majority public opinion is that a black funerary garment is the default.

Clarification regarding shirts:

Regardless of colour, the word "shirt" or "top" is used to indicate a garment of "religious" type, like the pullover ones used for prayer, not a "t-shirt".

RW

[stattointhailand]

So a pair of long black trousers and a white button fronted shirt is acceptable attire when going out.

[747man]

So a pair of long black trousers and a white button fronted shirt is acceptable attire when going out.

I Believe that is true...

[stattointhailand]

Bet the Chang Brewery and the Soft boiled eggs are yummy association are pretty p*ssed orf that their free farang advertising boards wont be available for a few months :-"

[wazza]

Mate of mine in Patts says business as usual. Gogos open.

Try explaining that to rhe locals who work at Tawadang. UD Beer Park Yellowbird and Rhythm

[arjay]

Does anyone know what foreigners living in Thailand are wearing and what tourists are currently wearing?

Would wearing dark blue shorts (with white legs!) be considered respectful? And what about light coloured shorts with a patterned shirt (for tourists)?

[BobHelm]

I think it very much depends what you are doing RJ.

Walking around & shopping in Udon there seems to be minimal regard to just black or white clothes - although brightly coloured stuff certainly seems a 'no no'.

However I think if attending any sort of Government Office on business then anything other than long dark trousers & a dark or white shirt for the next 30 days is probably insensitive..

[stattointhailand]

Mate of mine in Patts says business as usual. Gogos open.

Try explaining that to rhe locals who work at Tawadang. UD Beer Park Yellowbird and Rhythm

Twas same as usual at "Little Pattaya" Koh Chang even a couple of hours after the death announcement. Got told the police had been round and told them to close "Tomorrow" (Friday), but don't know if they did. Noticed lots of bars still open in the other direction on Friday when I drove past, but didn't go and check at LP.

wazza did your friend say if the gogos had any music ........ last time I visited I commented that the girls didn't need music as none were doing anything that resembled dancing anyway

[wazza]

Stats

Didnt say.

[747man]

Does anyone know what foreigners living in Thailand are wearing and what tourists are currently wearing?

Would wearing dark blue shorts (with white legs!) be considered respectful? And what about light coloured shorts with a patterned shirt (for tourists)?

NOT With WHITE Legs.....White Shorts ( No Pattern & White Shirts are O.K )

[12345]

Wear anything you want and are comfy in. Was in town UT yesterday, and saw quite a bit of black, but nothing like the weekend, but also saw a lot of color, so basically back to normal, with more black being worn, but nothing like I expected.

Drove down Soi Samphan, bars open, and sipping curbside.

I actually wore a black ribbon on my blue-ish plaid shirt, as sun high and hot, so not wearing black, and felt stupid even bothering to wear. But wife made, so what the hell.

[samuel]

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow

[arjay]

I shall be visiting Bangkok shortly (as a tourist and not on any official matters). The challenge for me is that most of my shirts are of the short-sleeved blue patterned variety. I propose to pair those up with shorts (dark blue or off-white), though I have a dark blue pair trousers and dark blue plain shirt in reserve.

[stattointhailand]

I suppose it is really down to the individual and how much respect you have for the Royal family. The Thai people and the country that you have chosen to be in

Only thing I would say, was if a farang turned up at a shop where I was working, expecting to get served, dressed in coloured shorts and dirty or torn t shirt, he would still be stood there at closing time

[12345]

Amazing Thailand........charts on how to mourn........go figure.

This should suffice and show respect. Pinned on left side of shirt, no matter color. Mere black ribbon pinned on.

Anyone that's been in town yesterday or today, will realize, some postings are all a little silly, as it's fairly back to normal. Yes, more black than usual, but after this weekend, doubt if any will be noticed at all. I think my ribbon showed more respect than majority of locals going about their business, and why I felt a little silly wearing.

[Zidane]

By co-incidence we have just been in Bangkok for 4 days (Friday to Monday).....trip booked months ago.
On the plane,outbound and return,I wore a long sleeved white shirt with long black shorts (below the knee).Most Thais on the flights wore black but not all.
In Bangkok,with so many tourists,its a different story.True,most Thais wore some form of black or dark clothing but farang tourists seemed to be wearing what they wanted.I wore a dark blue polo shirt and a dark blue and white polo shirt whilst I was there and nobody batted an eyelid.
I see your main problem being your white legs !..... Have you got some creosote in your shed you could use in the interim ?........
Incidentally, I noticed that no alcohol was being sold in Tops or The Emporium for the duration of our stay.Today in Udon,at Tesco Lotus Extra,I see they are not selling alcohol till tomorrow 19th October.
Alcohol was served,as normal,at our hotel.
One point for people who are planning to go to Bangkok for a weekend in the near future.....the traffic in the city is even more horrendous than usual because of Thais heading towards The Grand Palace.
It took 2 hours from Dom Mueang to our hotel in Pratunam and I believe a journey from Suvarnabhumi would be similar.
From Victory Monument to Petchburi road (about 1.5km)it took 45 minutes.
But going out of the city to the airports,traffic was flowing freely and journey times would be normal.

[arjay]

Thanks Zidane for a very informative and helpful post. (Our roving reporter right there in the city with live reports).

That's a good point re the traffic. Sounds like it will be the train from Swampy to Makhasan and then MRT to Sukhumvit. Though the MRT can be a chore with luggage - getting cases through the automatic gates, but that's another story.

I may have to get my white legs tattoo'd in a suitable dark colour.

[Udon Map]

Though the MRT can be a chore with luggage - getting cases through the automatic gates, but that's another story.

If you ask (or motion, if you can't speak Thai), the security guard will open the wide side gate adjacent to the regular entrance gates. Give him/her your card/ticket and s/he will deal with the machine for you.