Thailand revealed what their athletes would don for the opening ceremony in Paris next week. And Thais are not the least impressed, not one bit

Thai badminton star Sapsiree Taerattanachai showed off what his compatriots would be wearing in Paris. Photo: stadiumth/Facebook

With Mongolia clearly in the lead, it is hard for other Asian nations to catch up in the style stakes for the grand Olympic parade next week. Yesterday, Thailand revealed what their athletes would be wearing online and the nation’s Netizens were far from beaming with pride. In fact, as it was in Malaysia earlier, the Thai athletes’ suit for the opening ceremony was met with derision after it was shared online yesterday. Many mocked it for looking outdated, comparing it to what a “municipal mayor would wear when attending a housewarming party” or looking like a “Thai village headman”. One commentator, sharing an image of the avuncular style of Prawit Wongsuwon on Facebook, wrote that the jacket was “inspired by the fashion of the President of the Olympic Committee of Thailand.”

Who the designer of the jacket is was not revealed. And why only the male athletes’ uniform was shown isn’t clear either. The jacket featured appeared to be in the style of the suea phraratchathan, a traditional tunic style top that is now made more tailored and roomier. Indigo-dyed, it comes with a stand collar, placket, and turn-up cuffs in contrast, traditionally-patterned fabric. It is paired with black trousers, like an afterthought. Responding to the negative reactions to the design of the suea (shirt), prime minister Srettha Thavisin said that the pattern was inspired by those from Ban Chiang (in the north), a World Heritage Site. Thai media quoted him opining, “When you say your clothes or mine are outdated, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, isn’t it?” His comment, to many, affirmed the belief that the design team “had to please senior figures. Otherwise, the design would not be approved”.

…the design team “had to please senior figures. Otherwise, the design would not be approved”

Defending the look of the garment, Mr Thavisin wrote on Facebook, “Patterns from the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site have inspired a design team. The outfit reflects a combination of Thai cultural heritage and internationalisation.” That could easily be explanation for Miss Universe Thailand’s gowns. A Thai graphic designer told us, “the problem is not with the traditional patterns. It really is the shape of the garment. And the styling. This is not for waiters at the Blue Elephant!” One commercial stylist said that the jacket is so typical of tourism officials’ idea of “Thainess”. He added, “for a moment, I thought this was the new uniform for the flight steward of Thai Airways!”

Like many other countries in this region, it is likely that approval of the athletes uniforms comes from older officials who are more concerned with national pride than fashion to be proud of. It is understandable that the Thai Olympic Committee would like something more traditional and conservative, but with the Olympic participants mainly the young and the events watched by the young, it is not surprising that the young who cheer their favourite athletes want their sport stars to be attired in clothes they can relate to. Thai officials should look at how influencer, Kalasin native Chaiyamaha Maipraewa, promotes traditional Thai clothes on social media. He not only shows how the different sueas are worn (by wearing them in front of the camera), but how to look good in them. And a smashing turnout is all that fans of their nation’s Olympians really want, especially on a global stage.

Update (19 July, 17:00): According to the Bangkok Post, the National Olympic Committee of Thailand caved in before public outcry and has decided to “change athletes’ Olympic uniform”. No official images have been shared with the media so far, except a photo of star athlete, the badminton player Sapsiree Taerattanachai, in what appears to be a track top. It is unlikely that a new outfit can be produced in such a short time. The Thai athletes probably have to wear for the opening ceremony what comes with the competition kit