This was an interesting article in The Bangkok Post newspaper. The heading was:
Military-Style Camouflage Clothing is Now a Fashion Taboo.
The Defence Council has decided there is a real danger attached to the wrong people making a fashion statement by wearing clothes styled after military uniforms.
Insurgents in the far South have been known to plant bombs wearing what look like military camouflage uniforms. The deputy spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said it is against the law for civilians to pose as soldiers. The punishment under the Military Uniforms Act of 1934 is a jail term of between three months and five years. However, children are exempt.
The good news: Offenders may escape punishment if they show they are not trying to pass themselves off as soldiers. Shops are also urged to exercise discretion when selling military-style clothes.
The council's anxiety over the popularity of military fashions surprised both sellers and buyers of military clothing.
''Don't they have anything more important to think about, like the country's security?'' the owner of Tongchat shop, which sells camouflage clothing and camping equipment at Chatuchak weekend market.
The owner of JJ Army shop, also at Chatuchak, said soldiers' trousers, T-shirts and jackets were popular with adventurous tourists and youngsters playing BB gun games.
However, American soldiers' uniforms seemed to be more popular than Thai military clothing.
I like this statement. “I think the authorities would be better advised to look into those who dress like policeman and squeeze money from people,''
The deputy photo editor of Sarakadee Magazine, who is a fan of soldier uniforms, also disagreed with the clampdown. He chose to wear military outfits because they made his work easier in the field, especially in the jungle or in emergency situations.
''Good quality military clothes are light and help cool the body. I use them because they are suitable for my job, not because I want to look like a soldier.
My take on all this is: what a waste of time. Like the other person stated: There are many more important things that need to be taken care of in Thailand. I haven’t read one news article in a newspaper that related to a person impersonating a soldier committing offences. I am sure there are people wearing military style clothes that have committed offences but not many.
Military style clothing is a popular business, there are a few large stored here in Ubon. It carries mostly American style uniforms and truthfully they are very expensive for a Thai person to buy.
I can also say that in Ubon the amount of times I see people wearing this army style clothing is rare, you see the odd man or teenagers in camouflaged shirts but not usually the whole kit and caboodle.
In the South of Thailand where senseless murders and bombings happen virtually everyday, then maybe put a ban on them but for Bangkok and North eastern Thailand, why hurt traders who are already struggling to make a living.
But again this is just my opinion on the subject. The Thai government needs to work out the circus that is going on there at the moment and the childish antics they are playing; sadly they are forgetting about their people, they are more interested in the finger pointing, bribery claims, vote rigging and so forth and the bigger picture of helping Thailand and the people who voted them into office has fallen by the wayside.
Even I am sitting and thinking about how much better it would be to have Thaksin the ex-prime minister back at the helm of the country. I believe he would be better than at this present time the current leadership team, but again it is early in this new government’s term and to be fair they need a little more time to get things together.
Any person in a new job needs time to find his feet and this also goes for Samak the Prime Minister. He is unlike any Prime Minister Thailand has seen before and some people are finding this hard to take. He is very forward and at times borders being rude or disrespectful but again these are his ways, he isn’t trying to be something he’s not. He’s straight forward and says what’s on his mind, times when he needed to bite his tongue, have failed him, but this is a good trait, I believe.
I hope that he does find his feet quickly and his cabinet around him also likewise. Thailand has so much potential; with good leadership and guidance this could come to fruition in years to come but I won’t hold my breath as it could be years and years to come, well after my time.
Brunty.
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