In one of Bangkok’s bustling markets, over a hundred wholesalers began selling black clothing at dawn, with some even offering deep discounts.
This is to commemorate the late Thai Queen Mother Sirikit. Sirikit was the mother of King Vajiralongkorn and died on October 24 at the age of 93.
According to AFP, at one stall, rows of black T-shirts were hung next to a banner that read “Black T-shirt 40 Baht” – much cheaper than the usual price of 200 to 500 Baht, drawing a steady stream of customers.
“We’re selling at this price so that all Thais can wear black clothes to pay their respects to the Queen Mother,” said vendor Thanachot. He launched the promotion shortly after the Royal Family announced Queen Sirikit’s passing.
The Thai Royal Family holds a central place in Thai society, with portraits of the royals found in homes, offices, and public places nationwide.
Since the Queen Mother’s passing, the government declared a year-long mourning period for officials and called on the public to wear black or white clothing for 90 days.
Authorities Warn Merchants Not to Hike Prices
The Ministry of Commerce warned vendors not to inflate prices, establishing a hotline for complaints.
Seizing the opportunity, some shopping center boutiques and wholesalers have switched their stock to more subdued tones, but 53-year-old Thanachot says he’s suffered heavy losses selling shirts at least 100 Baht below cost over the past week.
He told AFP reporters: “My life is stable now, and I have no debts, so selling at a loss is not a problem for me.”
“I just want to do something for the Queen Mother and the Royal Family,” said Thanachot, dressed all in black. “They have done so much for Thailand; now it’s my turn to give back.”
Thanachot said he will give away 200 shirts for free to the elderly and low-income families.
Nupa, a 57-year-old farmer from Khon Kaen in northeastern Thailand, said she was very grateful for receiving two free collared black shirts from his stall.
“My hometown has black shirts, but here (in Bangkok) there aren’t any.”
She added, “I love the monarchy, so I will wear this shirt to mourn the Queen Mother.”
Sales Drop Sharply
At another nearby stall, vendor Anut and his assistant sat with heads down, playing on their phones. A sign at the stall read, “Two black shirts for 100 Baht.”
He said that compared with previous royal mourning periods, sales have dropped significantly. “I used to sell much more… Now I’m selling at a loss, and almost no one comes to buy.”
He said the low prices are both “a tribute and a clearance sale”, since a large stock of black shirts is printed with the Thai numeral “nine”—originally produced for mourning the late King Bhumibol (Rama IX).
In 2016, King Vajiralongkorn’s father Bhumibol passed away. He was one of the world’s longest-reigning monarchs, and all of Thailand mourned for a full year.
Facing Competition from Online Sellers
At another stall, a variety of colored shirts—including black—were on sale at normal prices, starting from 199 Baht.
Shop assistant Chit said sales had dropped this year, with only about 50 shirts sold each day recently, compared to 400 a day during previous royal mourning periods.
He said, “Competition from online sellers is intense. And the economic situation isn’t good now either.”
Scholar: Nature of Mourning Has Changed
Pavin, a scholar of the Thai monarchy and a former Thai diplomat, said public mourning for the Queen Mother differs from the grief over the late King, calling it “the clearest indicator of dramatic change in Thailand’s political landscape.”
He said, “The older generation and government employees are strictly following the regulations regarding wearing black clothing and attending official mourning ceremonies.”
But Pavin believed that nationwide sentiment in the past week has reflected more of an “institutional compliance” rather than “deep, heartfelt sorrow.”