Black & White Kingdom
Black and white, at the ends of the visible light spectrum, are not really colors. Even less in Thailand. The kingdom’s like a motley bouquet of wild and unique flowers. But in these days of the “people’s revolution,” black and white are new colors of choice.
People start wearing black and white – to show they’re neutral. Black and white as a symbol of being fed up with this side and tired of that side. Even over at the fresh markets, you’ll see more black and more white.
After embattled Prime Minister Samak’s Thursday morning monologue to the nation dedicated to the theme “Don’t even think I’m going to quit,” black and white may become even more prominent. “The country needs a leader”, he said, “and the world is watching us.”
Relief for some, more anger for others – and an extension of the silent majority’s political apathy. We don’t know what colors Samak was wearing, but keep your eyes wide open for further silent hints of political symbolism to pop up.
Black and white are heavy in symbolism. Black absorbs all light in the color spectrum. Black is often used as a symbol of grief, menace or evil, but also as an indicator of power and submission.
White to symbolize innocence and purity – and grief as well in Thailand. White is neutral and goes with everything. Shows, however, the tiniest spot of dirt and is therefore difficult to keep clean.
Black and white, explaining it all.
“Can’t get cheap or free maids or workers any longer” is at the core of PAD’s mission to consolidate the patronage system – see comments by VOILA @ Bangkok Post
Anagrams 4 success @ the polls: McCain’s Palin’ at the thought of confronting Obama Biden’s laden challenge …
Without thinking, nearly left the house with my preferred red shirt this morning. Unimaginable what could have happened …
There are two options now, as political doomsday cult leader Sondhi told CNN that he doesn’t want this or that anymore, he just wants to talk with Samak.
Either PAD will go for the martyrdom with some act of kamikaze to instigate violence of the scale finally forcing the army to move in.
Or the standoff drags on and the PAD bleeds to death slowly. If protesters are allowed to leave Govt House compound, but not allowed to reenter, that would significantly speed up the collapse of the PAD doomsayers.
I’m not calling the housewives and students and workers in the PAD crowd doomsayers, but let’s face it. At the core of the movement there are some very disturbing mechanisms at work.
BangkokDan
[...] more interesting and relevant take on the importance of wardrobe is this piece from Absolutely Bangkok about how people are forsaking the team colors and just going with black and white. People start [...]