The New Taboo: Military Clothing

They gave the “flower putsch” back in September 2006 that certain extra – the pom pom girls who wore military outfits: Caps, skirts, blouses sporting those camouflage colors, while those light girls were happily dancing in front of the heavy boys and their tanks.

At a sales office recently, I was astonished to meet a girl wearing the classic yellow shirt – and a military skirt! Now that’s a new sales technique: A combination of the ever-present yellow and military-camouflage. If that’s no political statement?

But, as the Bangkok Post recently told us, the Defense Council has decided that military-style camouflage clothing is now a fashion taboo. Goodbye you fashionable wannabe-soldiers. The council suggests: For those enjoying to wear fancy military gear “take the clothes out of the closet and dye them.” As if the military’s image had suffered after the coup … At least children are exempt from the ban:

By Wassana Nanuam & Kultida Samabuddhi, Bangkok Post

The council feels 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.

Peerapong Manakij, the deputy spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said it is against the law for civilians to pose as soldiers, the Post reported on March 31st, 2008.

The punishment under the Military Uniforms Act of 1934 is a jail term of between three months and five years. However, children are exempt.

Military fatigues – intended to have a massive impact as psychological warfare – have inspired local and international clothes designers whose collections are widely available and are now common street wear.

Maj-Gen Peerapong said wearing clothes which resemble a full or partial military uniform is nonetheless illegal. Police will be asked to cooperate.

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 spokesman said Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej agreed with the move.

For those who own military fatigues, the council suggests they “take the clothes out of the closet and dye them”.

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?” said Wuthichai Phuttaraksa, the owner of Tongchat shop, which sells camouflage clothing and camping equipment at Jatujak weekend market.

He said it did not make any sense to ban military fashions.

The outfits have nothing to do with criminal acts or the military’s image.

He believed most people did not intend to “dress like soldiers”, but wore the clothes because they were suitable for certain activities, or simply because it made them look good.

“In fact, soldiers should be proud that people love their outfits. This reflects people’s positive perceptions towards the soldiers,” he said.

Veena Poonchako, the owner of JJ Army shop, also at Jatujak, 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, she added.

“The concern [over people wearing military uniforms] is unreasonable. I think the authorities would be better advised to look into those who dress like policeman and squeeze money from people,” she said.

Bansit Bunyaratavej, the deputy photo editor of Sarakadee Magazine who is a fan of soldier uniforms, also disagreed with the clampdown. Mr Bansit said 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.”

“If the military is so worried about its image, it should work harder to create trust and credibility among the public instead of prohibiting people from wearing its uniforms,” he said.

Addendum: The bold statement of the army? After the men in green enjoyed that post-coup-fashion, they obviously don’t want to be associated with the slightest populism anymore.