Dressing Thai
Abstract Public attire and policies governing it have been a reoccurring feature of Siamese/Thai nation building since the nineteenth century. Clothing has been political instruments for rulers and regime in raising the global status of Siam and Siamese Kings, transforming the Kingdom of Siam into the Nation of Thailand, reviving the popularity of the monarchy, promoting national unity, and provoking political opponents. Their collective efforts during the past one and half century gradually normalised the policing of Thai bodies and increased the state control of public attire in service of the Nation. Today, despite such attire no longer being criminalised, the possible negative political, social, economic, and legal consequences of non-conformity continue to drive Thais to accept the State’s ‘invitation’ to use their bodies in promoting its agenda.