Respecting the Thai People with Appropriate Behaviour and Clothing for this Mourning Period

We spoke to Belle from The Tourist Association of Koh Phangan to get the facts on appropriate clothing and behaviour for The King’s mourning period.

Sawadee Ka Belle, how long is the mourning period and what should people wear?
It is officially one year of mourning for the whole of Thailand but it depend on the people on how long they dress in mourning colours, Government workers will wear black for one year however others will just wear for one month.

It is your choice whether to show respect, you can wear a black ribbon on your shirt or in your hair as some people have to wear a uniform so this is why we have ribbons.

What are the colours/shades that are recommended to be worn?
White, black or grey but you can wear any colour. If you are wearing red or green etc then you can wear a black ribbon, some people have no money for new shirts so the black ribbon is a way of still showing respect.

It will be for one month that dark colours will be worn but people can wear for longer if they chose to.

If you need a black ribbon then they are available at the information desk at Thong Sala Pier for free.

How should tourists and expats behave towards Thai people during this time?
Be very polite and give extra respect to the Thai people people as they are very sad. Don’t offend them and make them more upset with rude behaviour, be good.

You can still play music but not too loud and alcohol is still being served.

“Koh phangan is still relaxed and there is still the same amount of people coming every day”

Have any tourists spoken to you at the Pier?
Yes, many tourists come and say sorry about the king. Someone said that they were sad too as they love Thailand and the people here, and King Rama 9 is the king of kings and did many things for the people.

In a nutshell, please be respectful to the Thai people at this sad time of mourning and if you would like to show respect yourself then pull out some dark clothes to wear and go and pick up a black ribbon from Belle at Thong Sala Pier.

We also have black ribbons at the Tourist Assistance Office here at the pier, we made the ribbons with the help of Sudarat Phoomeanom from IBC Law office in Thong Sala.