Thailand’s prime minister and the colorful history of sock diplomacy

[webfact]

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s unconventional fashion statements have drawn criticism after he wore bright-colored socks to meetings with world leaders last week.

 

The Thai PM appeared in bubblegum-pink socks and tie in Beijing last Wednesday (Oct 19), when he met separately with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 

Thai PM Srettha Thavisin meets with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Beijing in October.

On Saturday, he changed into bright red socks for an audience with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Riyadh.

 

Thai PM Srettha Thavisin talks to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

 

TOP Photo shows Thai PM Srettha Thavisin (L) and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (R).

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-24

 

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[dinsdale]

Who cares.

ps bring back reactions not just number of posts.

[hotchilli]

Could be worse, waiting for the rainbow socks.

[nobodysfriend]

Pink = gay ...?

Red = communist ...?

His choice of socks is certainly not part of the dress code for politicians , but might express some liberalism , what is a good thing .

[Cake Monster]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s unconventional fashion statements have drawn criticism after he wore bright-colored socks to meetings with world leaders last week.

Total lack of an dress sense me thinks

[bamnutsak]

He looks like a Circus Clown.

 

Brown shoes? And pretty ratty looking.

 

Can you imagine if we showed up at Immigration dressed like that?

 

 

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, bamnutsak said:

He looks like a Circus Clown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is more than one clown in those photos.

[mfd101]

Pink does need mean 'gay' in Thailand. It was a favourite colour of the late king.

[klauskunkel]

The former government at least had watches, with this one we are all the way down to socks!

I dread what the future holds...

[bamnutsak]

9 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Pink does need mean 'gay' in Thailand. It was a favourite colour of the late king.

 

I thought it meant "Tuesday"?

 

Or sincere love, or wishes for good health.

 

(That was why pink was so prevalent as the previous MOnarch's health waned.)

 

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, klauskunkel said:

The former government at least had watches, with this one we are all the way down to socks!

I dread what the future holds...

Borrowed socks? Yuk 

[brianthainess]

Can't wait for his Christmas socks.

[fondue zoo]

 

Some young TikTok staffer advised him it would make him more "fun" for the younger voters.

 

 

he still reminds me of Woody

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

Borrowed socks? Yuk 

from a dead friend

[Will B Good]

I have met a few people who seem to confuse dressing like a knob with it somehow equating to them having character.....nope you're just a knob.

[Crossy]

Mixed-wash accident.

 

We have the technology ...

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

6 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

Total lack of an dress sense me thinks

Tut tut. Never mock a leader of fashion. Next trip you will see his Rupert Bear suit on show.