Thai king sets fashion trend

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Thailand is turning pink.

Some people in the Southeast Asian country have begun donning pink shirts as a tribute to their beloved 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The trend started when he checked out of a hospital this past week wearing a pale pink collar-less shirt and pink blazer.

For about two years, Thais have shown their respect for the monarch by wearing yellow — the color that in Buddhist tradition symbolizes Monday, the weekday he was born. That fashion statement began during the 2006 celebrations of Bhumibol's 60th anniversary on the throne.

But it looks like pink is becoming the new yellow for Thais.

There was already a trend toward pink because astrologers had declared it an auspicious color for the king's 80th year. A royal emblem, using pink among other colors, was specially designed for his birthday.

But Bhumibol's appearance in pink attire has spurred interest in the new color.

The Commerce Ministry is preparing to produce 30,000 pink shirts in coming weeks to meet rising demand, said Yanyong Phuangrat, chief of the agency's domestic trade department.

"There is a high demand for pink T-shirts because it's an auspicious color for the king," Yanyong said.