Thai Olympic team changes uniforms after criticism

The National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) decided to change the outfits before the opening ceremony in Paris on July 26. One of the four new uniforms is a dark blue jacket with a red vertical stripe down the middle. The outfit features patterns inspired by Ban Chiang pottery designs, created by sports equipment manufacturing company Grand Sports and four other units.

One of the four new uniforms of the Thai Olympic team. Photo by NOCT

According to the Bangkok Post, the previous outfit was introduced through a photoshoot with Thai badminton star Sapsiree Taerattanachai. Many spectators in the country criticized the uniform as being bland. Some comments said the outfit resembled the style of local officials’ attire in administrative meetings, and lacking the Olympic competitive spirit.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin responded that spectators should respect the designers, as beauty is subjective to each individual. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said the outfit aims to promote Thailand’s soft power, made using environmentally friendly technology with fabric recycled from plastic bottles.

The fashion of Olympic teams this year is of interest to spectators before the opening ceremony. One of the countries praised for its uniform is Mongolia, whose attire features a traditional dress with stylized embroidery of a flame—an Olympic symbol and a mythical image in their country.

The Olympics will take place in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11, with 10,672 athletes from 196 countries and territories competing in 392 events across 32 sports. This is the third time France has hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games, after 1900 and 1924.