Police will get a new look this year following a redesign of the famously tight uniforms which have not changed for almost a century. The new uniforms, proposed by the national police chief, will be more comfortable and more suited to Thailand's hot climate, although some police say they are opposed to the change

Story by THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL, Photos by APICHART JINAKUL and PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
This will probably be another stressful year in Thailand, with the continuing political mess and unresolved regional conflicts. But there also will be events that take the edge off, such as the facelift for the Thai police uniform. The colour and style of the dark khaki outfits have not changed for almost a century.

Police will get a new look this year after national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej proposed redesigning the famously tight uniforms.

Although the idea has not received positive endorsement from all policemen around the country, Pol Gen Seripisuth says 96% have agreed to change their working uniform.

The police chief thought it was time police uniforms were made more comfortable and more suited to Thailand's hot climate.

The new uniform, he said, will also save energy because less air-conditioning will be needed in police stations or at police posts. The new uniform will keep the men cooler, he said, unlike the current uniform which is made from heat-trapping thick cloth.

The new uniform will remain the same colour - khaki, which represents the land - that has been used since the police force was first established by King Rama V.

"The current uniform, however, will not be dumped, as it can be upgraded for official use, such as guarding the Royal Family and for ceremonies," said a police officer who has been involved with the new-look outfit.

"The new uniform will be worn for all routine tasks, such as directing traffic, patrolling or working in police offices or stations," the source said.

Two police officers in the new uniforms proposed by national chief Gen Seripisuth Temiyavej talk to Pol Lt-Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, police spokesman and assistant to the police chief.
Police officers wear the old police uniforms during a recent procession.

The current, tight uniforms cause health problems, particularly skin diseases. The new uniform will be lighter. The shirt's front zipper will be replaced with buttons to ensure better ventilation.

Corpulent officers will also be able to breathe easier once free of the constriction of the present shirts.

Metal, pinned-on badges will be replaced with cloth badges sewn onto the shirts.

"Now, when police work on crowd control during a demonstration, they have to remove their metal badges to prevent them from being torn off. Some badges are expensive. This is inconvenient," said the source.

Unnecessary badges will also be removed. The only important information is name, unit and rank, the source said.

The stiff military-style peaked cap, which is ungainly and difficult to hold in the hand, will be replaced with a beret.

Not only the men will benefit. Policewomen will also get a new look. It is still at the design stage but will be unveiled soon.

The Royal Thai Police Office will provide each officer with enough of the new fabric to make two shirts. The money will come from the police welfare fund.

A traffic policeman in the current uniform conducts traffic. The current police uniform is said to be uncomfortable when worn as it is heat-trapping. It will be replaced by a new design early this year.

To offset the cost, officers will be allowed to wear their existing black or khaki slacks and skirts.

Meanwhile, a police panel is listening to comments about the new design, and may incorporate other ideas before the final launch.

Once everything is set, people will see police officers in two different new uniforms - short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts, with khaki or black trousers.

"If traffic police feel they will be overexposed to the sun while on duty they can choose to wear long sleeves, or they can wear their police jacket if they are cold. It will be flexible," said the source.

However, some police interviewed by the Bangkok Post are opposed to the new look. They say most officers disagree with the uniform change, but do not dare to openly oppose their boss.

On only one detail, the cap, do officers agree that a change is needed.

They said the new uniform looks too casual. The current uniform, they said, is more austere and makes bad people fear them.

"If [Pol Gen Seripisuth] wants to change something, he should change the police equipment, like walkie-talkies and other things that police need to do their job," one officer said. Many police walkie-talkies were out of order.

Traffic police have never complained about their current uniform because they are used to wearing it, he said.