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Published on December 5, 2007

"I go in and out [of Siriraj Hospital] and it [my outfit] needs to be changed. If I only wear my uniform, it will be too dull," he said in his annual address to the nation.

Since he checked out of hospital on November 7, the King has worn eight different colours. The day he checked out, he wore a pink blazer and a pink-collar dress shirt.

That sparked another craze, with Thais starting to wear pink to honour their beloved monarch. It was fuelled by the belief that pink was the King's lucky colour.

However, His Majesty said his different outfits were doing nothing more than adding some colour to his life.

"I'm old but I don't want to dress in a boring way," he said.

He said he could wear any colour. "The other day I wore pink and there was excitement, but then I wore green and then red. Red is not my auspicious colour but it is the colour of my mother's, sister's and brother's birthdays [Sunday], so it is okay too. Thongdaeng [the royal dog] was born on a Saturday and the other day I wore purple."

His remark on the more colourful outfits was for the public, if they wondered about the King's recent fashion changes.

His Majesty said half-jokingly, referring to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, that the premier's white uniform could also be boring if he was seen in it all the time.

"The premier could be seen as boring as he wears his uniform all the time but as long as he has done his work, he shouldn't be seen as a boring person. The meaning of the white uniform could be his efficient and clean work."

The King said his attire yesterday - a grey blazer, pink shirt and yellow necktie - was not unattractive: "The necktie has a stylish touch [with the shirt]."

He also mentioned his shirt from Monday - a pastel yellow - saying it was like a light moon shade and the right tone. He felt very bright yellow was not quite right.

"The premier's white uniform is right too, as white is also the colour of the moon."

The Nation