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Thai monarch sparks “Choose Life” t-shirt craze

By Nicola Cornthwaite ⋅ December 7, 2007 ⋅  Email this article ⋅  Print this article ⋅ Post a comment

Bhumibol: I wanna hit that high

BANGKOK, Thailand — King Bhumibol Adulyadej has caused yet another fashion craze amongst his loyal subjects after being seen walking out of a health spa wearing a slightly oversized “Choose Life” t-shirt.

T-shirt makers all over Thailand are said to be in a mad, frantic scramble to meet the insane demand for the t-shirt made famous by George Michael in his band Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” video.

“It’s just plain crazy in here, especially with Christmas coming,” said Bulsin Abutitlos, shift supervisor for Chiangmai, one of Thailand’s largest clothing manufacturers. “Everyone just wants to be cool like King Bhumibol.”

Sources close to the world’s longest-reigning monarch say Bhumibol, who celebrated his 80th birthday Wednesday, wore the t-shirt as an affirmation of his will to “live another 80 years.”

“He is a big fan of 80s pop and heard Wham! on the radio while he was getting his bi-weekly facial,” said royal attendant Jekbim Betulabonkorn. “He said he wanted the ‘Choose Life’ shirt to wear on the way home so we made a couple of phone calls, and within an hour, the shirt was waiting for him in the shower room.”

Bhumidol has become an unlikely fashion trendsetter in Thailand. In October, he ignited a nationwide obsession with pink after he was photographed leaving hospital wearing a shirt and blazer in that color.

Civil servant Rose Tarin, 56, who camped outside a clothing store from 4 in the morning to ensure she was able to buy one of the latest shipments of pink shirts, said she will definitely get the Choose Life shirt as well.

“I want the king to live a long and healthy life,” said Tarin. “This is all for him.”