Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has once again caught public attention by advising people to wear “elephant pants”, featuring unique symbols of various provinces, during the Songkran festival next month.
The prime minister, known for her unique fashion style, delivered the message after chairing a meeting of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee at Government House.
She invited people to celebrate the Thai New Year and annual water-splashing festival, called the “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025”, from April 11 to 15.
One way to participate, she said, is by wearing elephant pants, designed differently to represent highlights of each province, adding that the designs could also feature cats, dogs or other symbols.
Paetongtarn said the committee’s secretary, Surapong Suebwonglee, brought about 50 pairs of such loose-fitting trousers of various designs to the meeting, for her and the participants to choose from.
She said she chose a pair that matched her suit, which turned out to reference Lampang province.
She wore them to the soft power committee meeting, as did some cabinet members in attendance. Cabinet members did not know in advance, however, that they would have to change into the casual garments.
When the prime minister invited them to take a group photo after the meeting, many of them, especially the men, smiled reluctantly, as they ended up wearing ties and black suits paired with the colourful legwear.
