PATTAYA, THAILAND – A run on black and white fabrics has emptied shelves across Pattaya and nearby Banglamung district as communities prepare tributes to Her Royal Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.
Citywide surge in mourning preparations
Across markets and local fabric shops, demand for mourning materials has surged over recent days. At Tang Thai Hong in Naklua New Market, long queues formed as residents sought plain black and white fabric to create bows, banners, and ceremonial clothing. Supplies of black cloth were entirely sold out by midweek.
Store owner Malree Suwatthaphon described the intensity of demand as unprecedented.
“MANY AREAS ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF STOCK,”
she told reporters. Customers, she said, were purchasing cloth for building decorations, royal portrait drapings, and formal black outfits traditionally worn during mourning.
Suppliers struggle to meet overwhelming demand
While sales volumes have soared, Malree emphasized that Tang Thai Hong has kept prices stable without increasing rates. “We’re rushing additional shipments from factories, but production capacity is limited,” she explained, noting that orders have been placed with multiple producers to maintain supply. The shop is also sourcing high-quality alternative materials from other Thai suppliers to meet local needs.
Maintaining service and community support
Despite the shortages, Tang Thai Hong remains open during regular business hours. The retailer continues to stock premium silk and graded fabrics for customers tailoring traditional mourning attire or commemorative garments. Staff have pledged to restock continuously to accommodate residents preparing tributes throughout Pattaya’s neighborhoods and government offices.
Widespread signs of respect
Black-and-white motifs now dominate the city’s visual landscape as families, public institutions, and private businesses adorn entrances and facades in remembrance of the Queen Mother. For many, the display serves as both a personal expression of grief and a collective symbol of national unity.
• Black fabric sold out across several markets
• Additional shipments being arranged from factories
• Prices remain unchanged despite record demand
The mourning period has turned Pattaya’s fabric stores into focal points of community participation. As Malree put it,
“WE’RE WORKING NONSTOP TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS WHAT THEY NEED TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS.”