People dressed in traditional costumes pose for a picture, as interest for historical clothing rises within the country, in Ayutthaya, Thailand, on Friday. [Photo/Agencies] BANGKOK - Business is booming for Siri Seatea's traditional dress shop in Bangkok. Out of the 30 years I've been running this shop, this is the peak for us, 53-year-old Siri said as she stitched a Thai sarong for a client. History fever is gripping Thailand and a growing number of Thais are wearing traditional dress, a phenomenon encouraged by the government and the palace, and fueled by a popular television soap opera. The trend began with a 'winter fair' initiated by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in February. Among the popular costumes are those worn during the reign of former King Chulalongkorn, known as Rama V, who ruled from 1868 to 1910 and is credited with saving Thailand from Western colonialism. Television has also played a part. Love Destiny, a soap opera set during the 1656 to 1688 reign of King Narai the Great, has taken Thailand by storm. Many Thais are visiting the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, where scenes from Love Destiny take place. They pose for selfies dressed in traditional garb against the backdrop of the ruins. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha met with cast members this week at Government House and hailed the series as an example of the government's long-standing policy of promoting 'Thainess'. Prayuth's government has held some recent meetings in the traditional dress of a 19th century elite. He dressed in a buttoned up silk jacket, breeches and a wide sash. In Ayutthaya, 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, visitor numbers have nearly tripled since Love Destiny began, according to officials quoted by local media. It was booming since the winter fair held by our king and then this soap opera fueled the Thai costume fever, said Chutima Wongchiangkwang, 55, a costume vendor. silicone-wristbandsfigured-wristbandblank-wristbandcolor-wristbandsfunny silicone wristbands
CHENGDU -- A book about the post-quake lives of 18 people who were affected by the Wenchuan earthquake as teenagers was published recently, before the 10th anniversary of the quake, its editor said Sunday at a book promotion event.With pictures and cartoons, the book collects the life stories written by the 18 survivors, who have been hailed as heroes and heroines for their courageous acts and optimistic attitudes during the 8.0-magnitude quake, which hit Wenchuan, Southwest China's Sichuan province on May 12, 2008.Zhang Guowen, the book's editor, met the teenagers when he was in the process of writing another book after the quake. He kept contact with them and became a close friend. He hopes their stories will encourage and inspire more young people.The book was published by Sichuan Lexicographical Press.Ten years ago, Xue Xiao, one of the story-tellers in the book, was buried in rubble after the earthquake toppled his school in Mianzhu, Sichuan. As he was rescued, his plea "give me a coke with ice please" gained him the nickname "Coke Boy." Xue's right arm was later amputated.Xue, 27, now works for Coca-Cola, after graduating from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2013.Reviewing the past 10 years, Xue said that he never gave up on himself."I trumped adversities with an optimistic attitude, just like I did when I was trapped for 80 hours in the rubble," he said at the event. embossed-printed-wristbandprinted-wristbanddual-layer-wristbandcolor-filled-wristbandsilicone medical alert bracelets australia<%2fcenter>
