Political accessories market heats up in Phuket

PHUKET: The number of vendors selling political paraphernalia at the Phuket Provincial Hall protests has significantly increased since the protest on December 9, despite the number of protesters decreasing, vendors explained to the Phuket Gazette today.

“I sold whistles at the last big protest. Since then, the number of vendors has increased by about 20 per cent,” said 50-year-old Monthathip Jormtai.

Kanokphan Saeauy, a 22-year-old student selling nationalistic accessories, mentioned that she made less money today than she did at the last protest because of the increased competition.

“Last time, I made about 10,000 baht, but today I have only made 6,000 baht,” she said late this afternoon. “I am here for two reasons: the first is my duty to protect my country, and the second is to help my family sell these accessories.”

Ms Monthathip voiced the same sense of duty as Ms Kanokphan.

“I only made 4,000 baht today, which is about half of what I made in a day during the last protest. I believe it is because protesters are making their own accessories at home.

“However, the income is not my main reason for being here. I am here because this is the right thing to do for Thailand,” Ms Monthathip said.

— Irfarn Jamdukor