SIAMESE YELLOW
Bangkok. Western tradition associates royalty with the color purple. Not in Siam, or as it's called today, Thailand. The royal color here is yellow - and the whole country right now is wearing yellow, yellow shirts, hats, sashes, or ribbons, in celebration of their beloved King Bhumibol's 60th anniversary of his reign.
The King's picture is everywhere, and not because of a personality cult. He is genuinely revered as the embodiment and father-figure of the Thai nation. And at the same time, the streets of Bangkok are clogged with protestors in yellow shirts waving yellow banners, demanding their democratically elected government be overthrown.
The Siamese are an interesting people.