Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn has instructed agencies under ministry supervision nationwide to gather donated, sombre-coloured clothes and give them away to those unable to afford black clothing during the period of national mourning.
The order came after a number of people complained they were unable to afford new black clothes during the current mourning period for the passing of His Majesty the King.
Ms Apiradi yesterday said clothing donation events would be held by agencies across the country. Donated non-black clothes will be dyed black before being given away.
Aside from the clothing drive, Ms Apiradi said the ministry has also joined hands with fabric manufacturers to organise a mourning event for the late King, offering low-cost black attire, at the Department of International Trade Promotion on Ratchadaphisek Road, which ends today.
The event has attracted a number of mourners as it also offered dyeing services free of charge while other consumer and agricultural products were also available at a reduced cost.
Ms Apiradi said people waited in long queues for the dyeing service, and eventually queue cards had to be distributed.
Those unable to visit the venue can take part in similar events being organised at shopping malls and convenience stores run by companies working in conjunction with the ministry, including Central, The Mall and Tesco Lotus.
Meanwhile, in Sa Kaeo, many Thais flocked to the Rong Kluea border market over the weekend to purchase black clothes.
Throngs of people were wearing and purchasing black clothing, while Thai fabric vendors also visited the market to place orders for black clothing from Cambodian businesses.
A rise in the number of visitors resulted in heavy traffic on Suwannasorn Road leading to the market in Aranyaprathet district.
Benjapol Rodsawas, deputy commander of Sa Kaeo Immigration Police, said many tourists have been visiting the market, particularly at weekends.
Immigration police also worked with Khlong Leuk police to ease traffic for motorists and provide security for travellers, he added.