THE hot topic on the Thai social media today (March 15) is the global footwear and apparel brand DNAProud adorning its sneakers and boots with the Thai national symbol the Garuda and a map of Thailand, Sanook.com said.
However this company also has the national emblems of other countries on its footwear.
The DNAProud website posted photos of new products for sale with the design for a pair of sneakers, D13 sneaker – shoes & sneakers ‘Thailand’ DRULES-X1, carrying the Garuda national symbol and a map of Thailand as did its winter boots model named ‘Thailand’ XATOR-X1.
However comments in the Thai social media were split into two camps, with one viewing the use of the Garuda, the national emblem, on shoes as being inappropriate and showing a lack of knowledge and understanding of this matter.
However the other camp sees it as an artistic design and does not have any problems with this usage. They also do not want to dwell on trivial matters.
According to Wikipedia, the Garuda is a part of state insignia in India, Thailand, and Indonesia. The Indonesian official coat of arms is centered on the Garuda. The national emblem of Indonesia is called Garuda Pancasila. The Indian Air Force also uses the Garuda in their coat of arms and named their special operations unit after it as Garud Commando Force.
Thailand uses the Garuda its national symbol, known as the Phra Khrut Pha, meaning “Garuda, the vehicle (of Vishnu),” it is also used as the symbol of royalty. It adorns the banknote of the Thai currency – the baht – as well.
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Top and first below: The Garuda and map of Thailand printed on DNAProud’s sneakers and winter boots.
Home Page: DNAProud’s winter boots with the Garuda. Photos: Sanook.com
