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Mourning Thais Dye Clothes as Prices for Black Apparel Surge

by Associated Press

   BANGKOK --

   Pop-up clothes dyeing centers are a new phenomenon in the Thai capital
   as black apparel becomes too expensive for many following the death of
   King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
   The Thai government has declared one year of mourning for Bhumibol, who
   died Thursday, and some clothing sellers have been quick to hike prices
   for black garments. Others have run out of stock.
   Vats of black dye were boiling Monday at a free dying station set up in
   downtown Bangkok by a tractor importing company.
   Volunteers rushed to write down names and contact information from a
   stream of visitors bringing in clothes to dye black.
   A Krung Thai Tractor employee helping out at the center, Kanokporn
   Tantranont, said "Some people don't have black clothes or don't have
   enough to wear.''