Thailand may sue maker of Garuda kicks over copyright, not because tacky

Garuda shoes? Yep, garuda shoes. Where some see artistic expression, others are taking great offense at a pair of red-white-and-Thai-blue sneakers being marketed with a royal emblem and now a top government official is threatening to sue.

Deputy Prime Minister and junta government legal adviser Wissanu Krea-ngam weighed in today on the brouhaha over Thai-themed kicks being marketed online to say they would be illegal to sell in the kingdom as the garuda emblem is copyrighted and legally protected from reproduction without authorization.

The shoes have sparked heated debate over whether they are an example of cultural appropriation, not a big deal or just plain offensive to Thai foot-shame mores, which consider feet to be vulgar and, in certain contexts, insulting.

The whole thing started when someone stumbled upon an online apparel seller offering sneakers printed…