Bringing hope through song

STAGED LAST weekend at Chulalongkorn University’s Main Auditorium, the charity concert “Maithai Sirindhorn” drew a capacity crowd eager to add their voices to the celebration of the 60th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and help raise funds for a project dear to her heart. 

Led by Dnu Hantrakul and his Maithai Orchestera, the concert delighted both musically and theatrically with a backdrop designed to resemble Sra Phatum Palace, the residence of Princess Sirindhorn, and a lighting landscape with magenta effects in honour of her theme colour.

The songs were selected to reflect His Majesty the King’s kindness to his subjects and also underline the Princess’s tireless work to improve the wellbeing of Thais. 

Veteran and young singers alternated on stage, among them Jiraphan Angsawanont who performed “Pa You Kab Nam” and Teeranai Na Nongkhai, who lent her voice to “Ron Dai Pueng Yen”, “Khunnatham Nam Cheewit”, “Dokmai” and “Chan Ja Fun Tueng Theu”.

Jiraphan and his violinist daughter Kasina won loud applause for their rendition of “Sanam Luang”, while Surasi Itthikul, who is best known for the timeless ballad “Prasart Sai”, delighted with “Khlui Phew”, “Rangwan Dae Khon Chang Fan” and “Yard Petch”,

Kittinant “Kit The Voice” Chinsamran performed “Khang Kuen Duen Ngai” and “Rak Kao Khong Pieng Chan”, before handing over to Siripong Paetwong for “Sieng Bai Phai” and “Mae Tang Rom Bai”.

Dr Apichart Intrawisit served as the show’s compere, chatting with the audience between songs and offering snippets of information about Princess Sirindhorn’s passion and talent for music. He described how she used to sing for her nanny and her love for Thai songs. Her favourite genre is luk thung (Thai country folk), which she says reflects local wisdom, is easy and fun to sing and can be enjoyed by every level of society. 

He also revealed that as a child Princess Sirindhorn had composed a song called “Somtam” and had even called up a radio station to request a song, calling herself “Pa Chang” (“auntie elephant”)! 

Among those attending “Maithai Sirindhorn”, the proceeds of which will be given to the Siriraj Foundation to support underprivileged patients requiring high technology and expensive medical treatments, were Emeritus Professor Chanika Tuchinda, adviser to the dean of the hospital’s medical faculty, General Surayut and Colonel Thanpuying Jitrawadee Chulanont and Dr Surapong and Theeraporn Virulrak. 

Also spotted in the crowd were Professor Arun and Dr Somsri Pausawasdi, Luephorn and Darika Punnakanta, Dr Preecha Suntranan, Supatra Chirathivat, Sukruedee Pongphanwattana, Pradittha Chongwattana, Dr Supachai Kunaruttanapruk, Dr Surawit Techatuwanant, and Sombat and Kanchana Metanee.

 

CARING IS GIVING

You too can help save the life of an underprivileged adult or child by donating either direct to the Siriraj Foundation, which is on the first floor of the hospital’s Mahidol Bamphen Building or through a bank transfer to the “Siriraj Foundation 60 Year Sirindhorn” accounts with Siam Commercial Bank, Thai Military Bank, Thanachart, Government Saving Bank, Siriraj Branch, Bangkok Bank Siriraj Hospital Piyamaharachakarun, Krungthai Bank Central Pinklao Branch and Krungsri Ayudhya Bank, Arun Amarin Branch.