Voices raised in royal tribute

THE “WANASIN” concert series reaches its third year with the episode “Thin Thai Ngarm” being presented at Suan Nakarapirom in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district on December 26.

National Artists in song Suthep Wongkamhaeng, Sawalee Phakaphan and Chintana Suksathit will headline the free show, a dual birthday tribute to Their Majesties the King and Queen. 

“The concert is the expression of the Thai people’s love and appreciation for Their Majesties,” says ML Panadda Diskul, Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The atmosphere at last year’s show was quite good, with the weather cool and the crowd full of both Thais and foreigners. And it took place alongside the Chao Phraya, internationally recognised as the River of Kings.”

Chantanee Thanarak, the King’s deputy principle private secretary, explains that the word “wana” suggests a forest and “sin” is water. “So the concert is to be held near the river, but, above all, the title is inspired by Their Majesties’ royal duties. The King takes a keen interest in all aspects of water and the Queen follows in his footsteps. The organisers have taken note of the Queen’s summation, ‘The King is the water and I will be the forest loyal to the water.’”

Chantanee says the theme this year is Thin Thai Ngarm, promoting the country’s tourist attractions at the advent of the Asean Economic Community. 

“Thais should be proud of their national heritage – the tourist destinations and the beautiful culture – and we want to encourage this pride through music. We have people from all four regions taking part in the concert.”

The show will include many of the King’s compositions and others praising the four regions and evoking patriotism. 

Wirat U-Tawaughn, who celebrated his own 72nd birthday with a concert last month, points out that the concert has four themes. 

“The royal repertoire is represented with the tunes ‘Saifon’ (‘Falling Rain’), ‘Yam Yen’ (‘Evening’), ‘Porn Pee Mai’ (‘New Year Greeting’), ‘Lom Nao’ (‘Cold Wind’) and ‘Oh I Say’. Then there are ‘Ayutthaya’, for the Central region, ‘Long Mae Ping’ for the North, ‘Kaen Lam Khong’ for the Northeast and ‘Pak Tai Baan Rao’ for the South. Patriotic songs inspiring a love of country, religion and the monarchy will include ‘Baan Kerd Muang Non’ and ‘Duj Bida Madorn’. And finally there will be a set of songs glorifying the King.”

Also on the play-list will be “Duangjai Kab Kwam Rak” (“Never Mind the Hungry Men’s Blues”), “Arthit Upsaeng” (“Blue Day”), “Pandin Kong Rao” (“Alexandra”), “Kwam Fun An Soong Sud”, “Jak Yod Doi”, “Trawen Chai Daen”, “Rom Chatra”, “Krungthep Ratree”, “Mon Muang Nuea”, and “Long Tai”.

Along with Suthep, Sawalee and Chintana, the performers will include Sunti Lunpe, Weera Bumrungsee, Duangdao Thaohirun, Kraiwit Poomsukho and contestants from the Sala Chalermkrung competition – Pasakorn “Spy” Rungrueangdechaphat, Patranit “Meiji” Petooriyawet, Kanthayawan “Fah” Somuam, Supakit “Kemp” Kalyanakul, Katathip “Krathi” Akarawikrai and Kanokwan Intarapat. 

Accompanying the singers will be the Chalermraj Band conducted by Wirat and the Royal Thai Army Symphony Orchestra. 

The concert series is organised by the Office of the Permanent Secretary and the Prime Minister’s Office in collaboration with the Crown Property Bureau and the Sala Chalermkrung Foundation.

 

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