A tearful final song for His Majesty
BLACK-CLAD MOURNERS PACK SANAM LUANG FOR MASS TRIBUTE TO KING BHUMIBOL
>> The Royal Anthem reverberated around Sanam Luang and the grounds of the Grand Palace one last time yesterday as hundreds of thousands of mourners sang for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Many of the black-clad mourners were unable to hold back tears as they waved the King’s portrait for the mass tribute organised by filmmaker MC Chatrichalerm Yukol.
“We are going to have a new reign, so this is the last time to sing this song to celebrate King Bhumibol,” MC Chatrichalerm said.
“It’s overwhelming to see such a large number of people joining the event. It’s a historical moment to express our love for our King Bhumibol.”
The crowd inside Sanam Luang was estimated by police to be around 150,000, with roughly the same number spilling into nearby streets including Ratchadamnoen Avenue. People began streaming into Sanam Luang early in the morning to secure the best spots. The ground was soon packed and turned into a sea of solemn black dotted by umbrellas, the only source of shade from the sun, as organisers cued participants on the singing.
The entire event was filmed under the direction of MC Chatrichalerm, widely known as Than Mui. The film will be viewed later on television and at cinemas nationwide.
After some rehearsals, the singing, broadcast live on national television, officially got under way to music played by the Siam Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Somtow Sucharitkul, featuring 200 musicians, 100 instruments and 130 chorus singers.
The stage was set up in the middle of the field in front of the Grand Palace where the King’s body was lying in state.
The first round of singing was from 1-2pm.
Many sponsors had pitched in to record the event, with 25 cameras, 25 microphones, two drones and three cranes deployed.
Those with hearing impairments communicated through sign language.
The final mass singing of the Royal Anthem was due to take place at 10pm, followed by a candlelight vigil.
Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathavorn said an estimated 300,000 people took part in the event, with 150,000 to 160,000 at Sanam Luang and the rest on nearby roads.
About 1,800 provincial police officers, 600 crime suppression officers and 2,000 traffic police were dispatched to provide security at the event.
Pol Lt Gen Sanit said some children had got lost, although security surveillance generally went without a hitch.
Government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had thanked participants, who came from everywhere and were united by a common desire to show their love for the late King.
The military built a temporary wooden bridge over Khlong Lot overnight for the convenience of people accessing Sanam Luang yesterday.
Getting to Sanam Luang was a struggle for many. Shuttle boats reported heavy traffic, forcing some people to hire long-tailed boats to transport them to Tha Chang Pier close to the Grand Palace.
Somnuek Pongsupat, 87, and his family attended the event. He had met His Majesty 40 years ago when the King was visiting Cho Airong district of Narathiwat to inspect a tap water installation.
“I only had the chance to come today. It’s such a sorrow in here,” he said, pointing to his chest.
Nattharinee Nattayai, a second-year university student, said she came with friends from university. They brought sweets and drinking water to give away to other mourners.
Even though she is too young to have had any recollection of His Majesty’s works in his early days, his sufficiency economy principle has taught her the value of being frugal, she said.
Somboon Muhamad Roson, 70, from Pathum Thani, said she still could not come to terms with the King’s passing. “His Majesty was unassuming and charismatic. That’s why people all over the country loved him,” she said.
Khemika Plaingam, 44, said she woke up early yesterday and was lucky to squeeze her way into a packed bus heading to Sanam Luang.
She said she was glad to be able to sing for His Majesty, although she was disappointed the participants were not given adequate guidelines and instructions on the singing.
Meanwhile, a confederation of security guard businesses has installed surveillance cameras around Sanam Luang to support the policing operation.
The cameras have been put up at 16 security-blind locations after several pickpockets were reported by people queuing up outside the Grand Palace to sign a condolence book for the late King.
More cameras will be installed if necessary, with security guards from various firms to be deployed to help police man the areas, according to the confederation.
>> Google and YouTube have agreed to set up a team to review complaints about content considered offensive to the institution of monarchy, Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Junthong has said.
Speaking after meeting on Friday with Ann Lavin, Google’s director of public policy and government affairs in AsiaPacific, he said the representative of the tech giant has recognised the government’s concern and agreed to take additional steps to address it.
The government had invited a Google executive to meet ACM Prajin, also acting Information and Communication Technology Minister, to discuss how to handle sensitive posts which cause confusion and frustration among the public following the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
According to ACM Prajin, the special team, which includes Thai nationals, will be formed to work around the clock to review complaints about sensitive content and video clips.
A Thai-language complaint form will also be provided to facilitate the process.
ACM Prajin said the team was expected to start working yesterday. “If we have the URLs or clips and the times [the contents were posted] they can proceed right away, but we have to submit the court orders later,” he said.
However, ACM Prajin said if the government wants access to information about user accounts, which are deemed private, it needs to proceed via other channels due to privacy laws.
He said the Foreign Ministry is expected to coordinate with the US government in that matter.
He said about 120 lese majeste cases were found last Wednesday and Thursday and that most of the posts were apparently by Thais. He pledged that the government would do its best to handle the issue.
ACM Prajin said he has assigned another working team comprising technicians and legal experts to consult with Line, a popular chat application, and Facebook on the matter.
The government has called on people to behave respectfully and refrain from posting “inappropriate content” online while the country mourns the passing of His Majesty. The warning comes after several incidents in which crowds gathered in some provinces to accuse individuals of posting inappropriate content about the passing of the King.
Five people have been arrested on lese majeste charges since his Majesty the King’s passing, deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said yesterday.
Most concerned messages posted online which breach Section 112 of the Criminal Code, better known as the lese majeste law, he said.
No further details of who had been arrested or where were available.