Humble New Year’s festivities to honour King Rama IX

Members of the public are invited to send “greeting cards” to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and count down to the New Year together in harmony during the “Candle Lights of Siam@ CentralWorld” in front of CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Road, on Saturday.

Held in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and many public and private organisations, the event will allow Thais to celebrate the New Year by honouring King Rama IX in a humble yet prestigious manner.

King Rama IX had given his personalised New Year greeting cards to the Thai people for the past 29 years and this time Thais will send greeting cards to him in large digital format, together with a spectacular light and sound performance. The activity will start at 12.05am, preceded by the midnight singing of Porn Pee Mai (New Year Greeting) composed by King Rama IX.

Throughout the night, many famous artists and acts will take turns performing his compositions and other inspirational songs, starting at 6.30pm.

The line-up includes Room 39, Kor POP, Mild, The Pakinson, La-OngFong and Helmethead. The highlight is a concert by Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra featuring more than 100 musicians. They will perform under the direction of Prof Sukree Charoensuk at 10pm, with Saowanit “Kob” Nawapan and Kit Kittinan The Voice as guest vocalists.

The night will conclude with a performance by a Korean boy band, Three One Six (316), at 12.10am. The event will be broadcast live on 3SD Channel (Channel 28) from 10.30-11pm and on 3HD Channel (Channel 33) from 11pm-12.30am.

Visitors also are invited to welcome the New Year with an alms-giving ceremony on Sunday at 7am and join a parade to pay respect to the statues of eight deities around the Ratchaprasong area from 8.30-11am.

Selected six branches of CentralPlaza will be holding a similar concert where famous artists will take turns performing the royal compositions while counting down the New Year. They include CentralPlaza Salaya, CentralPlaza WestGate, CentralPlaza Ubon Ratchathani, CentralPlaza Udonthani, CentralFestival Hat Yai and CentralFestival Chiang Mai.

There is no admission fee. Call 02-667-5555.