Mass singing of royal anthem brings tears (Updated)

Black-clad mourners, many with tears in their eyes, filled Sanam Luang to capacity on Saturday for an emotional performance of the royal anthem Sansoen Phra Barami in remembrance of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

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Sunday morning update

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.

The whole area was still jammed for the final candle-lit mass singing at 10pm

Emotional outpouring in song at Sanam Luang

ONLINE REPORTERS AND APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

Black-clad mourners filled Sanam Luang to capacity on Saturday for an emotional performance of the royal anthem Sansoen Phra Barami in remembrance of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Police said more than 150,000 people occupied Sanam Luang and side streets in advance of the afternoon spectacle, which began at 1pm as scheduled. More people were expected to continue arriving ahead of a second performance scheduled for Saturday night.

The historic mass singing event was being filmed by the national artist and filmmaker MC Chatrichalerm Yukol. A 100-piece orchestra and a 100-member professional choir conducted by Somtow Sucharitkul accompanied the mass of amateur voices offering their most heartfelt tribute.

The film of Saturday's event is expected to be ready for screening on television and in cinemas by next week.

The mass singing of the Royal Anthem.

Bird's-eye view live camera footage showed a remarkable scene on the royal ground, with nothing but black visible as far as the eye could see. Crowds assembled calmly and followed directions as they assembled near the majestic Grand Palace. Most had arrived via shuttle buses arranged for the occasion from shopping centres and other public sites on the periphery of the city.

Many of the participants were in tears as they sang, raising portraits of the late King or clutching banknotes bearing his image.

Mourners from outside Bangkok arrived at the Grand Palace via all kinds of transport. Authorities were operating free trains, buses and boats to accommodate the influx.

MC Chatrichalerm said he was deeply grateful to all the participants and organisers of the event. His crew was using 25 cameras, 25 microphones, three cranes and two drones to capture the moment.

The filming was planned to continue with repeated rounds of singing until 5pm in order to obtain the best selection of material.

At 10pm participants will hold lit candles and sing the anthem without accompanying music for another round of filming intended to capture the feelings of the public over the passing of the King.

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