On Thursday 12th October, Chiang Mai Immigration arranged a special tribute event to His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej with songs composed by the late King performed live, talks about his life and daffodil crafting in preparation for the Royal Cremation Ceremony on October 28th.
Pol. Col. Rutjapong Saravanangkool, the Chief of Chiang Mai Immigration, opened the event at 5pm with a small honorary statement followed by a live band playing the most famous of the Late King’s jazz tunes – HM Blues. This live band was made up of Immigration Office volunteers. The Chief himself was up on stage singing some of the songs, with a voice to be proud of and the crowds clapping in awe of his hidden talents. His opening number was Near Dawn – a song about the joys of Thailand’s nature and prosperity, written for the the Late King’s 60th Birthday in 2006.
A guest speaker, 21-year-old Atchree Baukhiao, talked about how she was honoured to be chosen by the King’s Sufficiency Economy Scholarship Programme in 2014 that funded her through a political science degree at Chiang Mai University. With a rich history of achievements, Atchree, who was also crowned Miss Chiang Mai in 2016, personally thanked the King for his scholarships that made her who she is today.
The event was attended by all of the Immigration staff, members of the Chiang Mai Consular Corps and the public from the local area along with a welcome number of foreign residents. Near the end of the ceremony, Pol. Col. Rutjapong invited both Thai and foreigners to sing one of the Late King’s English language jazz songs written in 1955, Oh I Say, as a happy remembrance of all the joy and wonder that His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej brought to the people of Thailand during his reign.
You can see more photos of the event on our Social Pics page by clicking here.