Thailand will host a music performance "ASEAN + 3 Concert for the King" in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on two occasions this year. One is the 60th Coronation Anniversary of His Majesty, and the other is the 64th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne.

Organized by Radio Thailand under the Government Public Relations Department (PRD), the free concert will take place at the Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Center, in Bangkok on 19 June 2010 at 14.00 – 17.00 hr. It is the second of its kind, after the first one was held in May last year.

Joining the upcoming concert will be artists from 10 ASEAN countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and from three dialogue partners: China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

Executive Director of Radio Thailand Tuenjai Sinthuvnik said that, apart from paying tribute to His Majesty the King, the concert is also meant to stimulate confidence in Thailand after the recent political unrest. There will be no entrance fee; information and ticket availability may be obtained at 0-2274-9098.

Famous singers from the participating countries include Ms. Putri Noriza and Mr. Fakhrul Razi Bin Haji Ibrahim from Brunei Darussalam, Mr. Sam Sann Annda from Cambodia, Ms. Indri Tribhuana from Indonesia, Ms. Lady and Ms. Taii from Lao PDR, Mr. Iqwal Hafiz from Malaysia, Ms. May Hnin Nu from Myanmar, Mr. Paolo Antonio G. Palileo from the Philippines, Ms. Mathilda Emilian d’Silva from Singapore, Mr. Trinh Minh Quan from Vietnam, Ms. Zhu Yan Ya from China, Ms. Annabel Yuu from Japan, and Ms. Hwang Jin Seon (Beige) from the Republic of Korea.

Several Thai artists joining this concert include Mr. Aof Porngsak Rattanapong, Ms. Nicole Theriault, Ms. Mint Ardhawadee Jiramaneekul, Mr. Antony Thoong, and Mr. Aqrin Chaikaewskulchai.

A press conference on the concert "ASEAN + 3 Concert for the King" is scheduled for Wednesday, 16 June 2010 at 13.30 hr at the Press Conference Center, PRD Auditorium, PRD Headquarters, on Soi Areesamphan, Phahonyothin Road, in Bangkok. Giving a press briefing on the concert will be H.E. Mr. Ongart Klampaiboon, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Grisanaporn Soempanich, PRD Director-General, Mrs. Tuenjai Sinthuvnik, Executive Director of Radio Thailand, and representatives of the singers from the ASEAN + 3 countries, Ms Mathilda Emilian d’Silva from Singapore and Ms. Mint Ardhawadee Jiramaneekul from Thailand.

His Majesty the King is now the longest-reigning monarch in the world. After he became King Rama IX on 9 June 1946, His Majesty returned to Switzerland to resume his studies at the University of Lausanne. Four years later, he returned to Thailand, and the coronation of His Majesty took place in the Grand Palace on 5 May 1950. So the royal coronation anniversary this year was special, as it marked the 60th year since His Majesty performed his coronation in accordance with ancient royal traditions.

The fact that His Majesty the King has reigned for 64 years now has given him a great advantage, as he has dealt with people from all over the country, and in many different situations. More than 3,000 projects have been carried out under his initiatives, mainly to raise the standard of rural life and enable his subjects to be self-reliant.

For over 60 years, even before he was crowned King of Thailand, His Majesty has devoted himself to the pursuit of music. In his younger days, he played music as a hobby and a personal vehicle of expression, and later as a royal instrument of communication and kinship with people and communities at large. Recognized as the great "Musician King," His Majesty has produced a total of 48 songs. His musical talent not only fascinated the Thai people, but also made a name for the country. On 5 October 1964, the Government of Austria presented His Majesty with Honorary Membership, No. 23, at the Institute of Music and Arts of the City of Vienna, in recognition of his outstanding musical achievements. His Majesty was the first Asian ever to receive this honor.

He has been using music as a medium to communicate with and strengthen relations between him and his subjects. In his view, music is also like a diplomatic language between Thailand and the international community around the world.