Many Thais gather to sing royal anthem in honor of late king

A huge crowd of Thais gathered on Saturday outside Bangkok's Grand Palace to sing the royal anthem in honor of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The scene was which was recorded for a new music video.

Mourners gathered outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

At about 10 p.m. local time, tens of thousands of Thais, all dressed in black, filled Sanam Luang, the public square in front of the Grand Palace, sang the royal anthem, or Sansoen Phra Barami, together for three times with lighting candles in their hands.

Pictures of night singing event are circulating on social media and were described by Thai media as "historic".

An estimated of more than 150,000 people, also gathered here to sing the song in the afternoon, or from 1 p.m to 5 p.m..

Saturday's singing was recorded for use in cinemas, organizers said.REUTERS/Jorge Silva

The revered late king Bhumibol Adulyade passed away on Oct. 13 after 7 decades on the throne, after which Thai government declared a year of mourning since Oct.14.

The singing event on Saturday is a collaboration between filmmaker Chatrichalerm Yukol and composer Somtow Sucharitkul, and the filming of Saturday's event is expected to be ready for screening on movie theaters by next week, Thai media Bangkok Post reported.

Music video of the royal anthem is played before the screening of every movie in Thailand, when the audience stand to honor the king as pictures of his life, work and his devotion to the people are shown on the screen. (APD)