Some 78 years after its adoption, the Thai national anthem -- as well as an accompanying music video -- will be brought into the modern era with new sounds and images, but the lyrics will remain unchanged, officials said yesterday.
Ormsin Chivapruck, a minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, said the musical elements of the anthem, including the melody and rhythm, will be enhanced to make it more impactful.
The new version will feature six vocalists but no new lyrics, he said. They are Kittinan "Kit" Chinsamran, Surachai "Ta" Wongbuakhao, Suveera "Q" Boonrod, Peerapat "Bee" Tenwong, Jirakorn "Ae" Sompitak and Nat Sakdatorn.
Mr Ormsin was speaking after chairing the first meeting of a sub-committee tasked with supervising the modern remake of the anthem.
Songwriter-musicians Wirat Yoothaworn and Nitipong Honark will help oversee the project along with the Sala Chalermkrung Foundation and other agencies, he said.
Yesterday's panel also discussed upcoming activities for Sept 28, or Thai National Flag Day. It does not rank as a public holiday.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will give a speech marking the 100th anniversary of the national flag on that day.
When former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra served in 2005 he floated the idea of composing a new national anthem but the public opposed it.
The current anthem was composed by Phra Chenduriyang after the 1932 coup.