People invited to join Candlelight of Siam event

BANGKOK, December 30 (TNA) - People from all walks of life are invited and welcome to join the "Candlelight of Siam" event at Bangkok's Sanam Luang ceremonial ground on the New Year Eve night, in which a mass countdown prayers session to pay tribute to late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is among its highlights. Extending the invitation on December 29, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the grand event is scheduled to start at 7pm on December 31, when 100,000 candle holders will be distributed to the public to light them around the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. At 9pm, the governor revealed, participants will observe an 89-second moment of silence in remembrance of the late and beloved Thai monarch, followed by the mass countdown prayers at 11:45pm. The governor told reporters that everyone will then participate in a mass singing of the "Blessing for the New Year" song, written and composed by late His Majesty the King, followed by the Royal Anthem in front of a portrait of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. At 00:09 on January 1, 2017, the candles will be lit and a mass prayers session to welcome the New Year will, again, commence to honour all Thai Kings and to extend best wishes to the present King and the people of Thailand. The governor noted that the grand event is co-organized by the Ministries of Culture, Tourism and Sports and Interior, as well as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Besides, shopping complexes in downtown Bangkok, including Central World, Central Embassy, Terminal 21 and the Emquartier, will arrange their stages to hold similar activities in parallel with the event at Sanam Luang. MCOT HDTV, run by Thai News Agency (TNA) under MCOT Public Company Limited (MCOT), will broadcast live the grand "Candlelight of Siam" event from 11pm onwards. (TNA)