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The anthem was composed a few days after the 1932 coup in the tune vaguely similar to the national anthem of Poland, Poland Is Not Yet Lost, and was first broadcast in July 1932. The original lyrics were by Khun Wichitmatra.Before 1932, Phleng Sansoen Phra Barami (the Royal Anthem) was used as the national anthem of Siam. In 1934, Thai Government launched the competitions for the official national anthem, both with music and lyrics. For the music, Jangwang Tua Patayakosol composed another tune in a more traditional style called "Phleng Maha Nimit" for making the decision to the government but they still selected Phra Jenduriyang's melody because it sounded more modern. After that, in the competition for the lyrics with Phra Jenduriyang's music, the original words by Khun Wichitmatra won the first prize and still used as an official lyrics with, however, a minor edit and an additional version which wrote by Chan Khamvilai and won the second prize. In 1939, when the name of the country was changed from Siam to Thailand, a competition was launched to create new lyrics, with those by Luang Saranuprapan winning. Prime minister Phibunsongkhram ordered the anthem to be played every day at 8.00 and 18.00, and ordering the populace to stand up to show respect for the nation. That law is still in force today. |