A little history about this song, from "King Bhumibol Adulyadej -- A Musical Self-Portrait":

The lyrics of "Love" ("Rak") were originally a poem written by H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn when she was a 12-year-old, Grade 7 student at Chitralada School. Her Majesty the Queen saw the poem and thought it was good, so when an opportune moment arrived, she asked His Majesty to write a melody to go with it. 

According to Mr. Manrat Srikaranonda, one day in November 1994, His Majesty walked in with Princess Sirindhorn's poem in his hand. He then tried playing different versions on the saxophone. At first, Mr. Manrat managed only to get it down "phrase by phrase, sentence by sentence." His Majesty then suggested that Mr. Manrat take down the notation in shorthand and he would play the notes bar by bar. They did so until a style emerged and was decided upon, resulting in "Love." His Majesty had the music played by the Au Saw Friday band every Friday and Sunday throughout December 1994. 

On 31 December 1994, the Au Saw Friday band played "Love" a total of 27 times going from table to table before an audience of court and government officials at Borom Phiman in the Grand Palace. It was the only song played that night. Later, the lyrics were revised to fit the melody, and Mr. Manrat rearranged the song in a swing style. The song was broadcast over the Cho So F.M. 100 radio station network early in 1995.

Kathleeya Stang-Veldhouse

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