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  Since its inception in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN has gained significant headway in many areas. Today, ASEAN Member States including Thailand, one of the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, are actively striving towards a stronger and more prosperous “ASEAN Community” in 2015. The Department of ASEAN Affairs, as the National Secretariat of ASEAN, has taken a vital role in preparing the Thai people from all walks of life towards realization of a people-centered ASEAN Community in 2015, as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and regarded as Thailand’s national agenda.  To promote greater understanding and encourage ASEAN Unity, we have regularly organized a wide range of awareness raising activities, be they the annual ASEAN Day event in commemorating of the establishment of ASEAN on 8 August,  ASEAN educational tour, the “Train the Trainers” project,  ASEAN mobile exhibition, and series of ASEAN lecture for government agencies, private entities, academics, as well as  the Thai public in remote areas.

On the auspicious occasion of the 86^th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the 70^th Anniversary of  Silpakorn University, Department of ASEAN Affairs, in partnership with the Faculty of Music, Silpakorn University, proudly organize the “Extreme Beethoven” concert as a manifestation of our love, loyalty, and gratitude to His Majesty the King of Thailand. In this special event, the Feroci Phiharmonic Winds will  perform a new version of the “ASEAN Way”, an official anthem of ASEAN written and composed by Thai artists;  Mr.Kittikhun Sodprasert, Mr Sampow Triudomand Mrs.Payom Valaipatchra.  My appreciation goes toMr.Kittikhun Sodprasertand Mr. Sampow Triudom for their efforts in rearranging the musical composition for the Symphonic Band. The newly rearranged musical score sheet will also be distributed to musical institutions nationwide.

It is my high hope that everyone will feel rewarded to be a part of  this momentous event. In particular, I believe that the “ASEAN Way” will  lift  the  Thai people’ spirits  higher  and inspire us to be a responsible member of the ASEAN Community in a very near future, with a spirit of friendship and solidarity, as repeated in the lyrics “ ASEAN, we are bonded as one”.

                                                                                                Arthayudh Srisamoot

                                                                 Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs

   In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Silpakorn University, the Faculty of Music has made a great contribution to the production, publication and distribution of the copies of the original arrangement and original score for “The ASEAN Way”, a composition by Ajarn Kittikhun Sodprasert and Ajarn Sampow Triudom, music professors from the Faculty of Music, Silpakorn University and Ms. Payom Valaiphatchra, a former journalist-cum-PR consultant of the highest caliber, which has been selected as the official regional anthem of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Copies of the original score for “The ASEAN Way” will be distributed at no cost to academic institutions, music colleges and several other organizations in order to preserve the precision of the original arrangement of the composition, and to promote our academic knowledge in music as well as the recognition of the anthem.
This project owes its success to an official permission from the Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the printing sponsorship from Siam Music Yamaha Company Limited and the Faculty of Music, Silpakorn University.
On behalf of Silpakorn University, I hope the publication and distribution of the original arrangement for “The ASEAN Way” will be a great support to the strengthening of ASEAN’s dignity, cooperation and solidarity, as stated in the lyrics:  “Raise our flag high, sky high. Embrace the pride in our heart… Together for ASEAN. We dare to dream, we care to share, for it’s the way of ASEAN.”

                                                                                                Asst. Prof. Chaicharn Thavaravej Srisamoot

                                                                President of Silpakorn University