Hundreds of Japanese packed out Toppan Hall and many seemed amazed and delighted after the event, organised by the Culture and Foreign ministries.

The Bangkok orchestra is playing in Tokyo from April 20 to 25, to introduce the King's musical talents to a wider audience and mark His Majesty's 80th birthday anniversary this year.

On Sunday evening, the orchestra was conducted by Rear Admiral ML Asanee Pramoj. The atmosphere was expectant, as long queues of Japanese, Thai and other nationalities filled the 400-capacity hall.

The orchestra presented 16 classic songs including 'Alexandra', 'Blue Day', 'Sweet Words', 'Twilight', 'Lullaby', 'Near Dawn', 'Royal Marines March', 'Love in Spring', 'Echo', 'No Moon', 'Still On My Mind', 'Dream Island', 'A Long Story', 'Old Fashioned Melody', 'Magic Beams' and 'Can't You Ever See'.

Members of the audience said they were amazed because, despite working hard for his people, His Majesty had also managed to pen many beautiful songs in diverse styles and moods.

Loud applause filled the hall after each song, and at the concert's end, they clapped and remained seated - so the orchestra gave an encore with a royal song called 'New Year's Greeting'. Last night, the orchestra was scheduled to perform at Osaka Central Public Hall.

Yukiko Yabukuji, a 32-year-old Japanese civil servant who used to live and work in Thailand for six years, said she had never heard any songs composed by His Majesty and was very impressed by what she heard.

Yabukuji said she had heard that His Majesty worked hard for his people but never thought he could also find time to compose songs.

Praising His Majesty's talent that shone through his music, she said the Japanese people respected His Majesty like the Thais, because he worked hard for his people and helped bring the country out of crisis many times.