BANGKOK — Many expected there would be tears at the Rajamangala National Stadium on Tuesday when Thailand played Australia in a World Cup qualifier only a month after the death of the host country’s much-loved king. But it was a little surprising that they came at the end of the 90 minutes.
The national anthem — accompanied by images on the video scoreboard of the monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, attending soccer-related events — was sung with somber gusto. A crowd that had once been told that cheering would not be allowed instead offered loud, appreciative support.