It's been my understanding from Thai friends that when the anthem is played outdoors (i.e. the sky train station) one is expected to stop, but not when you're indoors, such as in the underground MRT or the indoor Hua Lamphong train station - although I noticed myself that most stood at 8am one morning when I was there waiting for a train.

A friend and I were at dinner in an indoor restaurant one evening (Outback, where he enjoys those hideous onion flower things) overlooking the entrance to the mall below, and when the anthem played I saw most outside below stop but the staff in the restaurant keep right on with their regular duties, so I asked - and that's the answer I got.

The presentation in the movie theater is in honor of the king - which is different, is it not? Now I'm confused, too. :dontknow: