On 26-27 October 2013, H.E. Mr. Prachuab Chaiyasan, Chairman of Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, presided over the Offering Ceremony of the Royal Kathina Robe by royal command of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, to the congregations of Buddhist monks at Phap Luan Temple situated in Thua Thien-Hue province of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

     The aforesaid event received warm support from the Vietnamese authorities concerned. More than 500 people participated in the ceremony, including high-ranking officials of Thua Thien-Hue province, Vietnamese and Thai Buddhists residing in Vietnam, as well as Thais of Vietnamese descent who travelled from the northeastern region of Thailand to attend this important event. They expressed profound appreciation that His Majesty the King had graciously bestowed a Royal Kathina for this occasion.

     The total amount of donation by His Majesty the King, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the devout Vietnamese and Thais who attended the ceremony, amounts to VND 562,836,763 (Approximately THB 828,761). 

The Offering Ceremony of Royal Kathina Robe attests to His Majesty the King’s devotion to the cause of Buddhism and reflects the  close  ties between the peoples of Vietnam and Thailand.  

     Also present were H.E. Mr. Adisorn Peingkes, Vice Chairman of Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association, H.E. Mr. Anuson Chinvanno, Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam, Ms. Panpimon Suwannapongse, Consul-General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Bhakavat Tanskul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Protocol.