On 3 November 2013, H.E. Mr. Narong Sasitorn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presided over the Offering Ceremony of the Royal Kathin Robe, graciously bestowed by His Majesty the King through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the congregation of monks at Wat Chanhom, Kedah, Malaysia.

Also present at the ceremony were H.E. Mr. Krit Kraichitti, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia; Mrs. Srirat Vathesatogkit, Consul-General of Thailand to Penang; the representatives from Team Thailand (Thai government offices in Malaysia); Dato’ Boon Som Inong, Malaysian senator; Dato’ Charern Intrachat, former Malaysian senator and over 500 Malaysian Buddhists.

The offering of the Royal Kathin Robe in Kedah, Malaysia is part of Thailand’s cultural diplomacy which fulfilled the aim to strengthen cordial relations between the peoples of two countries. It was an opportunity for cultural exchange and also for the promotion of Thai tradition and culture amongst the Thais who live abroad, such as the Siamese descendants living in Malaysia.     

The ceremony this year was held successfully. The donation by His Majesty the King and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Thai and Malaysian Buddhists totaled approximately 1,400,000 Bahts.