On 31 October 2013, H.E. Mr. Jullapong Nonsrichai, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, 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 Simtokha Dzong Monastery, Thimphu,the Kingdom of Bhutan. H.E. Mr. Damchoe Dorji, Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs was Bhutan’s representative in the ceremony.

            Also present at the ceremony were H.E. Ms. Madurapochana lttarong, Ambassador of Thailand to Bhutan along with other officials from the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Thai Tourists and those who live in Bhutan.

            The offering of the Royal Kathin Robe in Timphu, Bhutan is part of Thailand’s cultural diplomacy which fulfilled the aim to strengthen cordial relations between the peoples of two countries who, although practice different sects of Buddhism, can unite harmoniously in performing this ritual.

The ceremony this year was held successfully. The Bhutanese government and the press showed their keen interest in the ceremony as seen in local media coverage. The donation from His Majesty the King and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Thai and Bhutanese Buddhists, given to the Abbot of Simtokha Dzong Monastery during the ceremony, totaled 360,000 Baht.