On 9 November 2015, H.E. Mr. Don Pradmudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs presided over the Offering Ceremony of H.M. the King’s Kathina Robe at Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple, Penang, Malaysia. Participants from the Thai side included H.E. Mr. Damrong Kraikruan, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, Ms. Ekajit Kraivichien, Consul-General of Thailand to Penang, and representatives from Thai public and private agencies based in Malaysia. Meanwhile, the Malaysian side were represented by H.E. Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang, Mr. Danny Law Heng Kiang, State Minister for Tourism Development, and Ms. Yap Soo Huey, Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly.
         The Ceremony was observed by over 700 Buddhists who are Thais, Siameses (Malaysian of Thai descent), Chinese Malaysians and Malaysians residing in Penang. It is the first time that the Offering Ceremony has been held at Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple and the seventh Royal Kathina Robe offered in Penang. The Reclining Buddha Image, the principal Statue in the ceremonial hall, was inaugurated by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and H.M. Queen Sirikit during the visit to this 170-year-old temple in 1962.
         This year’s Royal Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony is dedicated to the auspicious occasion of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 88th Birthday Anniversary.  The Ceremony demonstrates how religion can promote people to people connectivity.  This is in line with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ cultural diplomacy policy that aims to strengthen bilateral ties and promote understanding with other countries through cultural relations, including religious activities.  It also reflects the unity of the Siameses in Penang, who still preserve Thai culture such as language and their special bond with Thailand.  The donation which came from His Majesty the King, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Thai and Malaysian Buddhists amounted to approximately 822,000 Bahts.
         Kathina robes are offered during the Kathina season, a one-month period starting at the end of the Southeast Asian rainy season. The Royal Kathina Robes are offered both in Thailand and abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been graciously granted the opportunity to organize the Ceremonies overseas, such as Myanmar, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Singapore, China, India.