On 11 October 2017, H. E. Mr. Tej Bunnag, Assistant Secretary General for Administration of the Thai Red Cross Society, presided over the Kathin Ceremony, which had been graciously granted by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, to the congregation of Buddhist monks at Kyaung Htai Phone Gyi Thin Dan Kyaung, Mandalay, Republic of the Union of Myanmar.  The Myanmar side was led by Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, Chief Minister of Mandalay Region. Other high-ranking officials included H. E. Dr. Ye Lwin, Mayor of Mandalay City, H. E. U Myat Thu,  Minister for Finance and Planning, H. E. U Aung Win, Attorney General, H. E. Dr. Soe Than, Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, H. E. U Myo Thit, Minister for Natural Resources Conservation, H. E. U Sai Kyaw Zaw, Minister for Shan Ethnic Affairs, H. E. Dr. Khin Maung Htwe, Vice Speaker of Mandalay Hluttaw (House of Representatives) and U Kyaw Min, First Vice President, Mandalay Region Chambers of Commerce and Industry.  Also present at the ceremony were H. E. Mr. Jakr Boon-Long, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and spouse, along with members of the Team Thailand in Myanmar as well as over 250 Thai and Myanmar residents in Mandalay.

          Since 1995, the Royal Kathin Robes have been bestowed by the Thai Monarch, at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to be presented to Buddhist temples in Thailand’s neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and other Asian countries. This year’s ceremony at Kyaung Htai Phone Gyi Thin Dan Kyaung, was the 21st Royal Kathin Ceremony in Myanmar and the first time held in Mandalay Region. Kyaung Htai Phone Gyi Thin Dan Kyaung is a noted Theravada temple, which also serves as an Abbot Training Center of Mandalay Region. Until now nearly 900 senior monks have undergone training there. 

          The aforesaid Royal Kathin Ceremony in Myanmar was warmly received by Thai and Myanmar Buddhists, who were profoundly appreciative of royal benevolence.  Also, the Royal Kathin Ceremony was a testimony to the deeply rooted bonds of friendship between the peoples of the two countries, based on common cultural heritage including a shared faith in Theravada Buddhism.  At the end of the Ceremony, donation was made to the temple which included contributions from His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Thai and Myanmar Buddhists with a total amount of THB 1,248,720.-