On 16 -18 August 2023, Ms. Acharapan Yavaprapas, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata attended religious services and related activities at Maha Bodhi Temple and the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya, State of Bihar, which were presided over by Phradharmabodhiwongse, Chairperson of Thai Buddhist Missionary in India and Nepal and Chief Abbot of the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya as follows:

1. The Prayer Service on the Occasions of Their Majesties the Queen Mother and the King of Thailand’s Birthdays

      1.1    On 16 August 2023 at 16.00 hrs., Consul-General attended the prayer service on the occasions of Their Majesties the Queen Mother and the King of Thailand’s birthdays under Maha Bodhi Tree, Maha Bodhi Temple, Bodhgaya. The service was attended by 91 high-ranking monks, to coincide with the 91st Birthday Anniversary of the Queen Mother’s birthday, as well as by Dr. Smt. Mahashweta Maharathi, Secretary of the Bodhi Temple Management Committee (BTMC).

      1.2  On this occasion, His Majesty the King of Thailand has granted a royal robe to make merit for Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s 91st Birthday Anniversary on 12 August 2023. Consul-General represented Thai Buddhist participants in offering the royal robe for Phradharmabodhiwongse.

      1.3  Furthermore, Consul-General took this opportunity to congratulate BTMC Secretary for her recent appointment and assured Thailand’s readiness to work with BTMC on the maintenance of Bodhi Temple, which is deeply revered by global Buddhist communities. Consul-General also sought BTMC’s assistance and facilitation on the reparation of Chaipattana Aerator, which was donated by His Majesty the late King Bhumibol and was installed at Muchalinda Sarovar, Mahabodhi Temple on 25 October 2011.

2. The International Buddhist Prayer Service

      On 17 August 2023 at 9.30 hrs., Consul-General attended the International Buddhist Prayer Service, which was participated by 66 international representatives of various Buddhist sects; namely, Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana at the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya. The service was dedicated to revered historical figures who contributed to the spread of Buddhism. On this occasion, Consul-General lighted the incense and candle as offering in front of the portrait of Emperor Ashoka the Great.

3. The Seminar for Thai Buddhist Missionary in India and Nepal

      3.1  On 17 August 2023 at 16.00 hrs., Consul-General was invited by the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya as special speaker at a seminar for Thai Buddhist Missionary in India and Nepal entitled ‘Illuminate the path: From Thai Buddhist Missionary in the Land of Lord Buddha to the World Stage’. The seminar was attended by over 40 chief abbots of Thai temples in India and Nepal and 60 members of Thai Buddhist Missionary.

      3.2  On this occasion, Consul-General outlines the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kolkata’s work on religious diplomacy, its consular jurisdiction that covers important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and its supports to the work of Thai Buddhist Missionary such as the dispatchment of officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to facilitate Thai pilgrims in Bodhgaya; the medical equipment contribution projects in Bodhgaya and Darjeeling, which also help improving healthcare access for Thai monks and students in both cities; the money donation to Thai temples for local charities; and providing advices on visa and stay permit rules in India for Thai monks, nuns and religious volunteers.

4. The Annual Merit Making Ceremony for the Deceased Chairpersons of Thai Buddhist Missionary in India and Nepal, Thai Ambassadors and Consuls-General to India

      On 18 August 2023 at 9.30 hrs., Consul-General attended the annual merit making ceremony for the deceased Chairpersons of Thai Buddhist Missionary in India and Nepal, Thai Ambassadors and Consuls-General to India at the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya. On this occasion, Consul-General lighted the incense and candle as offering in front of the portraits of deceased Thai Ambassadors and Consuls-General to India and gave alms to the monks. After the ceremony, Consul-General also attended the ceremony to pay homage to the members of the committee of Thai Buddhist Monastery in India and Nepal, who have recently received royal proclamation of monastic ranks by His Majesty the King of Thailand.

5. The Donations to Thai Temples in India

      On 18 August 2023 at 10.30 hrs., Consul-General made money donations as allocated by the Ministry of Foreign of Affairs of Thailand to the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya and Thai Temple in Nalanda, State of Bihar for 111,111 rupees each, in recognition of the temples’ role in supporting consular service and providing assistance to Thai nationals in India. Phradharmabodhiwongse, Chairperson of Thai Buddhist Missionary in India and Nepal and Chief Abbot of the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya and Phragurupriyatidharmavides, Chief Abbot of Thai Temple in Nalanda received the donations respectively.