On 23 August 2024, Ms. Siriporn Tantipanyathep, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata, led the handover ceremony for a donation of medical supplies to Darjeeling District Hospital. The event was attended by hospital representatives including Mr. Amiya Kumar Mondal, Assistant Superintendent; Dr. Nanda Dulal Mukherjee and Dr. Debashis Chatterjee, Deputy Chief Medical Officers of Health; Ms. Deechen Lepcha, Clinical Psychologist; and Ms. Padma Pariar, Nursing Superintendent. Also present were other hospital staff and monks from the Thai temple in Darjeeling - Wat Thairachaduta 609.

At the ceremony, the Consul-General shared that the said medical supplies contribution is more than just a gift, it is a heartfelt gesture aimed at deepening the special bond of friendship and partnership between Thailand and Darjeeling. She highlighted that this support is aimed at improving medical services for the local community as well as assisting Thai monks and students in Darjeeling who might need medical care. The Consul-General also spoke warmly about the deep connections between Thailand and Darjeeling. She noted the presence of around 60 Thai students studying in Darjeeling's boarding schools and the important role of the Thai temple in Darjeeling as a bridge between Thailand and the local Buddhist community. This gesture underscores the profound and enduring relationship between our peoples, touching on both educational and spiritual dimensions.

This year, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kolkata responded to Darjeeling District Hospital's request to enhance its Psychiatric Unit, aligning with India’s National Mental Health Program. The Consulate-General provided three psychiatry textbooks, eleven psychological test kits, and one personality test software, with a total value of 3 lakh rupees. Following the handover, Phrakrupalad Bodhivongworrarat, the Chief Abbot of the Thai temple, and the monks led a blessing chant to mark this meaningful occasion.

This contribution is part of the Consulate-General’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the well-being of the people of Darjeeling. In 2022, the Consulate-General made a similar donation to the same hospital, providing vital equipment including the hospital’s first dental X-ray machine, three pulse oximeters, two oxygen concentrators, three electric breast pumps, and one automatic clothes dryer.