Ministry of Foreign Affairs Presents the Royal Kathina Robes at Xishuangbanna Zongfo Temple, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, People’s Republic of China

On 2 November 2025, H.E. Mr. Theerakun Niyom, Chairman of the Advisory board to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, presided over the presentation of the Royal Kathina Robes graciously bestowed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua at Xishuangbanna Zongfo Temple, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China.

The ceremony was led by Venerable Pa Songlielongzhuangmeng, the Abbot of Xishuangbanna Zongfo Temple, together with 17 members of the Xishuangbanna Sangha. The event was attended by Ms. Bhavivarn Noraphallop, Consul-General of Thailand in Kunming, Mr. Panidone Pachimsawat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of Team Thailand in Kunming, members of the Thai community in Xishuangbanna, as well as Chinese devotees.

This year's Royal Kathina offering received contributions from His Majesty the King, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Thai and Chinese devotees, with total donations amounting to 509,840 Thai Baht and 16,062 Yuan (around 73,000 Baht).

Xishuangbanna Zongfo Temple is a prominent Theravada Buddhist temple with a history of over 1,000 years, serving as a spiritual and cultural center for the Dai ethnic group and local Buddhist devotees. It stands as a symbol of the shared linguistic, cultural, and spiritual heritage between the Thai and Dai peoples. The temple was rebuilt with the support of the Chinese government and regional Buddhist communities, reflecting the continued reverence for Buddhism in southern China and the region's deep connection to the broader Theravada Buddhist world.

The Royal Kathina Ceremony at Xishuangbanna Zongfo Temple marked the second occasion that the Royal Kathina has been presented in Xishuangbanna, following the first ceremony in 2016. This year's ceremony was held as part of the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Thailand and China, highlighting the enduring friendship between the two countries, bound by shared faith, mutual respect, and cultural understanding.

Since 1995, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized annual Royal Kathina Ceremonies at Buddhist temples overseas as part of Thailand's cultural diplomacy initiative to strengthen friendship and foster people-to-people ties through Buddhism. In 2025, the Royal Kathina Robes have been presented in eight countries namely India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, and China.