On 10 November 2013, Mr. Oum Maolanon, Former Ambassador of Thailand, Advisory Member of the Civil Service Sub-committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presided over the Offering Ceremony of the Royal Kathin Robe, graciously bestowed by His Majesty the King through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the congregation of monks at Vihara Buddha Metta Arama Temple, Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia.

     Also present at the ceremony were H.E. Mr. Paskorn Siriyaphan, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Indonesia; the representatives from Team Thailand (Thai government offices in the Republic of Indonesia); Dr. Dasikin, Secretary to the Directorate General of Religious Guidance in Buddhist Community, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Republic of Indonesia and over 200 Thai and Indonesian Buddhists.

     The ceremony this year was held successfully. The donation by His Majesty the King and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Thai and Indonesian Buddhists totaled approximately 300,000 Bahts. 

     The offering of the Royal Kathin Robe at Vihara Buddha Metta Arama Temple is part of Thailand’s cultural diplomacy which fulfilled the aim to strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries. It was an opportunity to enhance interfaith understanding as well as to manifest and promote peaceful co-existence between peoples from different faiths and beliefs.