On 1 November 2014, General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, presided over the Offering Ceremony of His Majesty the King’s Royal Kathin Robe to the congregation of monks at the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Monastery, Yangon, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

Also present at the ceremony were Air Chief Marshal Boonyarit Kerdsuk, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar; Mr. Bandhit Sotipalalit, President of the Thai - Myanmar Association for Friendship; U Soe Win, Minister for Religious Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; U Nyunt Swe, President of the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Association; Bhaddhanta Ottama Nyana Bhivamsa, Vice Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee; Dr. Bhaddhanta Ardeissa Vamsa Rector of State Pariyatti Sasana University; Members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and well over 400 Thai and Myanmar Buddhists.

The Myanmar - Thai Friendship Monastery was built with the support of the Myanmar Government, the Thai - Myanmar Association for Friendship and the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Association and this year was the Monastery’s first time to receive the Royal Kathin Robe. The donation to the Monastery which came from His Majesty the King, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Thai and Myanmar Buddhists totaled 2,400,000 Baht. On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also observed the mobile health check-up and haircut service, co-organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon and the Thai - Myanmar Association for Friendship, which were well attended by the locals.
The Offering of the Royal Kathin Robe in Myanmar is a Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ project which has been ongoing since its debut in 1995. The success of this year’s Ceremony further strengthens cordial relations between Thai and Myanmar peoples.