On 8 November 2026, H.E. Mr. Jukr Boon - Long , Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, presided over the Presentation Ceremony of the Royal Kathina Robes graciously bestowed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua at Maha Bodhi Society Temple, Bengaluru, Karnataka, Republic of India. Phra Kassapa Mahathera, Abbot of Maha Bodhi Society Temple, Phra Phothivihesvacharavisuth, Head of the Office of Thai Dhammaduta Bikkhus in India - Nepal, and the congregation of Buddhist monks, joined the Ceremony. This is the 16th Royal Kathina Ceremony that is held in India, reflecting the deep ties of friendship between Thailand and India, cemented by cultural and spiritual linkages between the two sides.

Dignitaries attending the ceremony included Mr. Veerabhadra Hanchinal, Representative of Chief Minister of Karnataka State; H.E. Ms. Chavanart Thangsumphant, Ambassador of Thailand to India; Mr. Panidone Pachimsawat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information of Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Racha Aribarg, Consul-General of Thailand in Chennai; Ms. Siriporn Tantipanyathep, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata and Ms. Siriporn Supanimitwisetkul, Consul-General of Thailand in  Mumbai. Also in attendance were officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy, and the Royal Thai Consulates-General in India, members of Team Thailand agencies and representatives of the Thai private sector in India, as well as Thai, Indian and international Buddhist devotees residing in Bengaluru. This year’s Royal Kathina offering received contributions from His Majesty the King, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Thai and Indian devotees, with a total donation of 664,462 Baht (approximately 1,859,907 INR).

The Maha Bodhi Society was established in 1956 by Venerable Acharya Buddharakkhita to promote Buddhism across India while carrying out extensive humanitarian and social welfare activities. It subsequently expanded its mission to include a monastic training institute, a meditation center, and a publishing press that has produced more than 300 Buddhist works, in addition to promoting healthcare, education, and social assistance for those underprivileged. Today, the monastery continues its mission to propagate Buddhist teachings under the motto "May Buddhism Shine in India" and maintains ongoing charitable activities. The temple previously received Royal Kathina Robes bestowed by His Late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great in 2017.

Since 1995, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organised the Presentation Ceremonies of the Royal Kathina Robes annually at Buddhist temples abroad as part of Thailand’s cultural and public diplomacy initiatives with a view to strengthen international relations particularly at the people-to-people level. With the emphasis on Buddhist temples highly respected among local devotees, the scheme has gradually expanded from neighboring countries to ASEAN members, South Asia, and East Asia. In 2026, the Royal Kathina Robes are presented in six countries - Malaysia, India, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.