Thai King helps boost ties with ASEAN, South Asia through merit makings

BANGKOK, November 3 (TNA) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has presented Kathin robes to Buddhist monks in nine temples in other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and some South Asian nations to help strenthen relations among Buddhists in the allied countries. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is bringing the royally-presented Kathin robes to the Buddhist monks in the nine countries, set from October 8-November 6, a period during this year's Kathin Festival. Linna Tangthasiri, Deputy Director-General of the ministry's Department of Information, told journalists on Monday that the project has been carried on annually since 1995. Linna said her ministry has already brought the Kathin robes, presented by the revered Thai monarch, to temples in seven out of the nine Buddhist nations so far. According to the senior official, the royal Kathin project supports the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs' cultural diplomacy policy, aimed to promote steady relations between Thailand and other countries worldwide, along with other activities under the same policy, including agreements on cultural, tourism, sport, artistic and industrial filming cooperation. The nine countries, where His Majesty the King's Kathin robes are offered to Buddhist temples during the annual Kathin Festival, a 45-day period after the yearly three-month Buddhist Lent, include five ASEAN member countries namely Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia, as well as Sri Lanka and Nepal in South Asia. (TNA)