On December 4th at noon, at the invitation of the Thai government to celebrate the 72nd birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand in 2025, the Buddha's Tooth Relic from Beijing Lingguang Temple arrived in Thailand for veneration. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit presided over the welcoming ceremony of the Buddha's Tooth Relic at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok. In the afternoon, the Buddha's Tooth Relic was taken on a flower-decorated parade through the city of Bangkok and arrived at Sanam Luang Square for enshrinement, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presided over the enshrinement ceremony. After the ceremony, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Somdet Phra Sangkharat arrived and offered tributes to the Buddha's Tooth Relic.
The event was attended by Vice Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs Chen Ruifeng; Ambassador Han Zhiqiang of China to Thailand; President of the Chinese Buddhist Association, Master Yan Jue; as well as Thai dignitaries including Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Chousak Sirinil, and Jiraporn Sindhuprai, Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Commerce Pichai Chunhavajira, Minister of Culture Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, and other distinguished guests from both China and Thailand.
In his speech, Vice Minister Chen Ruifeng emphasized that China and Thailand are close, friendly neighbors, and the friendship of "China and Thailand as One Family" is ever-strong. The Buddha Tooth Relic is a national treasure of China and a sacred relic revered by Buddhists worldwide. He expressed confidence that this religious offering would further strengthen the traditional Buddhist ties between the two countries and promote deeper cultural exchanges between their peoples.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her sincere gratitude to the Chinese government on behalf of the Thai government and the people of Thailand, stating that the offering of the Buddha Tooth Relic was not only a blessing for King Vajiralongkorn’s birthday but also an important symbol of the strong China-Thailand friendship. She believes that the offering will further deepen the bond between the peoples of both nations.
The Buddha Tooth Relic from Beijing Lingguang Temple will be enshrined in Bangkok from December 4, 2024, to February 15, 2025, for a period of 73 days. This marks the first visit of the relic to Thailand in 22 years.
