On 17 August 2023, Ms. Acharapan Yavaprapas, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata was invited by the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya as special speaker at a seminar for Thai Buddhist Missionary in India and Nepal entitled ‘Illuminate the path: From Thai Buddhist Missionary in the Land of Lord Buddha to the World Stage’. The seminar was presided over by Phradharmabodhiwongse, Chairperson of Thai Buddhist Missionary in India and Nepal and Chief Abbot of the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya, and attended by over 40 chief abbots of Thai temples in India and Nepal and 60 members of Thai Buddhist Missionary.

On this occasion, Consul-General outlines the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kolkata’s work on religious diplomacy, its consular jurisdiction that covers important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and its supports to the work of Thai Buddhist Missionary such as the dispatchment of officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to facilitate Thai pilgrims in Bodhgaya; the medical equipment contribution projects in Bodhgaya and Darjeeling, which also help improving healthcare access for Thai monks and students in both cities; the money donation to Thai temples for local charities; and providing advices on visa and stay permit rules in India for Thai monks, nuns and religious volunteers.