On 22 November 2023, Mr. Pichaya Lapasthamrong, Acting Consul-General of Thailand, was invited to preside over the Kathina Chibar Dana (gifting of Kathina robes) ceremony as Chief Guest at Wat Thai Gayanaviriya Temple, Kolkata. The ceremony was organized by Venerable Gayanalankar Bhikkhu, Founder, and General Secretary of the Gayanalankar Buddhist Sangha Society, and participated by senior Buddhist monks from various countries including India, and Bangladesh. The said ceremony drew the participation of hundreds of Buddhist devotees from the local communities.

On this occasion, Acting Consul-General emphasized the historical importance of the Kathina ceremony, a deep-rooted Thai tradition where offering Kathina robes is believed to grant great merits to those who perform this generous act. In addition, he highlighted the special significance of the year 2023 (B.E. 2566) for the Thai Buddhist community, as it marks the auspicious 96th Birthday Anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. His Holiness was among the first generation of ‘Dhammaduta’ Bhikkus or Thai Buddhist missionary and played a crucial role in carrying out religious missionary abroad, contributing to the global dissemination of Dhamma principles.