PM in Bangkok to attend UN Vesak Day celebrations

By Prasanna Brahmana in Bangkok

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday (May 31), to attend the United Nations (UN) Vesak Day celebration.

The PM was warmly received at the airport by the Senior Director General of the Thai Foreign Ministry, other officials, and Sri Lanka Ambassador Chaminda Kolonne.

Thailand is hosting a ceremony, commemorating the 18th United International Vesak Day. on Thursday and Friday, with more than 3,500 monks, from 50 countries, set to participate in the two-day event.

The Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand has announced that the Vesak celebrations will be held on June 1-2, 2023. The 18th edition of the event will be jointly organized by Maha Chulalongkorn Raja Vidyalaya University, the Sangha Supreme Council, and the Thai government.

The event will commence on 01 June, with the opening ceremony, presided by the Supreme Patriarch Ariyavongsagatanana, followed by seminars at Maha Chulalongkorn Raja Vidyalaya University, in the afternoon. On 02 June, Buddhist monks, and devotees, will gather at the United Nations headquarters, on Ratchadamnoen Road, for a ceremony, led by the President of the Privy Council, Gen. Surayud Chulanont. Attendees can take part in prayers at Phutthamonthon, in Nakhon Pathom province, as well.

Permanent Secretary for Interior, Suttipong Juljarern, has stated that the Interior Ministry will notify governors across Thailand to raise the national flag, along with the Buddhist flag, in order to promote Vesak Day. He also encourages Thai Buddhists to participate in merit-making activities, from June 1-7 and refrain from gambling during that period.