The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation Arrives in Buryatia

On Monday, August 12, participants of the II International Buddhist Forum arrived in Ulan-Ude, including delegations from the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Bhutan. The delegation of the Kingdom of Thailand is headed by Mr. Sasiwat Wongsinsawat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation.

During the First International Buddhist Forum in 2023, Mr. Sasiwat Wongsinsawat opened an exhibition at the National Museum of the Republic titled “In the Land of the Emerald Buddha” dedicated to the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Thailand and the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Buryatia. This year, he is accompanied by Kulkaew Kowattanawaranon, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The delegation of the Kingdom of Bhutan includes employees of the Bhutan Research Center and the Ministry of Happiness Wangchuck Khandu (assistant Dasho Karma Ura, policy researcher) and researcher Sonam Dorji. The Kingdom of Bhutan is located between India and China, on the inaccessible slopes of the Eastern Himalayas. This is the only country in the world where there is a Ministry of Happiness, and happiness is at the head of national policy. The official religion of Bhutan is Tantric Buddhism.

A rich program awaits the participants. They will discuss the prospects for the development of Buddhism, the traditional values of Buddhist and national culture, the use and promotion of oriental medicine, issues of interaction between Buddhist and secular organizations, and much more.

The II International Buddhist Forum “Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges” is being held in Buryatia on August 12-14, 2024 at the initiative of the Head of Buryatia Alexey Tsydenov with the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Forum will become a new platform for international dialogue and comprehensive discussion of the development of Buddhism, Buddhist culture, philosophy and practice, and promote the development of scientific, educational and cultural cooperation between Buddhist organizations from different countries. The forum will be attended by representatives of 15 countries: Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Japan. The total number of participants is more than 600 people.

The forum is organized by the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, the Government of the Republic of Buryatia, the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research with the support of the Roscongress Foundation.