On 22 March 2026, H.E. Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban, Ambassador of Thailand to Australia, attended the Chofa and Bai Raka Raising Ceremony for the Navamintrachudit Uposatha Hall at Wat Thai Buddharam, Brisbane.

 

On this occasion, the religious ceremony was presided over by Venerable Phra Theppariyattisophon, Ecclesiastical Governor of Kanchanaburi Province, Abbot of Wat Chaichumpol Chanasongkhram and Patron of Wat Thai Buddharam. He was joined by Phra Siphuttiwithet, Abbot and President of Wat Thai Buddharam Inc, Phra Kru Pariyattichai Kanchan, Abbot of Wat Tham Khao Poon, Kanchanaburi and Advisor to Wat Thai Buddharam, Phra Samu Somsak Pasadiko, Wat Kan Parian, Chainat Province, Patron of the Ordination Hall Construction Project, as well as other members of the monastic community. The ceremony was attended by Ms. Chearanai Tina Field, Honorary Consul of Thailand in Brisbane, Ms. Latthiya Moola, President of the Thai-Australian Association of Queensland, as well as Thais and Buddhists from Brisbane and the surrounding areas.

 

The Chofa and Bai Raka Raising Ceremony is an important stage in the construction of a Thai ordination hall, reflecting the faith and collective efforts of the Buddhist community in preserving and supporting Buddhism abroad. It also marks another significant milestone in the construction of the Navamintrachudit Uposatha Hall at Wat Thai Buddharam. Once completed, the new ordination hall will serve as a venue for Buddhist religious ceremonies and a spiritual centre for the Thai Buddhist community in Queensland, as well as a place for preserving and sharing Thai Buddhist traditions and culture with the multicultural society of Australia.

 

The Ambassador also met with members of the Thai community in Queensland. In her remarks, she commended their strong support for religious and cultural activities. She also expressed her appreciation for the community’s continued cooperation and support for the activities of the Royal Thai Embassy. Such engagement plays an important role in fostering friendship and mutual understanding between Thailand and Australia.

 

Photos courtesy of Wat Thai Buddharam’s Facebook page.