The donation HUB of the Thai Red Cross Society’s Fundraising Bureau joined with Fresh Air Festival Co., Ltd. in holding a press conference for the “Thai Bhutan Buddhist Heritage Preservation Project” at SCBX NEXT TECH, on the 4th Floor of Siam Paragon on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. 

Among the honorable guests attending the event were Mr. Khan Prachuabmoh, Director of Fund-raising Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society; M.R. Rujayapha Abhakorn, Chief Operating Officer of Fresh Air Festival Co.,Ltd; Mr. Vinij Lertratanachai, CEO of Fresh Air Festival Co.,Ltd; Colonel Kuenzang Wangchuk, Royal ADC to Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Bhutan; Professor Wanchai Ruayari, Project Consultant; Mr. Chatchai Panpha, Artist; Mayuree Chaipromprasith, president of Corporate Affairs and Communications Siam Piwat Co., Ltd.; and actor Art Phasut Banyam.

The “Thai Bhutan Buddhist Heritage Preservation Project” is being held in celebration of the 72nd Birthday Anniversary of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the royal patron of Thai Red Cross Society, to nourish Thailand and Bhutan relations, as well as to disseminate Bhutanese Buddhist art and culture.  Proceeds from the donations to this project after expenses will go to the Thai Red Cross Society’s Emergency Fund for Disaster Victims and to the setting up of a viharn (assembly hall) in Bhutan.

The Goen Tshephu Ney Temple in Bhutan, an old sacred site of longevity, enshrines the Maha Sidha Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche.  It is believed that asking for a blessing from Maha Sidha Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche brings good fortune, both worldly and religious, and wards off bad luck, for the supplicant and his/her loved ones.  Commemorative statues and coins of Maha Sidha Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche have been created to strengthen Thailand-Bhutan relations.  Meanwhile, the “GOEN TSHEPHU ZANGDOPELRI” viharn under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Tshering Pem Wangchuk, has been built as a revered site in Bhutan for Buddhists around the world.

The auspicious consecration ceremony will be held at Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan (Wat Pho) on Monday September 9, 2024 at 2 pm and will be presided over by the Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Sangkharat Sakonlamahasangkhaparinayok, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Her Majesty Queen Tshering Pem Wangchuk.

The commemorative statues of Maha Sidha Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche, created for Buddhists to pay homage, come in two sizes. The larger one, a tabletop marble statue is 19” high and 4” wide, worth 299,999 Baht (only 108 statues are available). The smaller one, a silver-glazed bullion statue, features one-baht (15.244 grams) of 96.5 pure gold with Maha Sidha Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche in the center with the royal emblem and viharn on the back, and is worth 199,999 Baht (only 593 items are available).  The commemorative statues are available at Fresh Air Festival Co., Ltd at 02 117 9634 and the Fundraising Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society at 02 256 4623, 02 256 4440-3.  Proceeds after expenses will go to the Thai Red Cross Society’s Emergency Fund for Disaster Victims and restoration of the viharn in Bhutan.