During June 15-16, 2024, Consul General Somjai Taphaopong, along with Mr. Joseph Milano, Honorary Consul General in Boston and Consul Katesuda Thongna, attended the 10th anniversary celebration of Wat Nawamintararachutis (NMR Buddhist Meditation Center) in Raynham. The celebration was attended by 300 Buddhist monks as well as more than 500 Thai and foreign Buddhists in the U.S. and served as a part of the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary 28th July 2024 and one of the important Buddhist activities held in the American Northeast.
On the morning of June 15, 2024, Consul General Somjai participated in a tree planting activity as a merit-making contribution to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. Then, the Consul General, as lay chairman, presided over the merit-making ceremony for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and the ordination of monks and novices, as a royal tribute offering to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, where a total of 18 individuals, including Mr. Threeracht Songtachalert, Honorary Vice Consul in Boston, were jointly ordained, comprising 14 monks and 4 novices. Moreover, on the afternoon of June 16, 2024, Consul General Somjai, on behalf of the Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America, presided over the Buddhist sermon ceremony offered as a royal merit to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua.
On the morning of June 16, 2024, H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America, as the Prime Minister’s representative, presided over the Buddhist chanting ceremony offering well-wishes to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and the 10th anniversary celebration of the Temple/Center. The Ambassador, the Consul General and the Honorary Consul General delivered their congratulatory messages upon this auspicious occasion. The above ceremonies were also participated by representative of the Governor of Massachusetts, Mayor and representatives from relevant authorities of Raynham.
During this event, the Ambassador and the Consul General, along with officials from the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Royal Thai Consulate General in New York, paid homage before the royal portrait of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. They also paid respects to His Holiness Somdet Phramahathirachan, Abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, Board Member of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand, President of the Regulatory Office for Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkhus of Thailand, President of Wat Nawamintararachutis Commemorate Construction Project in Cambridge-Boston and Chairman from the sangha of the above-mentioned ceremonies on both days.
Additionally, on June 14, 2024, Consul General Somjai also paid respects to His Holiness Somdet Phramahathirachan on the auspicious occasion of the 87th birthday anniversary of His Holiness on May 24, 2024.