On 1 December 2024, Ms. Vanassuda Sudhidhanee, Minister Counsellor, and Ms. Yajai Bunnag, Counsellor at the Embassy, attended a religious ceremony on behalf of H.E. Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Ambassador of Thailand to Belgium, on the occasion of Thai National Day and Thai Father’s Day at Wat Thai Dhammaram, Waterloo, Belgium. Minister Counsellor led participants in paying respect to His Late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. Phra Raja Visuddhivides, the Abbot of Wat Thai Dhammaram, then led participants in chanting the Buddist precepts and Buddhist prayers. The Thai community from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, together with foreign nationals who are part of their family, joined in offering monks’ robes, alms, and food to the monks.
           On this occasion, Phra Raja Visuddhivides spoke in remembrance of His Late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great as the Father of the Nation, who has made significant contributions to Thailand’s development for the well-being of the Thai people. His Late Majesty is fondly remembered for his significant contributions to strengthening Thailand's international relations. Among these, he developed a close and meaningful friendship with His Late Majesty King Baudouin of Belgium, the fifth monarch of Belgium. This relationship served as a cornerstone for the enduring ties between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Belgium, which continue to thrive to this day.
In honor of His Late Majesty, Phra Raja Visuddhivides highlighted the significance of expressing gratitude to fathers on Thai Father’s Day, celebrated annually on December 5. He invited everyone to participate in prayers, make merit, and offer blessings to both the Father of the Nation and all fathers, commemorating the dual significance of this day as both Thai National Day and Thai Father’s Day.