Vietnamese pagodas in Thailand help preserve culture

​                                                              Khanh Tho pagoda
Khanh Tho and Long Son pagodas of Vietnamese people in the western province of Kanchanaburi, Thailand, have been attached with the plates bearing Vietnamese names.

Kanchanaburi’s Vice Governor Bunyaphan Chanthanauray said the move makes the pagodas become more popular among Buddhists and tourists.

He also hailed remarkable contributions of Vietnamese residing in the province to promoting the cultural values of Buddhism in the host community.

Minister Counsellor Pham Thanh Nam thanked the Thai Government and people for supporting Vietnamese expatriates and Thais of Vietnamese origin to preserve their cultural and spiritual values.

The attachment of the plates of Vietnamese names to pagodas in Thailand aims to mark 40 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries (1976 – 2016).

It helps increase the role of Vietnamese pagodas in the religious and cultural life in Thailand.

Khanh Tho pagoda was constructed in 1834 and named Thavorn Wararam in 1896 by King Chulalongkorn.

Meanwhile, Long Son pagoda was established in 1883 by King Chulalongkorn.

Khanh An pagoda in the northeastern province of Udon Thani has become a destination frequented by overseas Vietnamese. It hosted ceremonies to pray for peace for fallen soldiers in Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes. It has also organised classes to teach Vietnamese language to children of overseas Vietnamese.-VNA