Department of Religious Affairs Promotes Meditation for Moral Development

The Thai Department of Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the Samut Prakan Provincial Cultural Office and Wat Si Rattanatharam, recently inaugurated a meditation promotion program. Held at Wat Si Rattanatharam in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, the event is part of a broader initiative for the 2026 fiscal year aimed at fostering moral and ethical values among the public.

The ceremony was presided over by Phra Ratchasamutwachiranayok, the ecclesiastical provincial governor of Samut Prakan (Dhammayuttika), and Chaiyapol Suk-iam, Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs. The program serves as a merit-making activity dedicated to the Supreme Patriarch on his 99th birthday, as well as to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

For residents and visitors, this initiative highlights Thailand's ongoing commitment to integrating Buddhist practices into daily life and promoting the country as a global hub for meditation. While the program is currently active for the 2026 fiscal year, specific details regarding public participation schedules or future meditation workshops at other temples remain to be confirmed by the Department of Religious Affairs. Those interested in local cultural practices may find such events offer a unique insight into the spiritual life of the region.