Lumbini, 5 April: The Thai government and the Thai community in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, have been contributing to the propagation of Buddhism and philosophy and the promotion of tourism to Lumbini through various activities.
The Thai government has been making significant contributions to the religious, social, cultural and tourism promotion of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. This has further strengthened the cultural ties between Nepal and Thailand, which have been linked by Buddhism and philosophy for thousands of years.
On behalf of the Thai government, it has been working in the education, health, and social sectors, along with promoting Lumbini’s cultural, religious, and tourism through the Thai Monastery in Lumbini. Under this, the Thai Buddhist Monastery has been carrying out activities such as reconstruction of earthquake-damaged school buildings, assistance to earthquake victims, distribution of educational materials to schools, distribution of scholarships, and conducting health camps, as mentioned in its annual progress report.
The Royal Thai Temple (Vihara) has been built in Lumbini with the help of the Thai government to promote Buddhism. It is a masterpiece of Thai architecture. This temple was inaugurated in 2017 by Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. With this, the Thai government’s participation in the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, is considered to have officially begun.
Lumbini Thai Buddhist Monastery is a beautiful and peaceful Buddhist monastery built in a distinctive Thai style of architecture. It is one of the most attractive and artistic temples among all the international monasteries in Lumbini.
With the construction of this artistic monastery in Lumbini, Thai Buddhist monks and pilgrims have been arriving here every year. The birthplace of Buddha has become a major center of religious faith for Thai citizens. Therefore, Lumbini is considered an important destination for both Thai tourists and pilgrims. Every year, a three-month rainy season program, a program for performing rituals, and Tripitaka recitation programs are being conducted here with Thai assistance.
In September 2024, 17 monks from Thailand spent three months in Lumbini during the rainy season, meditating and giving sermons. Member Secretary Sanuraja Shakya says that the Thai government has been making significant contributions to the religious, cultural and tourism promotion of Lumbini. This has further strengthened the cultural ties between Nepal and Thailand. The Thai government’s financial and technical support includes projects to improve education, health and connectivity.
Under this, on behalf of the Thai government, in July 2023, a Thai medical team conducted a free knee surgery program for locals in Lumbini, providing services to 32 patients. Along with this, an eye camp has been running in Lumbini with the support of Tilganga Eye Hospital in Kathmandu.
The Thai community has provided financial support for the construction of the Metta Gurukul School building in Lumbini. This has helped local children get quality education. Along with this, the Thai Buddhist Monastery has been providing support in various ways to various schools in the Lumbini area.
Among the various agreements signed during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s official visit to Thailand three days ago, the agreement in the agriculture and tourism sectors has included the Lumbini region. Shakya, Member Secretary of the Lumbini Development Fund, says that the Thai government has already proposed to invest in agriculture in the Lumbini region and the agreements signed during the Prime Minister’s visit now mean that their program is likely to come.
Along with this, Member Secretary Shakya said that the Thai government is expected to increase its investment in Lumbini tourism promotion in line with the understanding to collaborate in promoting Buddhist tourism. In February 2025, 4,620 Thai tourists visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Thai tourists were the largest number of third-country tourists who visited Lumbini last month.
The number of tourists from various Buddhist countries has increased due to various religious activities in Lumbini last month. The number of monks from Thailand has also increased due to the religious programs. Rajan Basnet, Information Officer of the Lumbini Development Trust, said that since February 16, Buddhists have come from Thailand to preach to 1,200 Nepalis and to hold a Tripitaka recitation program in the Maya Davi Temple premises. Financial support for these religious activities, which lasted for a month, was provided by Thailand.
Among the third-country tourists visiting Lumbini, tourists from Thailand are in second place. In February 2024, 3,981 Thai tourists visited Lumbini. In February 2023, 3,367 and in 2019, before Covid, 6,208 Thai tourists visited Lumbini.
