On 5 April 2019, the Royal Thai Embassy in Doha, in cooperation with the Thai Community in Qatar, organized Songkran Festival 2019 at the Embassy. H.E. Mr. Nathapol Khantahiran, Ambassador of Thailand to the State of Qatar, presided over the ceremony together with Mr. Noppadol Penglong, Chairman of the Committee of Thai Community in Qatar. On this occasion, the Embassy invited Venerable Phrapaladniwat Wisutthirat, Abbot of Wat Kom Bang, Chantaburi Province, to deliver Dhamma preaching to Thai people living in Qatar. In addition, participants joined offering of off-season robes for the Buddhist monk, sprinkling of water onto a Buddha image, Buddhist monks and seniors for their blessing on the occasion of Songkran or Thai New Year Festival. Several Thai restaurants and Thai community in Qatar have also joined hands in offering food for the monk and distributing food to more than 200 Thai people attending the ceremony. 

 

Later on, during 6 - 8 April 2019, the Royal Thai Embassy in Doha organized for Venerable Phrapaladniwat Wisutthirat to visit workplaces of Thai community which mostly comprised Thai business owners and Thai staff working at Thai restaurants, spas and hotel business in Qatar. This provides a rare opportunity for Thai people living in Qatar to practice Buddhist rituals.