On the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Thailand-Cambodia Diplomatic Relations His Excellency Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, Ambassador, presented USD 10,000 to Damrei Sar Monastery in Battambang Province on 24 December 2020, as donation from the Royal Thai Government to support the renovation of an ancient residence for monks at the Monastery.

Damrei Sar Monastery is best known for its ordination hall which was commissioned by Chaophraya Kathathonthoranin (Chum Abhaiwongse), also known as Lok Kathathorn Chum, in 1905. It is said that the reason of the construction was to thank the divine beings for his wife's recovery from illness.

High and Low Reliefs, which are typical and well-renowned Cambodian sculptural work, depicting famous scenes from Ramayana, typical of South Asia and Southeast Asia, can be found on the outer walls of the Ordination Hall.

In 1913, Chaophraya Kathathonthoranin (Chum Abhaiwongse) commissioned the restoration of a similar ordination hall at Wat Kaew Pichitr which boasts a unique blend of Thai, Cambodian, Chinese and Western artistic styles.

On this note, if you are residing in Thailand or Cambodia, may we invite you to visit Damrei Sar Monastery in Battambang, Cambodia, or Wat Kaew Pichitr in Prachinburi, Thailand, where you will surely be reminded of the close ties between Thais and Cambodians and be blessed on the occasion of the upcoming New Year 2021.

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