Political, Religious & Cultural (Thailand)

Historical Relations

Siam (Thailand) and Lanka (Sri Lanka) which profess Buddhism as their state religion have excellent relationship, especially in religion, arts and culture that extend over a span of seven centuries. Ayutthaya of Siam and Kandy of Lanka are the epicenters of these historical relations.

Historical records proves that the historical relationship of Buddhism between Thailand (Siam) and Sri Lanka (Ceylon) in the forms of continuity, development and revival of Buddhism in both countries. Each ‘country has played a vital role of transmitter and receiver, brotherly support at crucial moments in the history of the two nations. As results, Buddhism has been firmly established in both countries until today.

According to “Mahavansa”, the historical Great Chronicle of Lanka, “Lankan or Sinhala is a group of people living in Lanka Island. The Lankans are descended from King Sihabahu, King of Vatsa region. King Sihabasu exiled Prince Vijaya and his followers from his region and Prince Vijaya took a ship to Lanka, defeated Raksod giants on the island. After the battle, he built a city on that island. The descendants of Lanka are therefore called Sinhala or descendants of King Sihabahu”.

“Lankavong” or “Lankavansa” Buddhism in Siam (Thailand)

For Siamese, Sri Lanka is recognized as the ‘Land of Buddhism, inherited by Lord Buddha’. According to the “Atthakavagga” scripture, ‘all three predecessor Lord Buddhas who lived in Bhadrakalpa (Auspicious aeon, in which Buddhas appear) have visited Lanka. Sri Lanka is the site of the ancient Theravada Buddhism and has maintained the teachings of BuddHism for over two thousand years. In Siam (Thailand), Buddhism has been spread since the Dwaravadi era. The “Lankavong” or “Lankavamsa” Buddhism in Siam has been introduced since the time of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great’.

The last phase of Buddhism that was introduced to Thailand was Ceylon (Sri Lankan) Buddhism. It was during the time of Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186 CE) who became the King of Ceylon. Under his strong patronage, Buddhism was consolidated in the whole island Kingdom. According to some scholars, there was even the 7th Buddhist Council held at this time under the chairmanship of Kassapa Thera of Dimbulagala to revise and strengthen the ‘dhamma’ and ‘vinaya’. While this good news spread to the neighboring countries like Burma, Cambodia, Laos and also North Thailand, Buddhist monks flocked to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to receive the pure form of the ‘dhamma’. Thailand sent monks to obtain ‘upasampada’ ceremony from Ceylon. Those monks returned to Thailand with Ceylonese counterparts and settled in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Stupas and Buddha images were at that time greatly influenced by the Ceylonese Arts. King Ram Kamhaeng, who had his Kingdom at Sukhothai invited those monks and gave his royal support to spread the ‘buddhadhamma’. Mahasami Sangharaja, who lived in forest at Nakhon Si Thammarat visited to the capital and preached Dhamma. And also introduced the higher ordination. It is called this vamsa as ‘Lankavong’ even today. Thai people also received the Sacred relic of Buddha and skill of making the Buddha images, pagodas and art regarded to Buddhism. This is evidenced from one of the King’s Rock inscriptions dated back to 1277 CE. This form of Buddhism in Thailand was widely practiced and continued until today.

“Upaliwong” or “Siamwong” “Siam Nikaya” Buddhism in Lanka (Ceylon/Sri Lanka)

By the mid – 18th century, ‘upasampada’ (higher ordination, as distinct from samanera or novice ordination) had become extinct in Sri Lanka again. The Buddhist order had become extinct thrice during the preceding five hundred years due to colonial influence by Portuguese, Dutch and English and was re-established in the reigns of Vimala Dharma Suriya I (1591-1604) and Vimala Dharma Suriya II (1687-1707) as well. These re-establishments were short lived.

In the reign of King Borommakot, the King of Ayutthaya in Siam (Thailand), King Sri Vijaya Rajasingha, the King of Kandy reigned in Sri Lanka and Buddhism was on a critical stage of decline in Sri Lanka. Therefore, King Sri Vijaya Rajasingha of Lanka sent an envoy with a royal epistle and tributes to the Siamese King Borommakot of Ayutthaya Kingdom inviting Siamese Sanghas on mission to revive Buddhism in Sri Lanka, on the initiative of Ven. Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero (1698-1778). But King Sri Vijaya Rajasingha died in 1747.
“Chulavamsa” scripture recorded that during reign of King ‘Kittisiri Raja Siha’ or ‘Kirti Sriraj Singha’ (1747-1782), the successor of late King Sri Vijaya Rajasingha, sent a Sinhala envoy to present the royal epistle and tribute to King Borommakot of Ayutthaya, requesting Siamese monks to ordain the Sinhalese.
As recorded in the “Chulayutthakanvamsa” scripture during the Ayutthaya Period of Thailand stated that; ‘At that time, King of Lanka sent an envoy with a royal epistle inviting the Siamese monks to ;-e-establish Buddhasasana in Lanka. King Borommakot of Ayutthaya granted. Buddhist Scriptures Thripitaka and 25 monks under the lead of Phra Upali to establish ordination in Lanka’.

First Voyage -The vessel carrying the monastic mission led by Phra Upali Maha Thera was bombarded by enormous tidal waves, suffering leaks, with two masks torn down. It finally ran aground offshore in the bay of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The contingent had to return to Ayutthaya.

Second Voyage – The Siamese monastic mission and envoys once again took off on board the Dutch sea-going ship ‘Cecilia’. The mission consisted of 2 royal-appointed ranking monks, Phra Upali Maha Thera and Phra Aryamuni; 5 Pali-schooled monks as act-announcing teachers, 11 non­ ranking monks, and 5 envoys, not to mention attendants of various departments.
His Royal Highness the Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, son of His Majesty the King Rama IV, recorded in ‘The Story of the establishment of Siamese Monks in Lanka” as follows;
‘The diplomatic corps left Kandy on 12 July 1750. It reached the estuary of the Chao Phraya River on 14 May 1751. The envoy attended the royal consecration to His Majesty the King Borommakot of Ayutthaya on 17 July 1751. The envoys went to worship at Puttaisawan Temple and Chai Wattanaram Temple. They also traveled to worship the footprints of the Buddha at Saraburi Province and Wat Pa Mok Worawihan, Ang Thong. Until September 21, the envoys consecrated the epistle to the Supreme Patriarch of Siam (Sangharaja) at Mahathatwarararm Temple for re­ establishment of the ‘Theravada’ Buddism in Sri Lanka. The Supreme Patriarch of Siam agreed to send the Siamese clergy to Sri Lanka with the envoys so that they could give their supports and to ordain the Sinhalese in Lanka. The group departed from Ayutthaya on 4 December 1751 and arrived in Siriwattanaburi in July 1752. The Siamese clergy were welcomed by King Kirti Sriraj Singha. The King of Lanka led the royal procession and royally granted facilitation at ‘Buppharam’ or ‘Malwaththa’ Temple in Kandy.

Within his three years in Ceylon, Phra Upali settled in Kandy and established the ‘Siam Nikaya’ or ‘Siam Wongse’, denomination of ‘Theravada’ Buddhism, performing ‘upasampada’ (higher ordinations) for as many as 700 monks and 3,000 novices. The first ritual of Buddhist ordinations was done during the full moon in July 1753. Siamese book “Sayamupasampadawat” recorded the same. After that, another set of Siamese monks led by two Phra Racha Kana (Siamese Prelate) named Phra Wisutthachan and Phra Vorayan Muni replaced the first group of Siamese Sangha to Sri Lanka.

The Siamese Sangha’s journey to revive Buddhism in Sri Lanka flourished Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka again. Sri Lanka, therefore, named the Lankan monks who were ordained by Phra Upali as “Upaliwong” or “Siamwong”, “Siam Nikaya” becomes one of the most respected Buddhist sects in Sri Lanka, respected by the majority of Sihalalese descendants, until now.
After extraordinary services to the two nations of Lanka and Siam, Phra Upali Thero passed away in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
On the occasion of the 260th anniversary of the establishment of Siamese Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the Royal Thai Government approved the budget to construct Phra Upali Maha Thera Museum and to restore Thammaram Temple, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province and official opening ceremony was held on 26 December 2013 at Thammaram Temple, to honour the religious mission of Phra Upaii Malla Thera and to tie the relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Further, the Royal Thai Government and Government of Sri Lanka has declared City of Ayutthaya in Kingdom of Thailand and City of Kandy in Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as “Sister Cities” of the two brotherly nations.

This year, 2023 marks the 270th anniversary of the establishment of Siyam Nikaya in Sri Lanka.

Diplomatic Relations

People of both countries are bound by the Theravada Buddhist links, and following the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 20th November 1955, cooperation between the two countries has continued to flourish and diversify in multiple areas.
This year, 2023 marks the 68th Anniversary of the establishment of formal Diplomatic relation.

The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of the Kingdom of Thailand has graciously granted a Royal Audience to C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand, and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, on 04th November 2021, for the Presentation of Letter of Credence at Ambara Villa, Dusit Palace in Bangkok.

The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua extended sincere best wishes to the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and recalled strong long-standing relations with Sri Lanka. While congratulating Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Ambassador Chaminda Colonne, the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua assured fullest support of the Kingdom in discharging her official duties and fulfillment of the mission.
Ambassador Chaminda Colonne conveyed warm greetings from the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka to the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, and assured her fullest cooperation  and support in enhancing and consolidating excellent longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation with the Kingdom. Ambassador Colonne also extended an invitation for His Majesty to visit Sri Lanka.
Ambassadors of Vietnam, Slovakia, Kenya, Turkey and Nigeria also presented their Letters of Credence on the same day.
Ambassador Colonne is also concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic.