ALTHOUGH Asian nations have their racial and language differences, some of them have one thing in common - the Buddhist kathin robe offering rite.
To some extent, it has become part of the Asian way of life, which Thailand has recognised as a good medium for strengthening its relations with other nations.
The Bangkok Post said it was initiated in 1995 and a total of 22 royally sponsored kathin rites have been conducted at Buddhist temples in 12 countries, which are Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Laos, Sri Lanka, China, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bhutan, Singapore and Bangladesh.
According to the permanent secretary of foreign affairs Busaya Mathelin, the overseas kathin rite was the brainchild of former Thai Asean secretary general and Thai deputy foreign minister, the late Surin Pitsuwan.
The kathin rite is usually held at the end of the rainy season between the full moons of October and November, with new robes and other gifts being offered to monks at temples.
Initially the rite was carried out in only three neighbouring countries, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia but has since expanded to include more nations.
To mark the 24th anniversary of the rite's inception, ceremonies were conducted in Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Laos, Sri Lanka and Myanmar this year.
Recently, a Thai delegation led by Busaya visited Yangon for the last leg of the annual overseas kathin with the rite being performed at Zabuaye Pariyatti Sar Thin Taik monastery in Thanlyin, a port city in Myanmar.
"Most Thais who want to partake in the rites abroad choose to do it in Myanmar," said Busaya.
Thanlyin also houses the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, a 2,500 ha special economic zone being developed in Kyauktan and Thanlyin townships, 25 kilometres south of Yangon.
One reason Zabuaye Pariyatti Sar Thin Taik was selected is its location in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, where many Thai investors have set up business.
In addition to the standard 20,000 baht (RM2,700) grant per temple from the Thai king for each royally sponsored kathin, about 650,000 baht (RM90,000) in donations was received for the kathin rite in Myanmar.
The donations came from Thai civil servants and the business community.
Other than the donations and kathin robes, items offered to a temple in the kathin rite may also include medicines, food containers, blankets and tools.
Busaya said that apart from economic cooperation, cultural connections and religious ties were forged at these events, which made them a good way to connect with people in different countries.