Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand have presented a holy relic of the Buddha to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Bhutan for permanent enshrinement at the venerated site of the Buddha Dordenma in Bhutan.

The presentation took place on 26 April 2025, when His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana visited the Buddha Dordenma to attend a Buddhist prayer chanting ceremony performed by 74 Thai and 74 Bhutanese monks to extend blessings to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand. 

The holy Buddha relic serves as a symbol of friendship and the close affinity between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Bhutan, whose shared Buddhist heritage and reverence for the monarchy have forged a profound connection between the two countries.

Their Majesties the King and Queen arrived in Bhutan on 25 April for a four-day State Visit, from 25 to 28 April, at the invitation of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan. This State Visit is the first to a foreign country of His Majesty the King’s reign.

Upon arrival, Their Majesties were accorded a warm welcome at Paro International Airport with the presentation of Khadar scarves, symbolizing goodwill and respect. Crowds of Bhutanese people lined the route to Hotel Pemako Thimphu, where Their Majesties are staying, to greet and welcomed Their Majesties. Cultural performances were also staged along the way.

On 26 April, in the afternoon, Their Majesties the King and Queen proceeded to the Dechencholing Royal Project to view exhibitions on the collaboration between the Royal Projects of Thailand and their Bhutanese counterparts, as well as displays of products from the One Gewog, One Product (OGOP) project.

Thailand has supported the introduction of its “One Tambon, One Product (OTOP)” program for use in the OGOP project in Bhutan. Both countries believe that both OTOP and OGOP will help develop the potential of communities and add value to local products.