On 12 April 2024, H.E. Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Ambassador-Designate to Belgium, and Mr. Nithi Patarachoke, spouse, H.E. Mr. Tej Bunnag and Mrs. Phensri Bunnag, spouse, as well as the Embassy’s officials and staff attended a buddhist ceremony and Songkran festival at Wat Dhammaprateep, Muizen, Belgium (address: Willendriesstraat 7b, 2812 Mechelen). H.E. the Ambassador introduced herself upon assumption of her duties to the Abbot of the Temple and Thai people in the ceremony. She stressed the importance of the Embassy’s mission in protecting and strengthening the Thai communities in Belgium and Luxembourg and reiterated that the Embassy stands ready to help Thai people in times of need. H.E. the Ambassador also dedicated herself to support any endeavours of the Temple and raise awareness of Buddhism in Belgium and Luxembourg.
At the event, the Embassy organised Mobile Consular Service for the first time in 2024 for Thai nationals who seek to renew their passports and legalise their documents as well as consult on different consular matters. The service has proved to be very successful with almost 60 Thai nationals being helped. This year the Embassy plans to organise other 3 Mobile Consular Service in Luxembourg (28 April), Bruges (19 May), and Bredene (24 August). Please follow the Embassy’s Facebook page (Royal Thai Embassy Brussels) and website (https://brussels.thaiembassy.org) for the latest news and updates.
Wat Dhammaprateep was founded in 2005. In 2017, due to increasing number of the Temple’s members, the Abbot decided to move the Temple to the current location in Muizen. Wat Dhammaprateep is the centre of Thai nationals in Belgium, especially in the Flanders. The Temple plays a crucial part in spreading Buddhism in Belgium alongside with other Thai temples.