French President Backs Establishment of Wat Pho Paris

[webfact]

    
BANGKOK (NNT) - French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed support for the establishment of Wat Pho Paris, an extension of the famous Wat Phra Chetuphon temple, known as Wat Pho, in Paris.

 

The endorsement came during a meeting on November 9 with Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn, the abbot of Wat Pho, at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

 

The abbot has traveled to the European country to inaugurate Wat Pho Paris, with its launch ceremony expected to be attended by scores of faithful Thais. The discussion between the two sides, which lasted about 45 minutes, focused on the development of Buddhism in Thailand and its adaptation to promote world peace.

 

Also present at the meeting were Phra Sri Wichira Thamwithet, the Sangha chairman of Wat Pho Paris, and Boonyarit Vichienpuntu, the acting ambassador of the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris.

 

Macron, who visited Wat Pho during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok last year, reaffirmed his support for the new temple located in Rue de Rimoron, 91650 Breux-Jouy.

 

The establishment of Wat Pho Paris also signifies 333 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and France. The temple will serve as a hub for Dhamma teachings and peace, contributing to the growth of Buddhism in France.

Information and Source

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 2023-11-14

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[brianthainess]

So where did this abbot get his money from to build a Temple. I'd suggest checking his bank accounts and tracing the money flow. 

[John Drake]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The establishment of Wat Pho Paris also signifies 333 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and France.

 

I thought the French were kicked out of Thailand in the late 17th century after they tried to conquer Siam and couldn't. Then, no more relations until the mid 19th century. So maybe not 333 years of diplomatic relations in total.

[Enoon]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

 

I thought the French were kicked out of Thailand in the late 17th century after they tried to conquer Siam and couldn't. Then, no more relations until the mid 19th century. So maybe not 333 years of diplomatic relations in total.

 

The events of the late 17th century arose from the pro-French attitude of the Siamese King. If anything they arose as a result of his seeking to maintain independence against other influences than France:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_revolution_of_1688

"King Narai especially sought to expand relations with the French, as a counterweight to Portuguese and Dutch influence in his kingdom, and at the suggestion of his Greek councilor Phaulkon"

 

"With Narai's permission, fortresses with French troops and under French control were established at Mergui and Bangkok, in order to reaffirm the commercial treaty of 1685, provide a counterweight to Dutch influence in the region, and help to combat piracy."

 

 

 

 

Edited November 14, 2023 by Enoon

[John Drake]

5 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

The events of the late 17th century arose from the pro-French attitude of the Siamese King. If anything they arose as a result of his seeking to maintain independence against other influences than France:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_revolution_of_1688

"King Narai especially sought to expand relations with the French, as a counterweight to Portuguese and Dutch influence in his kingdom, and at the suggestion of his Greek councilor Phaulkon"

 

"With Narai's permission, fortresses with French troops and under French control were established at Mergui and Bangkok, in order to reaffirm the commercial treaty of 1685, provide a counterweight to Dutch influence in the region, and help to combat piracy."

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at your link, it seems that Narai made himself extremely unpopular with his pro French attitude and it all resulted in his and his family's execution and the ousting of the French in 1688. Your article says they didn't return until 1856.

[geisha]

On 11/14/2023 at 3:07 AM, brianthainess said:

So where did this abbot get his money from to build a Temple. I'd suggest checking his bank accounts and tracing the money flow. 

It’s not a temple as in Thailand architecture. It’s a building/ center of teaching  and serving  the growing number of Buddhists in France . It’s 35 kms south of Paris. Lots of Thais in France now. The Abbot of Wat Pho Bangkok was only there to officially open it.