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2 Feb, 2025

Thai spiritual leaders unite to advance “Peace Tourism” Soft Power agenda

Bangkok – Thailand’s status as an Alliance of Civilisations Destination took a giant step forward on 01 Feb 2025. Spiritual leaders of the Buddhist, Muslim and Christian faiths declared themselves to be a “Model Multicultural Community” by installing prominent signboards at the front entrances of their respective houses of worship.

In an landmark event marking the first day of UN Interfaith Harmony Week, the leaders of the three faiths joined hands in praying for peace, brotherhood and unity amongst the Thai people and for people all over the world.

The three houses of worship, Wat (Temple) Muang Kae, Haroon Mosque and Assumption Cathedral, are all cultural icons located within 300 metres of each other, right behind the famous Oriental Hotel and next door to the French embassy. They are visited by hundreds of tourists every day.

The event was a simple, grassroots affair, with no ministers, politicians, top-level bureaucrats, CEOs, visionaries or thought leaders. But it sent those decision-makers a powerful message: Minus socio-cultural peace and harmony, there can be neither profits nor prosperity.

It was a reminder to the Thai people of the need to safeguard the country from falling victim to the nefarious, divisive hate-peddling Clash of Civilisations agendas of extremist politicians, religious fanatics and their financial supporters in many other countries worldwide.

By taking the lead, they also raised Thailand’s “Soft Power” status and advanced the peace-building agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as the objectives of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Blueprint, the third pillar of the regional integration plan.

The participants included:

Asst. Prof. Dr. Abdulleh Noomsuk, Vice President of the Chularatchamontri, Vice President of the Islamic Committee of Bangkok (Chairman of the Promotion of Multicultural Society), Director of the Wasatiyah Institute for Peace and Development, Chularatchamontri Office and Imam of Darul Ibadah Mosque (Nana) Sam Wa.

Phra Khru Anusit Watcharatham, the abbot of Bang Rak District & abbot of Wat Muang Kae;

Mr. Thanarat Watcharaphisut, Imam of Haroon Mosque,

Father Akkharanon Kitcharoen, Assistant Abbot of Assumption Cathedral.

Mrs. Phonphan Wattanasin, Director of Bang Rak District, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Pharmacist Monchulee Nitiphon, Religious Affairs Section, Area 1,

and Mr. Puttipong Phuttalasri, Manager of the Bangkok Diocese Archives.

The initiative has presented the public and private sectors of Thai Travel & Tourism with a clear window of opportunity to raise their game, put their shoulder to the wheel and elevate the definition of “sustainability” to a whole new level.

Known to be singularly obsessed with bean-counting, the industry will have to find ways of mainstreaming this agenda. In an era of rising man-made chaos and conflict, businesses will make a profit and countries will progress only if they are at peace with themselves, their neighbours and the world at large.

All three “Model Multicultural Community” spots are fascinating places to visit, worthy showcases of a grassroots effort to protect and preserve Thailand’s primary tourism asset: A tolerant, inclusive society which has welcomed visitors for decades.

In addition to The Oriental, other hotels within walking distance or a short riverboat ride from the three houses of worship are the Royal Orchid Sheraton, the Shangri-La, the Peninsula and the Millennium Hilton. All three are patronised by the high-spending visitors now being eagerly chased by the tourism industry. The upmarket shopping complex IconSiam is right across the river.

Collectively, they become yet another prominent visitor attraction on Thailand’s list of “Peace Tourism” spots. A similar “Confluence of Civilisations” cluster of Buddhist, Muslim and Christian places of worship is the Kudijeen area on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya river.

Click here to read more about the Kudijeen.

As the only travel industry journalist invited to cover the 01 Feb event, I am proud to have pioneered and created Thailand’s first “Peace Tourism” itinerary and the tagline “Thailand, The World’s First Alliance of Civilisations Destination.”

Read more about my passion for driving this agenda here.

As the group walked in peace from the Haroon mosque to the Assumption Cathedral, they passed the French embassy. Note the hideous, fortress-like structure and the barbed wire. Many of the embassies of the formerly liberal, tolerant countries of the West now have a similar facade.

Journalists from Thailand’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) covered the event and were invited to say a few words. I was honoured to join them.