LONDON – In celebration of 170 years of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Thailand, the British Embassy in Bangkok has announced support for Wat Buddhapadipa, a Thai Buddhist temple in London, through a traditional Thot Pha Pa donation. The initiative coincides with the temple’s 60th anniversary and aims to fund roof restoration efforts.
The support is framed as a gesture of cultural solidarity and shared values between the two nations. According to the embassy, the initiative not only commemorates historic bilateral ties but also reinforces a long-standing commitment to religious diversity and intercultural understanding.
Wat Buddhapadipa, established in 1965, is the first Thai Buddhist temple in the UK and plays a significant role in the spiritual and cultural life of the approximately 50,000-strong Thai community in Britain. The temple also serves as an educational site, attracting weekly visits from local schools and community members interested in Buddhism and Thai culture.
The Thot Pha Pa donation is a customary Thai Buddhist act of merit-making, often used to support monastic and community needs. In this case, the funds will be directed toward restoring the temple’s roof—a project seen as vital to preserving the building’s religious and architectural heritage.
The British Embassy has also announced a concert performance by The Band of His Britannic Majesty’s Royal Marines, scheduled for 14 June 2025 at Vajiravudh College. Proceeds from this event will contribute to the temple restoration fund.
Wat Buddhapadipa is located in Wimbledon, South London. The site features a 650-year-old Buddha image from the Sukhothai period, gifted by King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1966, and a traditional Thai-style ordination hall decorated with murals. These features make the temple a rare representation of Thai material culture in the UK.
British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Gooding highlighted the significance of the occasion as a reaffirmation of the UK–Thailand relationship, while Phra Ratchawithetpanyakhun, the temple’s abbot, expressed gratitude for the embassy’s support.
