Thai Royal Noble Consort Sineenat Bilaskalyani, a distinguished member of the Thai royal family and consort of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, on January 30–31, 2026. During her two-day pilgrimage, she offered prayers for world peace at the sacred Mayadevi Temple, participated in religious rituals, and interacted with monks and nuns from various countries, highlighting the spiritual and cultural ties between Thailand and Nepal.
Arrival and Warm Welcome
Consort Sineenat Bilaskalyani arrived in Lumbini via overland travel from India on Thursday, January 29, leading a 70-member delegation. The group had previously visited other prominent Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, including Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, before entering Nepal through the Belahiya–Bhairahawa border. Upon arrival, she was warmly received by officials of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), including Member Secretary Deepak Shrestha, Project Chief Smita Bhatta, Information Chief Dr. Hari D. Rai, Security Chief Khagendra Kafle, Botany Chief Kamalesh Verma, and other key staff members.
The delegation was also formally welcomed by local authorities and representatives of the Royal Thai Monastery in Lumbini, emphasizing the significance of this visit in fostering cultural and spiritual relations between the two nations.
Religious Program and Prayers
On Friday morning, January 31, Sineenat Bilaskalyani participated in a special religious program organized by the Royal Thai Monastery. She offered prayers at the Mayadevi Temple, one of the holiest sites in Buddhism, and performed a circumambulation of the historic Pushkarini Pond, located south of the temple. During this ritual, she recited protective Buddhist chants for approximately half an hour, invoking blessings for world peace, harmony, and compassion.
The religious rites were led by Phra Phrom Vajirabodhivong, the Thai ecclesiastical envoy to India and Nepal. Following the prayers at the pond, she also visited the Asoka Pillar within the Mayadevi Temple complex and spent nearly two hours in meditation and prayer, engaging with monks and nuns from diverse countries.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Member Secretary Deepak Shrestha presented a token of love on behalf of the Lumbini Development Trust, honoring her presence and contributions to the promotion of Buddhist heritage and spiritual diplomacy.
Strengthening Thai-Nepalese Cultural and Spiritual Ties
This visit marks the fourth time a member of the Thai royal family has visited Lumbini. The previous visit by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn eight years ago had led to a gradual increase in Thai tourism to Lumbini, and Sineenat Bilaskalyani’s pilgrimage is expected to further strengthen Buddhist tourism and spiritual exchanges between Thailand and Nepal.
The royal consort’s presence highlights the long-standing cultural and religious ties between the two countries, particularly through shared reverence for Lord Buddha. Her visit also serves as a symbol of Nepal’s role as a central hub for global Buddhist pilgrims.
Departure and Continuing Pilgrimage
After completing her visit to Lumbini, Sineenat Bilaskalyani departed for Bangkok on Friday afternoon aboard a Thai Air Force-chartered Boeing 737 aircraft. The two-day visit included stays at the Royal Thai Monastery in Lumbini, providing a base for her religious and cultural activities.
Before arriving in Nepal, the consort had visited significant Buddhist sites in India, reinforcing the broader Buddhist pilgrimage circuit across South Asia. Leading a high-profile delegation, her journey emphasized spiritual diplomacy and strengthened people-to-people connections, paving the way for increased Thai tourist arrivals and cultural exchanges in Nepal in the coming years.
Officials from the Lumbini Development Trust noted that the royal consort’s visit is expected to boost Buddhist tourism from Thailand and promote Lumbini as a global spiritual destination. The event also underscores Nepal’s commitment to fostering international cultural and religious relations, leveraging its historical and spiritual heritage to attract pilgrims and tourists worldwide.
Sineenat Bilaskalyani’s pilgrimage demonstrates how religious diplomacy and spiritual engagement can play a vital role in international relations, reinforcing Nepal’s reputation as the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a center for peace and meditation.
