On 3 March 2015, H.E. Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar, visited Kyaing Tong, Shan State, to join the merit making ceremony on the occasion of Makha Buja Day (Full Moon Day of Tabaung). On this occasion, Amb. Pisanu offered 2,000 textbooks on Buddhism in Tai Khun dialect to the Kyaing Tong Patriarch for distribution to various monasteries for monks and novices to learn the teachings of Lord Buddha.

These 2,000 reprinted textbooks on Buddhism in Tai Khun dialect was an initiative of the Royal Thai Embassy as part of collaborative efforts under the framework of Chiang Mai-Kyaing Tong Sister Cities.  It is in response to the request of Kyaing Tong Cultural Association to promote Buddhism education among local community in Kyaing Tong where Tai Khun dialect is generally used.  The textbooks, newly reprinted in Chiang Mai from the original, will replace those textbooks currently used which are in poor condition and lacking in quantity.

The Tai Khun dialect belongs to a group of Tai languages and is widely used in Kyaing Tong.  It is similar to Lanna language which was widely use and is still in use today in the northern part of Thailand.  This truly reflects the close proximity between Thailand and Myanmar in their history, arts and cultures, beliefs, and traditions.

This project will contribute to the promotion and propagation of Buddhism which is one of shared values of Thailand and Myanmar, as well as the enhancement of close cooperation, understanding, and people-to-people contact, which in turn will help further strengthen the solid foundation of Thailand-Myanmar relations for mutual benefits of both countries and peoples.

The project to reprint the textbooks has been successful through the generous support of the Verapuchong Foundation, the Institute of Bodhikayavijalai 980-India, Thai Nakorn Pattana Co.,Ltd., and Mae Fah Luang University.  These collaborative efforts will mark another important milestone in the Thailand-Myanmar relations, and to help propagate Buddhism among Thai and Myanmar peoples.