Speech of Gratitude to Phrarajabhavanavisudh : หน้า 69/103

Speech of Gratitude to the President of Dhammakaya Foundation, Phrarajabhavanavisudh on 23 February 2005 Most Venerable Phrarajabhavanavisudh, Venerable Sirs, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great honour for me to be a part of this sacred ceremony organized at the Maha Dhammakaya Cetiya in the midst of more than 100,000 monks and laypeople. On Sunday 26 December 2004, Thailand was assailed by the biggest natural disaster in the nation’s history, namely the Tsunami Tidal Wave which broke along the Andaman coast causing a catastrophic loss of life and property. News coverage inspired many Thai people to show their sympathy by giving monetary donations and assistance to the victims, in witness of the Thai spirit of sharing and showing that Thai people never abandon one another in times of trouble. On the part of the Thai Senate, task forces were immediately set up to help assist those missing in this disaster. As Chairman of the Senate, I myself worked in cooperation with the Dhammakaya Foundation in bringing supplies and medication to victims in the affected areas. After the short-term problems had been addressed, rebuilding was the next important step to help relieve people’s trauma - and this included giving them encouragement to carry on their lives in happiness. To restore morale to the survivors, the Senate, the Dhammakaya Foundation and many organizations in the public and private sectors helped organize two memorial services in honour of those who lost their lives -- one in Phuket province on 5 January 2005 and a second in Phang Nga province at Takua district on 19 January 2005. The latter ceremony was organized to dedicate merit to the departed and involved more than 10,000 people, 2,000 monks and diplomats from sixteen countries. The atmosphere of the ceremony reflected the unity between Thais and overseas participants irrespective of race, religion, creed or nationality. All were touched by the ceremony and praised how well the ceremony had been organized, how dedication of merit for the dead had been encouraged, together with the compassion and love expressed through sharing. These ceremonies were a major force in restoring the morale of the survivors. The process and over thirty news agencies broadcast the spectacle to the world helping to restore world confidence in the Thai nation. The success of this ceremony came about through the close cooperation of many organizations in the Thai public and private sectors. Much of the credit for these ceremonies must go to Phrarajabhavanavisudh, who dispatched many hundreds of his specialists and staff to organize the ceremony - whether it be organizing the venue, preparation, promotion and invitation of monks and congregation. The Most Venerable also shouldered all expenses incurred including coordination with local Kalyanami Centres and local people to bring the ceremony to completion. On this auspicious occasion, as the Chairman of the Thai Senate, I would like to take this opportunity to express untold gratitude to Phrarajabhavanavisudh, the President of Dhammakaya Foundation and those involved in organizing these memorial services. It is my hope that we will continue to work together in the future for the prosperity of our country. Yours respectfully, H.E. Suchon Chaleekreua, Chairman of the Thai Senate