Bangkok Bank led by Bangkok Bank Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors Mr. Singh Tangtatswas, who acted as the Lay Chairman, Directors Mr. Amorn Chandara-Somboon, Mr. Chokechai Niljianskul, Mr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Mr. Predee Daochai, Senior Executive Vice President Mr. Kukkong Ruckphaopunt, Executive Vice Presidents Songkram Sakulphramana, Pochanee Kongkalai, together with the Bank's executives and staff presented the Royal Kathin 2025 for the 59th consecutive year to the monks who have been ordained for the full three months of the Buddhist Lent. The Abbot of Wat Samran Niwet Royal Monastery Phra Wichaimunee (Paitoon Mettajitto) wore the Royal Kathin robe. On this occasion, government agencies led by Governor of Amnat Charoen Province Mr. Anurat Thamprajumjit and local people joined the ceremony which took place at Wat Samran Niwet Royal Monastery. With the power of faith from the Bank's board of directors, executives, employees, customers, and the general public nationwide, the Bank donated 14,453,092.94 baht
As a "leading regional bank", Bangkok Bank is the first financial institution to receive royal grace to take the Royal Kathin to royal monasteries rotating across all regions of Thailand and foreign countries. The Bank has done so for 59 consecutive years since 1967, during the reign of King Rama IX, to help maintain the Buddhist religion in Thailand and in hope of lightening the King's burden and preserving Buddhist traditions and culture to benefit novices and monks who will carry on the faith.
Wat Samran Niwet is a third-class royal temple affiliated with the Dhammayuttika Nikaya monastic order. It was established in 1941 on land donated by devout local villagers. Located in Bung Subdistrict, Mueang Amnat Charoen District, Amnat Charoen Province, the temple is surrounded by forested areas with abundant trees, making it an ideal place for meditation practice. In 1942, the temple was officially named "Wat Samran Niwet" by Somdej Phra Maha Viravong (Oun Tisso), to serve as a counterpart to Wat Phrom Wihan in Loeng Nok Tha District, Ubon Ratchathani Province (now part of Yasothon Province). That same year, the temple began offering Buddhist doctrinal education at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels. In 1944, Wat Samran Niwet was granted the Wisungkhamsima, a royal boundary for ordination, signifying its status as a fully established temple. It was later recognized as an exemplary development temple by the Department of Religious Affairs in both 1978 and 1997. On March 22, 2000, in honor of the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 6th cycle birthday celebration, the temple was elevated to the status of a third-class royal temple (ordinary type) by royal decree.