Anutin Charnvirakul held hands with his wife, Nong Ja, during a visit to the Thai temple in Canberra. The abbot offered blessings and encouragement for their national work before they planted a magnolia tree as a memento of the visit.
On 19 August 2026 at Wat Dhammatharo in the Commonwealth of Australia, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also Minister of Interior, accompanied by his wife and entourage, visited Wat Dhammatharo. The Honourable Anne Aly MP, Australia's Minister for International Development and Multicultural Affairs, Thai Ambassador to Canberra Ajaree Srirattanaball, and the Thai community in Australia warmly welcomed them.
The Prime Minister paid respects to Phra Ratchasilaporn, abbot of Wat Dhammatharo and chairman of the Dhammayut Sangha administration committee in Australia and New Zealand, presenting traditional monastic robes, offerings, and flowers with incense and candles. The abbot expressed gratitude in welcoming Thailand's 33rd Prime Minister, the first to visit this temple, and offered encouragement and blessings for the Prime Minister's mission to serve the nation as intended.
Afterwards, the Prime Minister and his wife paid homage to the replica Buddha image, Phra Phuttha Angkhiros, the principal Buddha in the ubosot, and honored the Buddha's relics at the Phra Chedi Sri Dhammatharo. They also paid respects to the statue of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great before jointly planting an 'Inspiration' magnolia tree with Australia's Minister for Multicultural Affairs as a commemorative symbol of the visit, representing inspiration and fond memories.
Wat Dhammatharo is the first and only Thai temple in Canberra, established over 30 years ago, serving as a vital spiritual center for Thais living in Australia. In the evening, the Prime Minister and his wife attended a dinner hosted by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the official prime ministerial residence in Canberra, held in their honor.
