As Thailand welcomed the New Year, the country’s senior religious leaders issued messages of hope, moral guidance, and national solidarity through the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT), reflecting on the hardships of the past year and urging unity, compassion, and peace in 2026.
Supreme Patriarch Stresses Gratitude as Moral Foundation
Thailand’s Supreme Patriarch, His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, 95, conveyed his New Year message in writing, offering blessings to the nation and prayers for global peace.
At the heart of his message was gratitude, which he described as a guiding principle for both personal conduct and social stability.
Quoting a Buddhist proverb in Pali, “Nimitta sathurupanam katanyukataveta,” translated as “Gratitude and respect are marks of a good person,” the Supreme Patriarch urged the public to strengthen moral resolve and inner discipline.
He explained that gratitude nurtures honesty, restraint, and responsibility toward parents, teachers, institutions, and the nation, helping to prevent harmful behavior, build trust, and reinforce social cohesion.
Reflecting on the challenges of the past year, including national sorrow, natural disasters, and security concerns, the senior monk acknowledged the resilience of Thai society and its capacity to endure adversity.
He noted that gratitude has long inspired compassion, mutual support, and remembrance of sacrifice, enabling communities to support one another during times of hardship.
The Supreme Patriarch also warned that ego and division can lead to conflict, stressing that goodwill and moral behavior are essential to sustaining peace.
He described the practice of offering good wishes in the New Year as laudable, saying it reflects the civilization of humanity and its capacity to foster peace at social, national, and global levels.
His message concluded with blessings for peace, wisdom, and well-being throughout 2026, invoking spiritual merit and virtuous conduct as sources of lasting happiness, national stability, and security for the Thai people, as well as protection for the monarchy and the royal family.
Muslim Leader Calls for Unity and Moral Responsibility
The Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, Arun Boonchom, delivered a New Year message extending wishes of peace, compassion, and prosperity to the Thai people.
He prayed for guidance and protection as the nation continues to face challenges, including natural disasters and security concerns, and urged citizens to live by moral principles and the teachings of their respective faiths.
Calling for unity among people of all backgrounds, Arun emphasized peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and cooperation among religious and cultural communities as pillars of Thai society. He also expressed support for soldiers and security personnel tasked with safeguarding national sovereignty and public safety.
Reflecting on recent crises, he stressed the need to learn from hardship and to adapt ways of life to live in greater balance with nature.
Catholic Leader Emphasizes Compassion, Peace, and Hope
For the Catholic Church, Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, offered a New Year message marked by reflection, solidarity, and hope.
He described the past year as a time of sorrow, challenge, and change, recalling the nationwide mourning following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, whose compassion and lifelong dedication to the Thai people, he said, continue to unite the nation.
The archbishop also addressed the suffering of communities in southern Thailand affected by severe flooding, noting that the experience reaffirmed the importance of generosity, compassion, and mutual support in times of crisis.
Amid global instability and conflict, Archbishop Francis Xavier underscored peace as a shared human value rooted in love, understanding, cooperation, and mutual respect. He stressed that unity, reconciliation, and shared responsibility remain essential for Thai society to move forward with strength and hope.
The message concluded with prayers for peace, wisdom, courage, good health, and enduring hope for Thai families in the year ahead. He also conveyed blessings to His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, and the Royal Family, expressing the hope that 2026 would be a year of resilience and peace for the nation.
