Vatican honours Thai leaders for faith and service

Eight distinguished Thais — six Catholics and two Buddhists — have received papal honours for their dedication to the Church, humanitarian causes and interfaith cooperation.

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The honourees and Vatican representatives pose for a group photograph.

The Vatican has conferred papal decorations on eight distinguished Thais in two ceremonies in Bangkok, recognising their devoted service to the Catholic Church, humanitarian action and efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony.

Six Catholics received honours at Assumption Cathedral on November 30, followed this week by an unprecedented presentation of Benemerenti Medals to two Buddhist leaders at the Apostolic Nunciature.

Presiding on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Peter Brian Wells praised the recipients as individuals whose quiet and enduring dedication has strengthened both the Church and Thai society. Among the six Catholic honourees were two senior members of the Sisters of St Paul de Chartres — Rev Mother Myriam Kitcharoen and Rev Sr Agnes Boonraksa Sritrakul — who received the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for distinguished service in religious formation and education.

Four lay figures were invested into the Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great. Among them was Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, a prominent business figure and philanthropist, who was elevated to Dame Commander, the highest rank conferred by the Vatican on lay recipients. She previously received the Papal Award Dame of St Gregory the Great in 2014 from Pope Benedict XVI.

Well known for her support for culture, sports, education and public health, she has contributed extensively to medical infrastructure, youth development and artistic institutions. Church leaders also highlighted her longstanding charitable outreach and her role in organising the apostolic visit of Pope Francis to Thailand in 2019.