BANGKOK — A lively procession took place in Bangkok on Wednesday, drawing over 2,000 individuals to honor a significant occasion. The event celebrated the birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, as well as the 50-year diplomatic relationship between Thailand and China. Central to this celebration was a revered relic of the Buddha, a sacred tooth piece that was lent by China for the proceedings.

Earlier in the day, the tooth relic was transported from the Lingguang Temple in Beijing, where it is usually kept. This practice of loaning the sacred tooth has become a form of soft diplomacy for China, although it has been met with disputes from various countries regarding its rightful ownership and origins.

As the relic was paraded through one of Bangkok’s historic neighborhoods, it was displayed in an elaborate golden container mounted on a float adorned with flowers. Attendants accompanied the vehicle on its journey, which covered approximately 2.5 kilometers (about 1.5 miles), leading to a grand pavilion established on Sanam Luang—a vast field adjacent to the iconic Grand Palace.

During the procession, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, along with her cabinet officials, received the revered relic amidst the melodic chants of monks. The event also saw participation from Chinese representatives, including the ambassador to Thailand, emphasizing the collaborative spirit during this special event.

This loan of the sacred tooth forms part of the broader commemorative activities related to the 72nd birthday of the Thai king. Additionally, it lays the groundwork for the upcoming celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations in the following year. Historically, this relic has previously graced Thailand’s shores, including an exhibition in 2002 that was held in honor of the late King Bhumibol, the father of Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The relic is set to remain available for public viewing at the pavilion through mid-February, allowing many to pay their respects to this significant cultural artifact.