How does a tree play role in Thailand-US diplomacy

The US embassy to Thailand introduces its first tree ordination held in the heart of Bangkok. 
An 80-year-old rain tree at the US ambassador's residence in Bangkok has been ordained as a symbol of protection, respect and the long-standing friendship between Thailand and the United States.

Ambassador of the United States to Thailand, Sean K. O’Neill, emphasised the symbolisation of bilateral ties between Thailand and the US, with Bangkok governor, Chadchart Sittipuntm and a delegation of monks from Wat Suthiwararam and Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.

The rain tree is believed to have been rooted there since before 1947 when the property became the US ambassador's residence.

“Every US ambassador since 1947 has called this place home. We have taken care of this tree and all of the irreplaceable nature and history on these grounds. In many ways, I think this property is a symbol of the friendship between the United States and Thailand”, O’Neill opined.
 

Under the Thai tradition of tree ordination, a tree is wrapped in saffron cloth and given sacred status. The practice is intended to discourage people from cutting down the tree, based on the belief that harming an ordained tree would be akin to harming something sacred.

The ambassador said his appreciation for the tradition developed during his previous posting as US consul general in Chiang Mai, where he witnessed communities blessing and protecting trees.

“I first saw this ceremony when I lived in Chiang Mai as my wife and I lived in Chiang Mai for three years, and there's so much beautiful nature in Thailand, and we are very touched by the tradition of blessing trees, of venerating the trees that have been part of these communities for so long”, O'Neill explained.

The tree ordination is particularly significant in the northern part of Thailand where it blends Thai tradition to the local beliefs that old trees have spirits or guidance of the forest. 
 

With this, the ritual is one of the practices to preserve and prevent the trees from defilement and removal.

The ambassador said the ceremony at his residence was intended to reflect his respect for Thai culture while demonstrating his commitment to caring for the property just like any past US ambassador. 

Meanwhile, Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, sees the significance of this ritual in preserving and expanding more green spaces as there are many old trees like the ones in the US ambassador’s Residence across Bangkok. 

“When we open a building, we have a ceremony. But trees, we need something like this to remind us the importance of them and try to take good care of them. So I think it's not only the BMA's responsibility. It's our responsibility to try to increase our green space in the city,” he said.

The BMA plans to register old trees like the rain tree at the Residence as city assets as part of efforts to preserve more green spaces across the capital.

The ceremony gives the nearly century-old tree a new significance, not only as part of the history of the US ambassador's residence but also as a living reminder of Thailand's tradition of respecting and protecting nature.

As this year, the United States marks its 250th anniversary as a nation, the nearly century tree stands as a quiet witness to generations of US ambassadors and the long-standing history of both nations.