History of the National Day of Bhutan
Bhutan's official name is the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is also known as "The Land of the Thunder Dragon." This is a reference to Druk the mythical dragon, which a national symbol of Bhutan.
Bhutan was first unified in the early 17th century by a Buddhist monk, Ngawang Namgyal. It was ruled under the Tibetan dual system of government led by the Zhabdrung - reincarnations of the mind, body and speech of Ngawang Namgyal.
Bhutan's early history is steeped in Buddhist tradition and mythology. It's said that a saint who had the ability to appear in eight different forms visited Bhutan and left the imprint of his body and his hat on rocks.
Bhutanese schoolbooks describe demons that threatened villages and destroyed temples until they were captured through magic and converted to Buddhism. Tales abound of ghosts who destroyed temples, and angels who rebuilt them. Another story tells of a saint who flew on the back of a tiger and turned into a garuda, a bird that is a distant relative of the griffin.
National Day is a public holiday in the Kingdom of Bhutan on December 17th each year.
Sources:
Armington, S. (1998). Bhutan (1st). Lonely Planet.
National Day in Bhutan in 2021. (2021). https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/bhutan/bhutan-national-day
Relationship between Bhutan and Assumption University of Thailand
The President-Rector Magnificus and the Academic Community of Assumption University of Thailand greets and congratulates the Government and people of the Kingdom of Phutan on the occasion of the National Day of Phutan on December 17, 2023.
The University community is pleased that currently there are Phutanese students enrolled in some undergraduate and graduate degree programs and we wish all our Phutanese students a happy celebration on their country’s National Day.
Some of the University Guests from the Kingdom of Phutan
On October 29, 2020, Rev. Brother Dr. Bancha Saenghiran, President-Rector Magnificus of Assumption University of Thailand hosted a courtesy call by The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bhutan to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Tschewang C. Dorgi and two Embassy staff, at the Office of the President, Hua Mak Campus. The two leaders discussed topics of academic interests while also setting out future plans for the development of closer relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and Assumption University’s Academic programs.
On May 24, 2011, Ms. Sangay Zam, Secretary to the Minister of Education, and a delegation from the Kingdom of Bhutan visited Assumption University Suvarnabhumi campus. Mr. Glen Vivian Chatelier, director, the Office of International Affairs, welcomed the visitors.
On July 4, 2008, A group of administrators and students from The Royal University of Bhutan visited Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus. The visitors were welcomed and officially given the briefing or orientation by Mr. Kamol Kitsawad, the University Registrar, Mr. Glen Vivian Chatelier, Director of the Office of International Affairs, and Dr. Chiraprapha La-Ongkum, Director of the Central Library.
On December 11, 2007, A group of administrators and students from The Royal University of Bhutan visited Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus. The visitors were welcomed and officially given the briefing or orientation by Rev. Bro. Dr. Prathip M. Komolmas, Rector Emeritus of Assumption University of Thailand and Mr. Kamol Kitsawad, the University Registrar.
