Thai mountaineer successfully conquered Mount Yasa Thak in Nepal

On December 2, 2024, Mr. Vitidnan Rojanapanich, a Thai mountaineer successfully reached the summit of Mount Yasa Thak in Nepal, which stands at an elevation of 6,141 meters above sea level. Upon completing the mission, Nepal’s Department of Tourism awarded Mr. Vitidnan a Certificate of Mountaineering Expedition as the first foreigner who successfully reached the summit.

This mission was organized to pay tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn. On this occasion, Mr. Vitidnan brought a Buddha statue (Phra Buddha Metta) from Wat Thai Buddhagaya to place on the summit, along with a glass box containing Kalanamak rice, which is the same rice that was offered to the Buddha by Sujata during the Buddha’s era.

On completion of the mission, The Nepal Mountaineering Association will also seek official approval to add a suffix “Echo Peak” to Mount Yasa Thak as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Thailand and Nepal. The term “Echo” reflects the everlasting resonance of love and friendship shared by the two nations, inspired by a royal composition “Echo” by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.

Mr. Vitidnan is a trailblazing Thai mountaineer who became the first Thai to successfully summit Mount Everest, which stands at an elevation of 8,849 meters in 2008. He has also conquered many other renowned peaks, including those in the Seven Summits, inspiring sports enthusiasts in Thailand. Additionally, Mr. Vitidnan is the founder and president of the Thailand-Nepal Friendship Association, which aims to strengthen ties between the two countries. He played a significant role in providing aids to Nepal during the devastating earthquake in 2015, by organizing donations, essential supplies, and medical equipment.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, through the Department of South Asian, Middle East, and African Affaris, and the Thailand Foundation have supported this expedition in line with Mr. Vitidnan’s objective. It also serves as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Thailand and Nepal. The event also marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and aims to strengthen people-to-people relations, fostering further cooperation that will benefit both nations in the future.