A Vietnamese-Thai businessman has produced a series of holy amulets in commemoration of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk whose self-immolation in Vietnam in 1963 became an international symbol of protest against the persecution of Buddhists by the then-South Vietnam administration.

At Tuesday’s ceremony announcing Thich Quang Duc’s Holy Amulet Production in Bangkok, Sudhep Silpangam revealed the foundations for the project he first dreamed up two years ago and was able to complete in just two months thanks to support from the Vietnamese-Thai community and Thai businessmen in Vietnam.

The project is also intended to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand relations (1976-2016), in accordance with Silpangam’s goal of contributing to the celebration.

Attending the ceremony, Thai Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Panadda Diskul expressed elation at the development of the two countries’ relationship over the last 40 years and announced his wishes for a continued prosperous relationship between the two nations.

According to Silpangam, the amulets are meant as a means of connecting people in both countries and highlighting the prominent role of Buddhism in both societies.

The ceremony drew attention from the local press and was attended by numerous artists from Thailand and Vietnam.

At the ceremony, a life-size cast-iron statue of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc by Thai artist Banjerd Lekkong was unveiled before being put up for auction, with all proceeds going to help fund Silpangam’s project.

Silpangam said he intends to donate a majority of the revenue to a number of pagodas related to Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc in Vietnam.