In a profound demonstration of international goodwill and cross-border humanitarianism, His Majesty The King of Bhutan has formally recognized a distinguished collective of 21 traditional Tit Tar practitioners hailing from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore. The multinational team, led by the renowned Master Chris Leong and Master Erik Leong, was granted high honors for their compassionate, selfless medical and therapeutic service extended directly to the Bhutanese citizens. The official investiture took place during a deeply symbolic special ceremony held within the sacred confines of the Grand Kuenrey of Tashichhodzong on June 4.
The Pinnacle of Merit: National Recognition
Central to the royal ceremony was the conferral of the National Order of Merit (Gold) upon both Master Chris Leong and Master Erik Leong. This exceptional award reflects His Majesty’s profound appreciation for their outstanding leadership, logistical dedication, and clinical expertise. Under their guidance, the team mobilized specialized traditional bone-setting and alignment techniques—collectively known as Tit Tar—to alleviate physical ailments and cultivate profound physical recovery among hundreds of vulnerable individuals throughout the Kingdom.
The royal recognition extended beyond leadership to highlight critical institutional skill-transfer. Ms. Coco Kho and Mr. Mohammed Asrul were ceremonially awarded the Desuung Pin (Bronze). This particular distinction celebrates their tireless contributions as lead instructors operating under the framework of the Desuung Skilling Programme, an initiative highly championed by the Bhutanese throne to empower local communities with durable, practical livelihoods and specialized knowledge.
A Legacy of Healing and Knowledge Transfer
The historical roots of this royal recognition trace back to the team’s extensive voluntary deployments. The practitioners generously offered their valuable time, intensive physical labor, and clinical expertise during the highly revered Global Peace Prayers in November 2025. Their service continued in commemoration of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen’s 36th Birth Anniversary. Across these milestone deployments, the team succeeded in bringing direct physical relief, pain management, and anatomical healing to more than 1,000 individuals who otherwise lacked access to this specialized form of traditional therapy.
Crucially, the mission extended far past immediate clinical interventions. Embracing a philosophy of sustainable development, the team partnered dynamically with the Desuung Skilling Programme to explicitly train local Desuups (Bhutan’s revered volunteers) in fundamental Tit Tar methods. This collaborative educational framework ensures the generation of lasting, localized capabilities within Bhutan, allowing native practitioners to maintain, perpetuate, and expand this healing art long after external deployments conclude.
Driven by an enduring bond of genuine friendship and deep affection for the cultural heritage of Bhutan, the multinational collective has officially pledged to sustain their clinical and educational support into the foreseeable future. Their enduring service remains a stellar testament to human empathy, significantly strengthening the cultural, diplomatic, and humanitarian bonds of goodwill connecting Bhutan with its partner nations across Southeast Asia.
