The robed Buddhist monks were an unexpected sight at the Wingello Rural Fire Service headquarters on Tuesday.

The holy men, based at the nearby Sunnataram Forest Monastery, were there to show their appreciation to the firefighters who have battled to protect the area.

Buddhist monks visited the Wingello RFS headquarters to show their appreciation on Tuesday. Credit:Isabella Porras

The monks' offer to the volunteers and survivors of the fires? Free Thai massages, of course.

Their gesture partly reflects a deeply-held gratitude among Thai people after nine Australians helped with the rescue of 12 boys stuck in a flooded Thailand cave in mid-2018.