Devotees mourn deeply. "Luang Pho Charoen Thanyutto" The abbot of Wat Non Sawang, a renowned monk from Udon Thani, passed away peacefully at age 64.
On 26 Dec 2024, reporters reported that Wat Non Sawang in Mak Ya Subdistrict, Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province, announced the illness of Phra Phiphat Wachirakhom Wi., also known as Luang Pho Charoen Thanyutto, abbot of Wat Non Sawang and chief monk of Nong Wua So District (Dhammayutika Nikaya). Due to flu and pulmonary edema, he was admitted for treatment at the monks' ward 10 of Udon Thani Regional Hospital on 29 Nov 2024, receiving continuous care from specialist doctors, nurses, and attendants.
On 22 Dec 2024, doctors transferred him to the intensive care unit for monks ward 9 because Luang Pho Charoen showed abnormally slow heartbeats and was unconscious. A brain CT scan revealed ischemic stroke caused by cerebral artery blockage. He required mechanical ventilation and intravenous heart stimulants but remained in critical condition.
The medical team provided continuous full treatment. However, his severe illness did not respond to treatment. Luang Pho Charoen passed away peacefully at 05:58 on 26 Dec 2024, aged 64, with 43 years in the monkhood, causing deep sorrow among his disciples.
Regarding his background, Phra Phiphat Wachirakhom Wi., known as Luang Pho Charoen Thanyutto, was born Charoen Sarak on 7 June 1961 in Nong Wua So Village, Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province. His father was Mr. Sanguan Sarak from Ubon Ratchathani, and his mother was Mrs. Huad Sarak from Udon Thani. He had 10 siblings—8 brothers and 2 sisters—and was the sixth child. He was ordained as a novice monk at Wat Bunyanusorn, Nong Wua So District. As a novice, he studied palm-leaf scriptures, Isan script, and learned occult arts from Pa Yai Mun, a local scholar. He became proficient in reading and writing Isan Dhamma script, Lanna Dhamma script, and Tai Noi script, and was able to inscribe palm-leaf manuscripts since ordination, acquiring Buddhist occult knowledge.
At age 20, he was fully ordained as a monk at Wat Pa Samakkhi Uppatham, Bueng Kan District, Nong Khai Province, with Phra Kru Sirithamwat as preceptor and received the dharma name “Thanyutto” in the Dhammayutika Nikaya. He stayed with Phra Yan Sitthacharn (Luang Pu Metta Luang) at Wat Thepphitak Punnaram, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, learning the Metta Luang teachings, magical formulas, yantra numerology, incantations, and talismanic protections such as Ton Takrut for invulnerability and Yan Trinisinkha. He was taught to chant elements earth, water, wind, fire, and the syllables Na, Ma, Pa, Ta. After Luang Pu Bunma Thitpemo of Wat Sirisawan in Nong Bua Lamphu passed away, he attended the royal cremation ceremony and was invited to stay on.
Later, after Phra Kru Phutthakasanowat, abbot of Wat Si Sawang in Nong Wua So, passed away, he assisted with the funeral until completion. Villagers invited him to reside and develop the temple in his hometown, eventually appointing him abbot. The temple's name changed from Wat Si Sawang to Wat Non Sawang, where he resided until his passing. Under his stewardship, the temple flourished and became a spiritual refuge for people in Udon Thani and the Isan region, as he mastered Buddhist occult studies. On 5 Dec 1994, he was granted the ecclesiastical title Phra Kru Phiphat Witthayakhom Wi. On 3 July 2024, he was conferred the royal ecclesiastical rank of Phra Phiphat Wachirakhom Wi., a middle-level title in the Vipassana division.
Devotees placed the body of Luang Pho Charoen in a glass coffin on the first floor of the Luang Ta Maha Bua building at Udon Thani Regional Hospital for public homage. On 27 Dec 2024 at 12:00, his body will be moved from the hospital to conduct the royal water-pouring funeral ceremony at the Chalerm Phrakiat Hall, Wat Non Sawang, Mak Ya Subdistrict, Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province.