Devotees mourn Phra Rajamongkol Wachirasan (Cha-um Katasaro), known as "Luang Pho Cha-um," former abbot of Wat Takian Luean in Nakhon Sawan province, who passed away peacefully at age 97 with 76 years in monkhood.
Earlier this morning on 22 July 2026, disciples of Luang Pho Cha-um posted on Facebook saying, "The great Bodhi shade of the disciples has passed away." They paid their respects and mourned Phra Rajamongkol Wachirasan, the venerable Luang Pu Cha-um Katasaro, former abbot of Wat Takian Luean and former advisor to the Takian Luean subdistrict monk council. They prayed for him to reach Nirvana on 22 July 2026.
Luang Pho Cha-um had been receiving treatment at Srisawan Hospital in Nakhon Sawan for a chronic illness, with multiple admissions over several months. His final hospitalization lasted more than 15 days before he passed away peacefully at the hospital on 22 July 2026 at about 6:00 a.m., aged 97 with 76 years in monkhood.
Phra Rajamongkol Wachirasan was born with the name Cha-um Sangdet on 29 April 1929, a Monday, the 6th waning day of the 5th lunar month in the year of the Snake. His father was Mr. Chon Sangdet and his mother Mrs. Noi Sangdet. He was born at house number 15, Village No. 2, Takian Luean subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Sawan district, Nakhon Sawan province. (He was 97 years old.)
He was ordained on 5 July 1949, a Tuesday, the 10th waxing day of the 8th lunar month in the year of the Ox, at the ordination hall of Wat Takian Luean. His preceptor was Phra Thep Khunaphon, who at that time held the title of Phra Kru Sanyabat. His upajjhaya (ordination teacher) was Phra Kru Nithan Phothiwat, who was then the abbot of Wat Photharam in Pak Nam Pho subdistrict and the district monk leader of Mueang Nakhon Sawan district.
He was promoted to the ecclesiastical rank of Phra Rajakhana Ratcha on 5 May 2022, receiving the royal title Phra Rajamongkol Wachirasan Suwithan Sasanawarakit Mahakhanissat Borwongsangharam Kamawasi.
Luang Pho Cha-um was one of the longest-serving monks in Pak Nam Pho. Devotees who admired him requested amulets in his image, which were produced occasionally and in limited quantities to avoid commercialization.
His name, considered auspicious—variants include “Cha-um,” “Cha-um,” or “Um”—is associated with strength. Many have experienced protection and safety through his amulets. Recently, during the incident involving the Royal Thai Navy ship Sukhothai, a naval officer from Takian Luean wore Luang Pho Cha-um’s amulet and was unharmed.
Phra Rajamongkol Wachirasan (Luang Pho Cha-um) was honored with the title "God of the Chao Phraya Headwaters." He was a famous monk, a direct disciple of Luang Pho Phu of Wat Takian Luean (contemporary with Luang Pho Derm of Wat Nong Pho). His amulets are renowned for protection and safety. At the time, he was 97 years old with 76 years in monkhood.