The great forest meditation master Luang Pu Suthamm Thammapalo, disciple of Luang Pu Mun Phurithatto, passed away peacefully at the age of 100 years, 7 months, and 78 years in monkhood.
On 28 January 2026, the Buddhist community across the country mourned the passing of Phra Rajmongkol Wachiramuni (Luang Pu Suthamm Thammapalo), a great forest meditation master of Wat Thep Kanya Ram, Hang Hong Subdistrict, Mueang District, Sakon Nakhon Province. He peacefully passed away at 05:40 a.m. at Wanorn Niwat Hospital in Wanorn Niwat District, Sakon Nakhon Province, at the age of 100 years, 7 months, and 78 years in monkhood.
Close disciples revealed that during his final rains retreat, Luang Pu Suthamm stayed at Wat Kalyanathammo in Na So Subdistrict, Wanorn Niwat District, Sakon Nakhon Province, which belongs to Luang Ta Taeng On Kalyanathammo, a fellow disciple from Luang Pu Mun's lineage. Later, Luang Pu fell ill and his condition deteriorated with age, leading to his admission to Wanorn Niwat Hospital where he remained under care until he passed away peacefully in the early morning of 28 January 2026. Initially, disciples agreed to bring his remains back to Wat Thep Kanya Ram for funeral rites. Further arrangements are pending additional meetings.
Luang Pu Suthamm was a highly respected and influential senior monk who contributed greatly to Buddhism and was widely revered by disciples. He was the last disciple of Luang Pu Mun Phurithatto, founder of the forest meditation tradition, and an important elder who preserved the strict practices of the forest monastery lineage into the present day.
Luang Pu Suthamm was ordained and spent his first rains retreat at Wat Nong Than Nuea before having the opportunity to study Dhamma under Luang Pu Mun Phurithatto, encouraged by Phra Maha Thongsuk Sujitto. He traveled from Saraburi to the Northeast, residing and studying in several monasteries such as Wat Pa Non Niwet, Wat Pa Sutthawas, and Wat Pa Nong Phue, which were centers for Luang Pu Mun's meditation lineage at that time.
During his Dhamma studies, Luang Pu Suthamm practiced alongside many key meditation masters including Luang Ta Maha Bua Yannasampanno, Phra Ajarn Wan Uttamo, Luang Pu Khamphong Tisso, and Luang Ta Taeng On Kalyanathammo. After Luang Pu Mun's passing, he assisted with the funeral before traveling on pilgrimage and spending rains retreats at various locations until settling permanently at Wat Thep Kanya Ram in 1953, where he lived for the rest of his monastic life.
Luang Pu Suthamm was esteemed as a true forest meditation monk, strict in his monastic rules, diligent in meditation, walking meditation, and living simply and austerely. He was detached from material offerings and honors. He did not support making amulets or spreading images of himself, focusing disciples on adhering to the Dhamma and practicing for liberation from suffering.
One notable event in Luang Pu Suthamm's history was the April 1980 plane crash that killed five prominent forest meditation masters: Phra Ajarn Wan Uttamo, Phra Ajarn Bunma Thitpemo, Phra Ajarn Juan Kulshettho, Phra Ajarn Singthong Thammavaro, and Phra Ajarn Supat Sukkamo. They had been invited from Bangkok to gather in Udon Thani Province to board a plane for religious activities, departing on 27 April 1980.
As the plane entered Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province, about 20 kilometers from its destination, it began descending to land. However, it encountered a tornado combined with heavy rain, causing the plane to lose control and crash in a rice field in Khlong Luang District, resulting in the deaths of the five monks and many other passengers.
Luang Pu Suthamm was among the monks invited on that trip. A military vehicle came to pick him up at Ban That in Sakon Nakhon Province but was unable to find the way to Wat Thep Kanya Ram. After circling several times and failing to reach the temple, the vehicle returned without collecting him as scheduled.
Having donned his robe and prepared for the journey, Luang Pu Suthamm said to his disciples, "Our merit is insufficient; thus, we will not have the chance to board the plane to Bangkok." Soon after, news of the plane crash emerged, deeply shocking Buddhists nationwide. This incident is regarded as a sign of merit that spared Luang Pu Suthamm from the historic disaster.
The passing of Phra Rajmongkol Wachiramuni (Luang Pu Suthamm Thammapalo) marks a significant loss for the Thai forest meditation tradition, leaving behind his noble virtues, exemplary conduct, and teachings that continue to guide disciples and Buddhists everywhere.