Biography of Phra Phrom Wachiradilok, Abbot of Wat Pa Saeng Arun Royal Monastery

Biography of Phra Phrom Wachiradilok (Saman Sumetho), Abbot of Wat Pa Saeng Arun Royal Monastery in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.

On 21 May 2026, reporters reported that following the decision of the Sangha Supreme Council, the King graciously appointed Phra Phrom Wachiradilok (Saman Sumetho) as Abbot of Wat Pa Saeng Arun Royal Monastery in Khon Kaen Province, as previously reported.

Biography of Phra Phrom Wachiradilok (Saman Sumetho).

Phra Phrom Wachiradilok (Saman Sumetho), Abbot of Wat Pa Saeng Arun Royal Monastery in Khon Kaen Province, was originally named Saman Ubonpitak. He was born on 23 November 1945 in Phra Lap Subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen Province.

He was ordained as a novice monk on 18 July 1959 at Wat Si Chan, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen Province, with Phra Winai Sunthornmethee of Wat Si Chan as his preceptor.

He was fully ordained as a monk on 12 November 1965 at Wat Si Chan, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen Province, with Phra Phisan Sarakun (In Thirasavee, a Pali scripture scholar, level 5) of Wat Si Chan as his preceptor.

He completed education up to fourth grade in primary school, passed the highest level of the Dhammathat examinations, earned a special teacher certificate (P.), and obtained the ninth level of the Pali scripture exam.

Positions in administration.

• In 1965, he served as secretary to Phra Sunthorn Thamphaan (Singh Suntaro), Abbot of Wat Pa Chai Wan.
• In 1970, he became assistant abbot of Wat Pa Chai Wan.
• In 1978, he was appointed Abbot of Wat Pa Saeng Arun.
• In 1979, he became Deputy Provincial Ecclesiastical Chief of Khon Kaen (Thammayut).
• In 1986, he served as acting Provincial Ecclesiastical Chief of Khon Kaen (Thammayut).
• From 1987 to 1994, he was the Provincial Ecclesiastical Chief of Khon Kaen (Thammayut).
• In 1987, he was a subcommittee member of the Dhammayut Council for 12 consecutive terms.
• In 1989, he was appointed extraordinary preceptor by Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, who bestowed the official appointment at the temple.At Wat Pa Saeng Arun.Wat Pa Saeng Arun.
• In 1994, he became Deputy Ecclesiastical Chief of Region 9 (Thammayut).
• From 1998 to 2018, he served as Ecclesiastical Chief of Region 9 (Thammayut).
• In 1999, he was an advisor to the subcommittee of the Dhammayut Council.
• In 1999, he was a member of the Religious Education Committee of the Sangha Supreme Council.
• In 1999, he was director of the Mind Development Center in honor of the King at Wat Pa Saeng Arun.
• In 2004, he served on the executive committee of the “90th Birthday Anniversary of Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Suwattana Maha Thera” fund.
• In 2010, he became an honorary senior volunteer of the Brain Bank, the Wisdom Bank.
• In 2018, he was advisor to the Ecclesiastical Chief of Region 9 (Thammayut).