Profile "Luang Pu Tzu Phanthamutto" The Water Deity, a monk and community developer, has passed away at age 83 with 51 years in monkhood.
On 23 August 2026, reporters noted that since early morning at Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomphon, Nong Bua Rawe District, Chaiyaphum Province, many disciples and Buddhists from several provinces, upon hearing of Luang Pu Tzu Phanthamutto’s passing, came to pay respects and honor his remains with deep reverence and gratitude.
Initially, the village headman of Hua Nong reported that at approximately 04:00, Luang Pu Tzu fell inside the restroom. Later, the supervising monks found him lying on the bed, having passed away. Police from Nong Bua Rawe station were notified and examined the scene inside the monk’s quarters.
Subsequently, doctors from Nong Bua Rawe Hospital and police officials conducted a postmortem at the scene to proceed with formalities. Currently, Nong Bua Rawe District is coordinating with the Chaiyaphum Provincial Cultural Office, disciples, and related agencies to plan and arrange appropriate memorial and religious rites.
Initially, Luang Pu Tzu’s remains will be enshrined at the temple’s pavilion for memorial services and to allow disciples and Buddhists to pay their respects. Details of the ceremonies and procedures will be officially announced after further discussions among involved parties and disciples.
Luang Pu Tzu Phanthamutto was a renowned meditation master and Vipassana teacher, disciple of Luang Pu Phang from Mancha Khiri District, Khon Kaen Province. He was abbot of Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomphon in Nong Bua Rawe District, Chaiyaphum Province. Known as the "Water Deity" and a monk devoted to community development, he was born on 17 June 1943 in Ban Kok Subdistrict, Chaturat District, Chaiyaphum Province, to Mr. Hor Sae Jung and Mrs. Pee Chaliewdee. He was ordained on 15 November 1975 at Wat Sri Kaeng Khro, Chaiyaphum Province.
Growing up in a poor family, he completed only grade 4 and once moved to Bangkok to work as a tailor to support himself. After ordination, he dedicated himself strictly to Vipassana meditation practice and forest wandering in search of peace.
In 1980, he resided at Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomphon, Nong Bua Rawe District, Chaiyaphum Province, covering about 200 rai. Located on route 225 from Chaiyaphum through Ban Khwao to Nakhon Sawan, while meditating, locals suffered water shortages for consumption and agriculture. He conceived developing the Lam Chiang Tha water source, which flows into the Chi River, to create a reservoir benefiting Nong Bua Rawe and nearby communities. He led monks, disciples, and villagers to build an earthen dam funded by small donations from devotees and government support, providing agricultural water for Ban Khwao, Nong Bua Rawe, and Mueang Chaiyaphum districts.
Since then, when villagers requested him to build reservoirs, he never refused, constructing small, medium, and large reservoirs. Remarkably, from 1980 to 2015, he led villagers to build over 30 reservoirs, transforming once drought-stricken land where rice could be grown once a year into areas able to support two crops annually. When he built two weirs, during the rainy season the weirs developed cracks severe enough that the district chief had to rehearse evacuations for residents downstream. He visited and stepped on the cracks three times, after which the weirs remained intact to this day.
Luang Pu Tzu shared a profound teaching: human life cannot exist without water. With water comes food, and with food comes life. Yet more important than drinking water are the waters of words and kindness. Living together peacefully requires kind words, and kindness itself is becoming increasingly rare. Thailand may face drought, but Thai people should not lack kindness.
His Majesty the King graciously invited Phra Kru Suwimon Phawanakhun (Luang Pu Tzu Phanthamutto) of Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomphon, Nong Bua Rawe District, Chaiyaphum Province, to perform monastic practices, meditate, and practice Vipassana at the Phra Ubosot of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram in the Grand Palace from 30 May to 2 June 2021. He also engaged in Dhamma discussions with His Majesty and Princess Sineenat Pilaskalayani at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall.
On 17 June 2021, His Majesty the King graciously bestowed offerings of holy water, lotus bouquets, and monastic robes during Luang Pu Tzu’s 78th birthday merit-making ceremony. Air Marshal Suphichai Suntornbura, Deputy Secretary of the Royal Household, presented the offerings at Wat Khao Ta Ngo, Nong Bua Rawe District, Chaiyaphum Province.
On 28 June 2021, His Majesty the King graciously granted the royal ecclesiastical title, fan of rank, and monastic robes to Phra Kru Suwimon Phawanakhun, or Luang Pu Tzu Phanthamutto, of Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomphon, Chaiyaphum Province, elevating him to Phra Rajapawana Wachirakhun, a royal ecclesiastical rank of the Vipassana tradition. The royal decree granted him this rank with authority over four subordinate monks: one Phra Kru Palat, one Phra Kru Sangha Rak, one Phra Kru Samuh, and one Phra Kru Baidika.
Luang Pu Tzu was a highly capable Vipassana meditation master, a fully realized and virtuous monk known for his exceptional teaching skills. He was a venerable teacher embodying the Brahmavihara virtues of loving-kindness and merit, a significant spiritual benefactor to Buddhism. As a forest and meditation monk, he was deeply respected and revered by disciples. Undoubtedly a monk of virtuous practice and a developer, he contributed greatly to public works such as roads and water reservoirs. At age 83 with 51 years ordained, he passed away at 04:25 on 23 August 2026.