Phra Ratcha Sirichai Muni, Former Chai Nat Ecclesiastical Governor, Dies at 87
Senior monk Phra Ratcha Sirichai Muni, former provincial ecclesiastical governor of Chai Nat, has died at age 87. He passed away on October 21, 2026, after a long career in Buddhist administration and education. Wat Ban Mai Siriwatthanaram, where he served as abbot, announced his death and paid tribute to his contributions.
Phra Ratcha Sirichai Muni (ecclesiastical name Khuntharo, Pali grade 6), former provincial ecclesiastical governor of Chai Nat and former abbot of Wat Ban Mai Siriwatthanaram, died on October 21, 2026, at the age of 87. Born Thanon Khongthot on May 3, 1939, in Hankha district, Chai Nat, he was ordained at Wat Ban Mai on April 8, 1962. He pursued Buddhist studies, passing the highest level of Nak Tham in 1970 and earning a Bachelor of Buddhism with second-class honors from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in 2001. His administrative career included serving as deputy district ecclesiastical governor of Hankha (1973), district ecclesiastical governor of Hankha (1984), abbot of Wat Tha Krishana (1985), deputy provincial ecclesiastical governor of Chai Nat (1990), and provincial ecclesiastical governor of Chai Nat from 1999 to 2008. He was appointed abbot of Wat Ban Mai Siriwatthanaram in 2001 and served as the provincial meditation practice leader in 2002. He received successive royal ecclesiastical titles, culminating in the rank of Phra Ratchakhana Chan Rat in 2004.