Respected Buddhist Monk Remembered on 96th Birth Anniversary
Phra Ratchasarsopon, a revered Buddhist monk who led Trang's sangha for a decade and established 52 community learning centers, is remembered on his 96th birth anniversary today in Southern Thailand.
Monday, July 6, 2026 commemorates the 96th birth anniversary of Phra Ratchasarsopon (Wisit Athipanyo), former provincial sangha leader of Trang from 1998-2008 and former abbot of Wat Chomtri in Na Yoong District, Trang. Born as Wisit Putthanavol on July 6, 1930, in Na Yoong Subdistrict, he completed primary education at age 13 before ordaining as a monk on July 17, 1943, at Wat Chomtri. He excelled in Buddhist studies, earning advanced religious credentials from 1947 onwards and becoming a Dharma teacher at various Buddhist schools.
Throughout his monastic career, he distinguished himself as a Buddhist educator and Dharma ambassador. He taught Pali and Dharma studies at Wat Kuhasworn School in Phatthalung Province and established a Dharma curriculum at Wat Chomtri in Trang from 1967. He served as the 9th Dharma Messenger for Trang from 1968, coordinating public religious outreach and delivering sermons through Thai radio and television stations.
As administrator, he held increasingly senior positions within the sangha hierarchy, becoming deputy district sangha leader in 1973, district sangha leader in 1979, and provincial sangha leader of Trang in 1983. He received multiple royal titles recognizing his contributions to Buddhist studies and monastic leadership. Beyond institutional roles, he established 52 community learning centers and coordinated Dharma missions to remote areas, personally training monks to teach ethics and morality in schools throughout Trang Province. He remained an active Dharma teacher and advisor until his retirement from the provincial sangha leadership in 1995.
