Thai King Elevates Venerable Monk to Supreme Rank
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has elevated Phra Phrom Vachirweti, an 86-year-old senior monk, to the highest ecclesiastical rank of Somdet Phra Yana Vachirot in recognition of his scholarly achievements and decades of service to Buddhism.
On July 5, 2569, the Royal Gazette published a royal decree on the establishment of ecclesiastical rank, announcing that His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has graciously elevated Phra Phrom Vachirweti to the rank of Somdet Phra Racha Kana. The royal title conferred is Somdet Phra Yana Vachirot, with a full string of honorific titles reflecting his scholarly achievements and spiritual accomplishments. He resides at Pathumwanaram Royal Temple in Bangkok and is eligible for ten ranks of elevation.
Somdet Phra Yana Vachirot (formerly Amor Yano Tayo) is a distinguished elder monk known for his exemplary practice and dedicated service to Buddhism. Currently 86 years old with 64 Buddhist Lent seasons, he serves as chairman of the Maha Thera Council, advisor to the Thammayut Order's 10th Regional Assembly, and abbot of Pathumwanaram Temple in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok.
Born April 23, 1925, as Amor Malawarnn in Ban Namtaeng, Maha Chana Chai District, Yasothon Province, he came from a farming family. After completing fourth-grade primary education, he ordained as a novice at age 13. He pursued Buddhist studies with determination, earning higher degrees in Buddhist scriptures by 1955. In 1962, he took full ordination at Patumwanaram Temple in Bangkok under the guidance of Somdet Phra Ariyavongsakatyan.
He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University in 1972 and completed a master's degree in sociology from Banaras Hindu University in India in three years. He later taught at Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University and served as dean of the Faculty of Education.
In administrative roles, he became deputy abbot of Patumwanaram Temple in 1978, ordination preceptor in 1989, and abbot in 1992. In 2021, he was appointed advisor to the Thammayut Order's 10th Regional Assembly, and in 2025, he became a member of the Maha Thera Council.
He received successive ecclesiastical rank elevations: to Phra Racha Kana ordinary class in 1980, royal class in 1992, and divine class in 2000, with subsequent elevations continuing through his distinguished career in the Sangha.
