Ariyalok the Sixth – Remembering Phra Ratchasitthigosol, Former Provincial Abbot of Surin
Surin Province marks the 30th anniversary of the death of Phra Ratchasitthigosol, the former abbot of Wat Klang and provincial chief monk who founded educational institutions and promoted Buddhist scholarship throughout his career.
Saturday, May 23, 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of "Phra Ratchasitthigosol" or "Luang Pho Thep Nantho," the former abbot of Wat Klang in Muang District, Surin Province, and former provincial chief monk of Surin (Mahanikai order). He was a revered elder monk deeply respected by Surin residents. Though he passed away long ago, his legacy and contributions continue to benefit the community.
Originally named Thep Chanthraphetch, he was born on November 10, 1917, at house number 4/1, Village 6, in Muang District, Surin Province. His parents were Nai Ting and Nang Tan Chanthraphetch. In 1925, he completed junior secondary education from Surin Ratsadombamrung School in Surin. At age 21 in 1938, he was ordained at Wat Chumpol Sutthawat with Phra Khru Khun Ratsasil Khandh as his preceptor.
He voluntarily entered a monastic retreat to study the Dhamma and Vinaya, serving under Phra Phakgon Khanacharn (Luang Pho Duea Phakro), a respected abbot of Wat Klang Surin and former provincial chief monk of Surin's Mahanikai order. He demonstrated exceptional aptitude, quickly learning to read and write Pali scriptures and the Khmer language. In 1938, the provincial chief monk appointed him assistant abbot of Wat Klang Surin. In 1944, he passed the highest level Dhamma studies examination from Surin's provincial ordination center.
In 1957, he became district chief monk of Muang District. When Phra Phakgon Khanacharn passed away in 1963, he was appointed as abbot of Wat Klang Surin with a focus on educational development. In 1967, he became provincial chief monk of Surin. In 1974, he established an educational foundation for Pali studies to provide scholarships, robes, and textbooks to diligent students. In 1984, he founded the Pariyatti Dhamma Gosol Foundation to promote education and Buddhist practice, and obtained permission to establish a Buddhist University campus for bachelor's degree studies for monks and novices.
His guiding principle was to develop oneself first before developing others, using principles of lay conduct with compassion, humility, and approachability. He received successive ecclesiastical promotions: in 1954 as Phra Khru Sitthakar Gosol; in 1963 as Phra Khru Khanacharn; in 1968 as Phra Sitthakar Gosol at royal rank; and in 1980 as Phra Ratchasitthigosol at the highest royal rank.
He was a renowned preacher whom lay followers greatly revered. He regularly taught devotees at merit-making ceremonies, reminding people to be mindful and thoughtful, cautioning them not to let emotions override judgment, and encouraging them to think before acting.
In 1967, he permitted disciples to create sacred objects—7,000 Surin Phrom amulet bells and 7,000 Surin Phrom powder amulets (brown clay)—distributed as commemorations without commercial sale. In 1977, he authorized the temple to create commemorative medals for his 60th birthday to raise funds for the Wat Klang Surin Foundation. All sacred objects bear his spiritual qualities of compassion and blessing, and disciples treasure them as family heirlooms.
