Ayutthaya Commemorates 23rd Anniversary of Revered Abbot's Passing
Ayutthaya's Wat Rasom held a ceremony marking 23 years since the passing of Luang Pho Lamud Khun Thammo, the temple's former abbot credited with transforming the monastery through construction and monk education. Born in 1936, he ordained at 20, became abbot in 1963, and earned royal ecclesiastical titles before his death in 2003 after a long battle with cancer.
On Saturday, November 7, 2026 (BE 2569), a memorial ceremony marked the 23rd anniversary of the passing of Phra Khru Suthithammakhun, widely known as Luang Pho Lamud Khun Thammo, former abbot of Wat Rasom in Phachi District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. He was a dedicated practitioner and developer whose achievements are evident in the temple's prosperity, complete facilities that benefit visiting Buddhists, and the training of quality monks and novices to propagate Buddhism.
Born in 1936 (BE 2479) in Ayutthaya to the Phunphala family, his parents were Mr. Pun and Mrs. Phrom Phunphala, who were rice farmers. As a child in fourth grade, he helped with farming. Unlike other children, young Lamud was responsible, loved visiting temples to make merit and assist monks, and enjoyed playing traditional Thai instruments, especially the saw u and saw duang.
He was ordained at age 20 at Wat Rasom's ordination hall, with Phra Khru Chun of Wat Phachi as preceptor, Luang Pho Lam as chanting teacher, and Luang Pho Choey as announcing teacher, receiving the monastic name 'Khun Thammo'. After ordination, he studied Pali and passed the third, second, and first levels of Nak Tham exams in a short time. He then dedicated himself to teaching Dhamma to interested monks. After seven rains retreats, in 1963 (BE 2506) he was appointed abbot, succeeding the late Luang Pho Lam.
As abbot, Luang Pho Lamud began developing the temple by constructing the first ubosot with modest funds, relying on villagers' faithful donations. He subsequently built many other facilities. Most original wooden structures deteriorated over time and were continuously renovated. Villagers attribute Wat Rasom's prosperity to the abbot's physical and mental sacrifices.
On December 5, 1971 (BE 2514), he received the royal title Phra Khru Suthithammakhun. In 1972 (BE 2515), he was appointed Phachi Subdistrict Ecclesiastical Chief. In 1973 (BE 2516), he became a preceptor and on December 5 received the elevated title of Phra Khru Suthithammakhun (Subdistrict Chief, Second Class).
He always upheld the principle of practicing correctly, well, and straightforwardly. Notably skilled in construction, he led by example, using whatever resources he had for temple maintenance. He loved trees, sourcing and planting large shade trees, assigning monks and novices to care for them.
In later years, he battled throat cancer for a long time with strong determination until his final moments. Despite weight loss and inability to eat, he remained unperturbed and continued raising funds to build a mondop to enshrine a nearly 100-year-old replica Buddha footprint, though he did not live to see its completion.
On November 7, 2003 (BE 2546) at approximately 20:28, he passed away peacefully in his kuti at age 67, with 46 rains retreats, leaving his disciples and followers in deep sorrow. The name of Luang Pho Lamud remains etched in the hearts of his disciples and the people of the old capital to this day.
