Buddhist Monks Receive New Ecclesiastical Ranks at Wat Saket Ceremony
On September 21, 2026, a ceremony at Wat Saket in Bangkok conferred ecclesiastical ranks upon eight senior monks, led by Somdet Phra Wachirawithayachan. Officials including former deputy prime ministers, a former prime minister, senators, and the Bangkok governor read royal proclamations announcing the new titles. The event featured processions, offerings, and chanting before concluding with communal reverence.
On Monday, September 21, 2026, the ubosot of Wat Saket in Bangkok's Pom Prap Sattru Phai district hosted a ceremony to confer ecclesiastical insignia and ranks. Somdet Phra Wachirawithayachan (Thongchai Sukkhayano), member of the Mahathera Sangha Council and ecclesiastical region 11 leader, led eight senior monks in paying respects to the sacred Bodhi tree before offering incense and candles. The procession then moved before a statue of the former Somdet Phra Phutthajarn (Kiao Upaseno), former chairman of the council tasked with performing the duties of the Supreme Patriarch and former abbot of Wat Saket.
Udomsorn Ek-iam, director of the National Office of Buddhism, presented the ecclesiastical insignia to Somdet Wachirawithayachan. Former Deputy Prime Minister Vishnu Keroongam read the royal proclamation granting the ranks of Phra Thep Wacharasenabodi and Phra Thep Wacharakitchaphon to Phra Rachaupsenaphon (Sangkum) and Phra Rachakitthaphon (Thoed), respectively. Former Prime Minister Settha Thavisin read the proclamation for Phra Thep Wacharamongkolwisit and Phra Thep Wacharakunbanat. Senate member Nipon Inna read the proclamations for Phra Raj Wacharajetiyaphon and Phra Raj Pannyawatratchachan. Former Auditor General Pisit Lilawachirophat read for Phra Wachavihaan and Phra Sut Wachawichit. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt read for Phra Wacharitthi Sopon, Phra Wacharitpattanawiset, and Phra Wacharitthakhun.
Afterwards, the procession of ecclesiastical insignia, royal documents, rank banners, and triple robes proceeded from the Bodhi lawn to the royal residence. Somdet Wachirawithayachan led the monks in offering incense and candles before the pedestal housing the relics of the former Supreme Patriarch, Nana Thot Mahathera, then proceeded to the sermon hall where they repeated the offering before a statue of Somdet Phra Phutthajarn (Upasena Mahathera). Finally, the monastic and lay communities presented offerings of reverence, concluding the ceremony.
