Former Annamikaya Supreme Abbot Dies at 99

Phra Maha Khannamtham Wachiranuvathorn (Nakhon Tinliam), the 13th former Supreme Abbot of the Annamikaya order in Thailand and former abbot of Wat Samannamburihar in Dusit, Bangkok, passed away peacefully from old age on Saturday, July 11, 2569 at 3:05 PM at Makarak Hospital in Tha Maka district, Kanchanaburi province. He was 99 years old and had completed 79 Buddhist Lent seasons, leaving the Annamikaya monastic community, Thai sangha, and his disciples in deep mourning.

Originally named Nakhon Loiphibun, he was born on May 30, 1928, in Tha Ruea subdistrict, Tha Maka district, Kanchanaburi province, to parents Huan Hah and Klin Loiphibun. He was ordained on November 2, 1945, at Rohajahee Tua in Damnernsadwak district, Ratchaburi province, with Phra Ajahn Hophat as his preceptor.

On May 15, 1948, he received higher ordination at Wat Thavon Varaaram's Bhikkhu boundary in Kanchanaburi, receiving the monastic name Tinliam. Over his monastic career, he received multiple royal ecclesiastical ranks, culminating in the rank of Phra Maha Khannamtham Wachiranuvathorn on June 21, 2567.

He served as abbot of several temples and held key administrative positions within the Annamikaya order, including Deputy Left Clerk (2530), Right Clerk (2536), Left Assistant Supreme Abbot (2553), Deputy Supreme Abbot (2562), and finally Supreme Abbot of the Annamikaya order in Thailand (2565). He was also granted an honorary doctorate in Mahayana Studies from Mahachulalongkorn Rajabhat University in 2550 and received the Thamasakra Award for community welfare and development in 2551.

Phra Maha Khannamtham Wachiranuvathorn was a revered elder who made significant contributions to Buddhism and Thai society throughout his life. With the impermanence of all conditioned things, he has now passed away peacefully. The King has graciously granted royal blessing and presided over the funeral rites.