Former General Phra Bunson Disrobes to Advise Army Chief
Former Army Region 2 commander Lt. Gen. Bunson Padklang, who ordained as Phra Bunson Chotipanyo, will disrobe in late November and assume duties as an advisor to the Army Chief on December 1. During his monastic period, he studied Buddhism, performed merit-making for fallen border soldiers, and undertook tudong practice. He plans to visit border troops and launch a nationwide lecture tour for youth, combining military experience with Buddhist teachings on patriotism, sacrifice, and drug prevention.
Nakhon Ratchasima — Phra Bunson, the former Army Region 2 commander known locally as "Mother of the Shrimp Army," Lt. Gen. Bunson Padklang, is preparing to disrobe in late November 2026 after his ordination and Buddhist studies at Wat Pa Sri Khunaram in Udon Thani. He will return to serve as an advisor to the Army Chief beginning December 1.
Throughout his time in the monkhood, Phra Bunson studied and practiced Dharma, shared teachings with relatives and followers, and benefited the temple and community. He also dedicated merit to soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending national sovereignty during the Thai-Cambodian border conflicts in the Yutthabodin and Satawats operations.
Another key activity in November was his participation in tudong (forest wandering) on the 8th, 18th, and 22nd, following the temple's schedule — a period for cultivating endurance, restraint of body, speech, and mind, and learning to live simply according to Buddhist principles. Tudong is not merely travel but training in patience, letting go of attachments, and reflecting on life's value through meditation, fostering inner peace and the desire to benefit others.
Before disrobing, Phra Bunson intends to pay respects to his revered teachers to express gratitude, and to continue Buddhist activities with Luang Pu Maha Sila Sirijanto (Phra Thepwachi Thammasopon), a respected meditation master of the Northeast. He also plans to visit troops along the lower eastern border, especially areas where he once commanded, to meet, encourage, and offer blessings to soldiers he once led — reflecting the enduring bond between commander and subordinates.
Upon returning to duty, another key mission will be delivering lectures to youth and the public nationwide. Phra Bunson will draw on his direct experience in security and border command, blending it with Buddhist Dharma to convey patriotism, sacrifice, unity, gratitude, and responsibility — while building resilience in youth to recognize, reject, and stay away from drugs.
These lectures are not just battlefield stories but life lessons from both worldly and spiritual experience, helping the new generation understand the value of duty, sacrifice for the common good, and living with discipline and virtue. Dharma is not confined to words but must manifest in action, aligned with the "Three Attha": Atthatttha (self-benefit), Parattha (benefit to others), and Ubhayattha (mutual benefit) — because a person's worth lies not in what they receive but in the knowledge, ability, and experience they use to benefit others and society, making virtue tangible through concrete action.
