Thai King Elevates Senior Buddhist Abbot to New Ecclesiastical Rank
The Thai King elevated respected Buddhist abbot Thongchai Sukkhaño to a senior ecclesiastical rank, effective July 12, 2026. Now 70 with 42 years of monastic service, he oversees Wat Saket temple in Bangkok and international Buddhist missio
On July 14, 2569 (2026), the Royal Gazette published a royal decree elevating Phra Brahmasiddhi to Somdej Phra Rajadhikana with the formal title Somdej Phra Vorachit Siddhacharya, stationed at Wat Saket Rajavoramahavihara, a royal temple in Bangkok. The elevation was effective July 12 and announced July 14.
The honoree, Thongchai Sukkhaño (born February 16, 2499 or 1956), is a trusted disciple of the late Somdej Phra Phutthajarn. He has been entrusted with responsibilities in administration, education, welfare, religious propagation, and public service. Now age 70 with 42 years of monastic service, he serves as committee member of the Mahatthera Samakhom, regional superintendent of Zone 11, and abbot of Wat Saket.
After completing primary education, he ordained at Wat KhaoWong in Saraburi province and passed all three levels of Buddhist studies. At age 20, he took full monastic vows at Wat Saket under the tutelage of Somdej Phra Phutthajarn. His monastic name, Sukkhaño, means "one who possesses knowledge with happiness."
After ordination, he was trusted as a personal secretary and made significant progress in his religious life while earning a Bachelor of Buddhist Studies from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. From 2531 onwards, he served as assistant abbot overseeing restoration projects, construction of facilities for returning monks, international Buddhist housing, and multi-purpose buildings for moral education.
From 2545, he served as advisor and director of the office overseeing Thai Buddhist missionaries abroad, responsible for European and Scandinavian operations and oversight of 17 Thai temples in foreign countries. He also led the presentation of royal robes to 9 Thai temples across 9 countries and coordinated publication of a two-language (Thai-English) Buddhist monastic code manual.
His ecclesiastical ranks progressed through multiple royal promotions: 2530 as Phra Kru (ecclesiastical rank), 2532 as assistant abbot, 2535 as ordinary Rajadhikana, 2544 as royal-rank Rajadhikana, 2547 as celestial-rank Rajadhikana, 2549 as dharma-rank Rajadhikana, and 2554 as deputy-rank Rajadhikana.
