General
New Ecclesiastical Leader Appointed for Nakhon Sawan Province
Phra Tham Wachiraphon has been officially appointed as the new Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor of Nakhon Sawan.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand, a significant leadership change has occurred within the Thai Sangha. On July 26, 2026, Somdet Phra Maha Thirachan, the Abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon and a member of the Sangha Supreme Council, presided over the official ceremony to present the Supreme Patriarch’s mandate appointing Phra Tham Wachiraphon (Rid Ritwethi) as the new Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor of Nakhon Sawan.
Phra Tham Wachiraphon, currently 62 years old with 42 years in the monkhood, also serves as the Abbot of Wat Tak Fa, a royal monastery in Nakhon Sawan. He is widely recognized for his dedicated contributions to the development of Buddhist scripture education. Born in Tak province in 1964, he has spent his career focused on monastic administration and academic advancement within the clergy.
For residents and visitors in Nakhon Sawan, this appointment marks a transition in the highest religious authority of the province. As the Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor, Phra Tham Wachiraphon will oversee monastic affairs and religious activities across the region. While the appointment is official, further details regarding his specific administrative agenda or upcoming public appearances in his new capacity remain to be confirmed by the local ecclesiastical office.