Culture
Renowned Monk Luang Pu Jue Passes Away at 83
Luang Pu Jue, a respected meditation master and former abbot of Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomporn, has died at the age of 83.
On August 23, 2026, the Buddhist community in Thailand mourned the passing of Phra Ratchapawana Wachirakhun, widely known as Luang Pu Jue Phanthamutto. According to reports from Khaosod Online, the 83-year-old monk passed away peacefully in his quarters at approximately 4:00 a.m. Local officials, including the village head of Ban Hua Nong, indicated that the monk suffered a fatal fall in his bathroom.
Luang Pu Jue was a highly regarded meditation master and the former abbot of Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomporn in Chaiyaphum province. He was also a former advisor to the Chaiyaphum Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor. Known for his disciplined practice and spiritual lineage tracing back to the famous Luang Pu Phang Chittakutto, he was a significant figure in the region's religious landscape. Born in 1943, he led a humble life before entering the monkhood in 1975.
For residents and travelers in Chaiyaphum, his passing marks the loss of a prominent spiritual leader. Visitors to the region may notice local mourning observances or changes in temple activities at Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomporn as the community pays its respects. While the cause of death has been attributed to an accidental fall, further details regarding funeral rites and the transition of leadership at the temple are expected to be announced by local ecclesiastical authorities in the coming days.