Wat Saket Hosts Ceremony for New Ecclesiastical Ranks
Wat Saket in Bangkok recently held a formal ceremony to celebrate the elevation of senior monks and the conferment of new ecclesiastical titles.
On Monday, September 21, 2026, Wat Saket in the Pom Prap Sattru Phai district of Bangkok hosted a significant religious ceremony. The event marked the celebration of the 'Suphanabat' (golden name plate) and the formal presentation of ecclesiastical insignia to Somdet Phra Wachirasitthachan (Thongchai Sukhayano), a member of the Sangha Supreme Council and the Abbot of Wat Saket.
This ceremony followed a royal command from His Majesty the King, which granted new ecclesiastical ranks to several senior monks. Among those honored were Phra Ratchauppasenaphon, who was elevated to the rank of Phra Thep Watcharasenabodi, and Phra Ratchakitjaphon, who became Phra Thep Watcharakitjaphon, alongside several other monks receiving new titles ranging from 'Phra Ratch' to 'Phra' ranks.
For residents and visitors, this event highlights the ongoing importance of traditional Buddhist hierarchy and royal patronage in Thai society. Wat Saket, often known as the Golden Mount, remains a central site for such high-level religious observances. While the ceremony has concluded, those interested in Thai religious culture may note that such events reflect the deep integration of the monarchy and the Buddhist clergy. Further details regarding the specific duties associated with these new appointments are typically managed by the National Office of Buddhism.
