Health
Passing of the 13th Annam Nikaya Chief Abbot
Phra Maha Khananam Tham Wachiranuwat, the 13th Chief Abbot of the Annam Nikaya sect, has passed away at the age of 99.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand, Phra Maha Khananam Tham Wachiranuwat (Narong Tinrian) passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 3:05 PM. He was 99 years old and had served 79 years in the monkhood. The passing occurred at Makarak Hospital in Tha Maka District, Kanchanaburi Province, due to complications related to old age.
Born Narong Lorpaiboon on May 30, 1928, in Kanchanaburi, he was a significant figure in the Annam Nikaya sect, having served as the 13th Chief Abbot and as the former abbot of Wat Samananamborihan (Yuan Saphan Khao) in the Dusit district of Bangkok. His death has been noted as a significant loss for the Annam Nikaya clergy, the broader Thai Buddhist community, and his many disciples.
For residents and visitors, this event marks the passing of a senior religious leader who played a key role in the administration of the Annam Nikaya sect in Thailand. While the funeral arrangements and official mourning protocols are expected to be managed by the temple and the sect, those planning to visit Wat Samananamborihan in Bangkok may wish to check for any potential changes to temple access or scheduled ceremonies during the mourning period. Further details regarding memorial services remain to be confirmed by the relevant religious authorities.
Translated from Thai.
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