Biography of LP Prom Wat Paranupat (Wat Phlanuwat)
In a quiet village in Pattani Province, on Monday, April 1st, 1918, a boy named Phrom Ratchabutr was born. The youngest of seven children, he grew up helping his parents farm the land at Ban Huai Ngo, living the simple, hardworking life that shaped his character.
From an early age, Phrom was drawn to learning. He completed his basic education at Wat Thung Pla School, finishing Prathom 4, which in those days was already a significant achievement. The government offered him a teaching job with a small salary — just 4 baht a month — but his parents, valuing a different path, did not allow it.
At 20 years old, following tradition, he ordained for the first time at Wat Thung Pla, stepping into the robes of a monk. Yet life had other plans. With the outbreak of World War II, Phrom was forced to disrobe and was conscripted, along with many young men, to work on the railroads.
Fate tested him further — he and two friends escaped the conscription train at Lang Suan Station, hiding with the help of a kind railway officer, and eventually found their way back to their hometown.
For years, Phrom lived the life of a farmer, later leading his family to settle in Ban La Lae in Yala Province. There, through his wisdom and leadership, he became the village headman — a respected figure among both Thai Buddhists and Muslims. His years as a layperson were spent building community, nurturing land, and helping his neighbors grow both crops and hope.
But deep down, his heart still leaned toward the Dhamma.
At the age of 69, Phrom made a life-changing decision.
He re-ordained on December 5th, 1987, at Wat Thung Pla — now renamed Wat Phlanuwat. This second ordination marked his return, not just to monastic life, but to a deeper, lifelong spiritual journey.
After ordination, he sought solitude, spending five long years meditating alone in a forest cemetery at Ban Huai Ngo. Living among the silence of death, he strengthened his mind and spirit, until he eventually returned to reside at Wat Phlanuwat.
In 1995, after the passing of his senior, Phor Than Khim, Phor Than Phrom was appointed the 5th abbot of Wat Phlanuwat. Under his leadership, the temple flourished quietly, rooted in simplicity, compassion, and deep spiritual discipline.
Over the years, Phor Than Phrom gained quiet but widespread respect.
He was known for deep meditation (jhana), advanced herbal medicine knowledge, and powerful wicha.
His specialty, the ancient Phet Glap Wicha, allowed him to reverse bad fortune into good, by chanting the sacred Itipiso both forward and backward — a practice even other revered monks praised.
He lived simply, often seen sweeping temple grounds and cleaning, embodying humility despite his growing reputation.
It wasn’t until 2009 that Phor Than Phrom began allowing his students to create sacred amulets under his name — and from there, his fame slowly spread, especially among those who understood the quiet power of his cultivation.
Even as he aged, he remained strong.
At the age of 100, he returned once more to Wat Huai Ngo, where he would spend his final months in peace.
On Sunday, June 2, 2019, at exactly 1:00 AM, Phor Than Phrom passed away, at the venerable age of 101 years old, having completed 32 rainy seasons (vassas) as a monk.
In recognition of his lifetime of merit, His Majesty King Rama X granted a royal cremation ceremony, held with full honors at Wat Aranyawasikaram (Wat Huai Ngo) on Sunday, June 9, 2019.
