The 20th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand

12 February B.E.2560 (2017)
H.M. King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has appointed Somdej Phra Maha Munivongse, Abbot of Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram Temple in Bangkok, to be the 20th Supreme Patriarch of The Royal Kingdom of Thailand with the title of His Holiness Somdej Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan (Amporn Ampharo). 

His Holiness Somdej Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan is the present Prelate of Dhammayuttika Nikaya, a Member of Supreme Sangha Council, Chairman of the Council of Mahamakut Buddhist University, and Chief of Dhmmaduta of Thailand.  H.H. became a novice at the age of 10 in Ratchaburi Province and later ordained as a monk in B.E. 2491 (1948) at Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram which H.H. Somdej Phra Ariyavangsagatayana (Vas Vassano), the 18th Supreme Patriarch was the preceptor.  After H.H. had finished the Pali Scholar, H.H. had furthered his studying at Mahamakut Buddhist University in Thailand and was graduated with Bachelor Degree in religious studies and Master Degree in history and archaeology from Banaras Hindu University in India.  In addition, H.H. had received an Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Buddhist Study from Mahamakut Buddhist University and in Buddhist Communication from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University respectively.  To date he has spent 80 years in monasteries.

H.H. always conducts his life in a contentment way and practices Dhamma at temples in the remote area.  H.H. frequently dedicates money derived from donations for building schools in order to cultivate education and to various dharmic foundations in order to propagate Buddhism. H.H. was chief of Dhammaduta to Sydney, Australia which was requested by Buddhist Association of New South Wales and since then Buddhism has been disseminated to other major cities such as Canberra, Melbourne and Darwin, etc. 

Being the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, H.H. is the patron of the WFB according to the WFB Constitution.  H.H. has always grants his kindness towards President of the WFB, H.E. Phan Wannamethee, and the WFB on various activities and missions.

The investiture ceremony will be held at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok on Sunday 12 February B.E.2560 (2017).