On 3 February 2026, at Wat Traimitr Wittayaram, Bangkok, Most Venerable Somdet Phramaharatchamongkolmuni, a committee member of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand and ecclesiastical chief of Central Region, presided over the nomination ceremony for senior monks in central region as follows; The Monastic Region 1 : 5 senior monks / The Monastic Region 2 : 7 senior monks / The Monastic Region 3 : 1 senior monk /
The Monastic Region 13 : 1 senior monks / The Monastic Region 15 : 4 senior monks.
“The ones who are nominated as “Advisor” have performed duty as assigned by their monastic supervisor and work for Buddhism with perseverance until their duty term ends or is still incomplete. They all have contributed significantly to the overall Buddhism for a long time. Their achievements were recognized by the monastic community and the public. Then they are revered highly and deserve the position of “Advisor” with duties to give proper opinions and advice to managerial monks. The nominated ones should be proud of themselves for the trust from managerial monks and were assigned to perform duty as “Advisor”. To manage the monastic assignments well, everyone should comply with the monastic discipline of the Buddha and the law & tradition of the country for the prevention of their violation in the future,“ Most Venerable Somdet Phramaharatchamongkolmun gave a speech to all attendees.
In this event, Venerable Phrakhrupaladrattanaveerawat, abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya under the monastic governance of Region 1, was nominated as “Advisor” to Ecclesiastical Chief of Pathum Thani province.
Venerable Phrakhrupaladrattanaveerawat with the former name before ordination : Rangsarit Chintamakul was born in Bangkok on 27 November 1955. He was graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Science (Agriculture-Education) from Kasetsart University and achieved Dhamma Studies for Advanced Level. He specialized in public facilities, fine arts, metal casting, materials science and botany. He first joined the temple as Upasaka who observed 8 precepts for 14 years before his ordination. He was taught and trusted by Master Nun Chand Konnokyoong, the founder of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Later he was ordained as Buddhist monk on 27 July 1988 with the monastic name “Itthijintako” and was nominated as assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya on 30 March 2007 before being promoted to abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya on 8 July 2017. At present, he is advisor to ecclesiastical chief of Region 1 and gives advice on foreign affairs. He also performs duty as a committee advisor of the Union of Thai Sanghas in Europe, an advisor of the Union of Thai Sanghas in East Asia and an advisor of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in Japan.
