Luang Phor Sawat (Lp Sawat) Punnasilo Wat Mueang Suka, Chonburi

June 10, 2025

Biography of Luang Pho Sawat Punnasilo (Phra Khru Punnasilo)

Abbot of Wat Mueang Suka (also known as Wat Mongkhon Sawat), Ban Bueng District, Chonburi Province

Lay Name: Sawat Chalermpong
Birth: Friday, 18 March 1908 (B.E. 2451), at 04:07 AM
Place of Birth: Po Heng (Guangdong origin), immigrated to Bangkok at age 5
Death: 1 April 2003 (B.E. 2546), at age 95–96; passed away peacefully in a car in Lampang Province

Ordination: As a monk at age 25, on 20 December 1933 (B.E. 2476) at Wat Dok Mai, Phichai District, Uttaradit Province
- Preceptor: Luang Phor Klom
Training & Study:
- Lived as a novice under his preceptor for two vassas
- Began a prolonged Dhutanga (ascetic) wandering practice across Northern and Northeastern Thailand
- Continued spiritual study in Cambodia until around B.E. 2479
- Settled at Wat Kamphaeng (Chonburi) and studied Pali/Dhamma, achieving the Title of Parian 3 (Tri-Piyaka) in B.E. 2498

Positions Held:
- Early years as abbot of Wat Sak Nimit Witthaya, Ban Bueng
- Founder of Meditation Center “Mae Sukha” (Wat Mueang Suka) in B.E. 2528
- Transferred in 1987 (B.E. 2530) to abbot of Wat Bueng Bowon Satit and became the District Chief Monk of Ban Bueng (until 1999/B.E. 2542)

Advocated community development through monasteries and spiritual practice
Founded Pali and Dhamma Sunday schools, offered merit-making and meditation classes
Authored over 84,000 practice and Dhamma brochures for public distribution
Led annual Dhutanga pilgrimages with monks in Ban Bueng during the rainy season, and provided disaster relief across Thailand

Revered as an accomplished practitioner and forest-dwelling ascetic
Regarded as one of the most respected monks in Eastern Thailand
Known for consecrating powerful amulets and statues, including Phra Somdej, Phra Khun Paen, Takrut, and others sought for invulnerability, charm, and protection
Devotees attribute many “nang song” miracles to these sacred objects

Passed away calmly in April 2003 during travel, coinciding with a major merit-making ceremony at Wat Mueang Suka
Final rites included grand ceremonies such as “Mahayan Yanyakit” and the casting of large monk images to honor his spiritual legacy
His 10th death anniversary in 2013 was honored with a major festival (“Mahayan Yanyakit”) and public ceremonies at the temple

Luang Pho Sawat’s enduring contributions include:

Religious Education: Widespread Pali/Dhamma training for novices and laypeople
Spiritual Leadership: Establishment of meditation centers and training pilgrimages
Charitable Acts: Disaster relief and community support across Thai provinces
Sacred Objects: Creation of amulets and statues believed to offer potent spiritual protection and merit