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

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

1. Personal Life & Dates

• 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

2. Ordination & Early Monastic Journey

• 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 

3. Leadership & Influence

• 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)

4. Educational & Religious Contributions

• 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 

5. Spiritual Legacy & Writings

• 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

6. Passing & Commemoration

• 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

7. Legacy

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

  Explore more from Thai Amulets Collection: browse all amulets, monk biographies, or discover katha sacred chants.

  For broader context on Thai Buddhist traditions, see Thai amulets on Wikipedia.