Luang Pu Maha Sila Sirichantho (หลวงปู่ศิลา สิริจันโท) is a senior monk of Kalasin province in northeast Thailand, born on 14 October 1945, and one of the most sought-after living masters in Thai amulet circles today. He was abbot of Wat Phra That Muen Hin in Khao Wong district until 2026, when he stepped down for health reasons; he now lives at Wat Suan Tham Piti and remains patron of both temples. His amulets lean towards charm, wealth and protection, and because his name sells, fakes and scams using it have multiplied. This guide covers his life, his best-known amulets and how to buy one safely.
Who is Luang Pu Maha Sila?
According to a 2026 profile in Thairath, he was born Sila Nilchan (ศิลา นิลจันทร์) in Ban Boet, Rattanaburi district, Surin, the fourth child of a rice-farming family. He became a novice as a boy at Wat That Prathap, later left robes to teach at the temple school, and returned to monastic life as an adult; Thai media accounts differ on the exact years and temples of his later ordinations. The title "Maha" in his name marks his Pali studies, and in his time at the temples of Roi Et he also studied Tham and Khom scripts, astrology and herbal medicine from palm-leaf manuscripts.
He became chief monk of Wat Phra That Muen Hin in 2022 and abbot in 2023. His royal title is Phra Thep Watcharathammasophon (formerly Phra Ratchawatcharathammasophon). A 2024 academic article in the Panya Likhit Journal attributes his following less to miracles than to his charity: projects he has funded, from hospital equipment to schools and monks' quarters, are reported to exceed 100 million baht.
Key facts
- Thai name: หลวงปู่ศิลา สิริจันโท (birth name ศิลา นิลจันทร์)
- Born: 14 October 1945, Rattanaburi, Surin
- Temples: Wat Phra That Muen Hin, Khao Wong, Kalasin (abbot 2023–2026); now resident at Wat Suan Tham Piti
- Royal title: Phra Thep Watcharathammasophon
- Known for: charity, takrut, charm and wealth amulets, frequent consecration ceremonies
His best-known amulets
Thai devotees wear his amulets for charm, business and protection. These are beliefs; an amulet guarantees no outcome.
One monk, several registered temples
Collectors are sometimes confused when two genuine Luang Pu Sila pieces carry different temples on their Samakom Phra certificates. That is normal: the certificate records the temple that issued the batch. Of our three pieces, the Khun Paen is registered to Wat Phra That Muen Hin, while both 2021 coins are registered to Wat Pho Si Sa-at (วัดโพธิ์ศรีสะอาด), Kalasin. Judge each piece by its own card, not by a temple name you expected. How to read a card is explained in our Samakom Phra certificate guide.
Avoiding fakes and scams in his name
In October 2026 Thai cyber police arrested three people who had spent about three years selling over 363,000 "scratch cards" with his photo, falsely claimed to be blessed by him for lottery numbers; money flows exceeded 30 million baht (our report). The case is still at the investigation stage, but the lesson for buyers is clear:
- "Blessed by Luang Pu Sila" is not evidence. Ask which batch, which temple issued it and when.
- Prefer a third-party certificate. A Samakom Phra card with a QR code names the batch, material, year and temple.
- Be wary of social-media sellers offering cheap "new" pieces in volume, especially takrut.
- Charity batches publish their details. Quantity, purpose and ceremony dates are usually announced by the temple; check them.
FAQ
Q: Is Luang Pu Sila the same person as Luang Pu Maha Sila?
A: Yes. "Maha" refers to his Pali studies; Thai media use both forms, as well as his royal title.
Q: Is he still making amulets after stepping down as abbot?
A: He remains patron of Wat Phra That Muen Hin and Wat Suan Tham Piti and continues to preside over ceremonies, as his 2026 appearances show (Udon Thani eye-opening ceremony).
Q: Are his amulets old enough to be collectible?
A: Most are recent. Their appeal is a living, well-documented master rather than age; that also makes certificates and batch records easier to check.
Q: Which of his amulets suits business?
A: The Yi Ko Hong coins and Khun Paen pieces are the usual choices; the Khun Paen leans to charm, the Yi Ko Hong to wealth.
Last updated: 2026-10-31 | By the Merit Messenger team, based in Bangkok
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