On Saturday, August 1, 2026, Wat Chulamani (วัดจุฬามณี), a temple in Bang Chang subdistrict, Amphawa district, Samut Songkhram province, held an "ayu wattana mongkol" (อายุวัฒนมงคล) birthday-blessing ceremony marking the 70th birthday of its abbot, Luang Phor Itthi (หลวงพ่ออิฏฐ์, formal title Phra Samut Wachirasobhon, born Somphoch Amonrattanabodee). The morning program opened with a blessing rite at 8:00 a.m., followed at 9:00 a.m. by an alms-offering of rice and dry provisions to 71 monks. Alongside the religious rites, the temple distributed student scholarships and rice to low-income residents in the surrounding community, with the combined donations valued at more than 1 million baht, or roughly USD 27,000.
The Monk Behind Thailand's Thao Wessuwan Revival
Luang Phor Itthi was born on August 1, 1956, ordained as a novice in 1971 at Wat Bang Kapom in Amphawa, and received full ordination in 1977 at Wat Chulamani under his preceptor, Luang Phor Nuang Kowitho. He went on to study under 19 respected teachers across Thailand, absorbing a range of protective rites and sacred formulas. He is best known for reviving and consecrating images of Thao Wessuwan (ท้าวเวสสุวรรณ), the giant guardian deity associated with wealth protection and the warding-off of malevolent spirits — a project he has said was inspired by a vision of the underworld. Amulets and statues he has consecrated over the past two decades helped turn a once-local temple devotion into one of the most widely worn protective figures in Thailand, and increasingly among overseas Thai amulet collectors as well. He currently also serves as an advisory elder to Sangha Region 15, and regional monastic leaders and local officials attended Saturday's ceremony alongside ordinary devotees.
Why This Matters to Amulet Collectors
For overseas collectors, the health and continued activity of a well-known consecrating monk directly affects confidence in the amulets and statues issued under his name over the years. A large, well-attended 70th birthday ceremony signals that Wat Chulamani's Thao Wessuwan lineage remains active, and collectors should watch for any commemorative pieces the temple may release to mark the occasion. As with any anniversary-linked release, buyers are advised to confirm authenticity through a recognized amulet society certificate rather than relying on claims of a "birthday edition" alone, since such milestones are sometimes used to market unauthenticated copies in the secondary market.
- Location: Wat Chulamani, Bang Chang, Amphawa, Samut Songkhram
- Time: 8:00–9:00 a.m., August 1, 2026
- Monks receiving alms: 71
- Donations: scholarships and rice worth over 1 million baht
Readers wanting to understand Thao Wessuwan's protective powers and wearing guidelines can read our Thao Wessuwan Amulet Guide: Thailand's Guardian of Wealth and Slayer of Spirits, or compare protective amulet options in our Best Thai Amulets for Protection: 2026 Buyer's Guide. For background on how contemporary monks relate to the classic monastic lineages, see The Nine Great Monks of Thailand: Amulet Lineage Masters Explained.
Source: 77 Kao Det