Upasika Khun Ranchuan Intharakamhaeng

Thailand

A reader, book lover, writer and critic, Upasika Khun Ranchuan Intharakamhaeng has instilled Thailand with a love of reading by helping to establish libraries, schools and literacy promotion programs, including a radio and television program in 1957 aimed at promoting literacy. For these efforts, she received the royal medal of Chatuta Chula Chom Klau (The Most Illustrious Order of the Thai Royal Grand Cross Breast Star) in 1969 and later the Tatiya Chula Chom Klau Medal.

Since 1981 she devoted herself to monastic life by training at Wat Nong Pa Pong in Ubon Ratchatani under Achan Cha Supatto and then at Suan Mokh in Surat Thani with Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. She taught Dhamma to Thais and international students, and has produced a Dhamma television program on TV 11 from 1987 until the present. Thus, she was awarded for eloquence in Thai language usage by the Thai Government Public Relations Office (Krom Prachasampan) and related organizations on National Thai Language Day in 2001.

Her Dhamma teachings promote peace and she emphasizes a life of true peace and happiness where freedom from suffering is our innate universal right. Bhikkhu Payutto awarded her for her excellence in this pursuit, with an award in honor of “The Promotion of Peace and Happiness in Thai Society.”

Upasika Khun Ranchuan Intharakamhaeng has authored more than 20 Dhamma books and received the Narathip Award as an Outstanding Senior Writer from the Writer's Association of Thailand. Now, at the age of 84, she lives a monastic life at Wat Nong Pai in Sakon Nakorn.