Career
He was originally a Burmese citizen and later fled to Thailand and became one of Thailand"s most admired and revered persons. Luangpho Uttama was born in Mawkanin, Ye township in British Burma (now part of Tanintharyi Region in southern Myanmar). He fled to Thailand in 1948, avoiding abuse during the civil war in Burma.
He later lived in the area of Wengka, located near the Burmese-Thailand border, and settled in Thailand.
He founded Wat Wang Wiwekaram in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand and gave shelter to Mon refugees who fled from Burma. In 1997, he paid a formal visit to Myanmar, visited Yangon (Rangoon), and was honoured with the title of Agga Maha Pandita by Khin Nyunt, the then Burmese Prime Minister.
His prosperity integrated in Thailand reaching to the regards of the Royal Thai family. He was hospitalised by the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and was paid a tribute on his funeral by the then Premier of Thailand, General Surayud Chulanont.