90 ปี 40 ปี Wat Thai Washington, D.C.

to come and stay at the new residence. The
new monks will lead in merit-making and others
religious ceremonies on the first day of the
Buddhist’s Lent, which would also be a grand
opening day for the residence.
The First Group of Missionary Monk
Performed Buddhist Ceremonies
On July 4, 1974 which was U.S. Independence
Day and Asalha Puja Day, the first two
monks—Phra Kru Phibulbodhabiratana (Koon
Boontum) and Phra Palad Vorasakdi Dipangkaro
from Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit in
Bangkok—arrived and resided at the house at
705 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Three months later, in October 1974,
Phra Maha Kliang Tejawaro was invited from
the Thai temple in Los Angeles to assume the
duties of Phra Palad Vorasakdi Dipangkaro who
had returned to Thailand due to health issues.
The invitation was made possible by Phra Maha
Sobin Sopago, the chief of monks at Wat Thai
Los Angeles, who was contacted by Colonel
Vichian Buranasiri.
In January 1975, Phra Kru Phibulbodhabiratana
also returned to Thailand. On February 11,
1975, Phra Maha Surasak Chiwanantha of Wat
Vajiradhammasadhit in Bangkok arrived to assume
position of the Abbot following the invitation of
Phra Maha Sobin Sopako and Phra Maha Kliang.
Furthermore, he still holds this position today but
under the new title of Phra RajaMongkolrangsi.
After the monks have agreed to stay
permanently, the fundraising for the temple becomes
more effective. Laypeople in Washington, D.C.,
Maryland, Virginia as well as other states were
willing to donate funds to purchase the rented
house. In July 1976, the Wayne Avenue house
was purchased for US$52,500 by the Association.
However, within a few years, the need for
a larger building became apparent. The house
seemed too small for many religious ceremonies,
especially in winter times when people have to
gathering inside to perform ceremonies. Moreover,
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