Phra Thep Siddhakhom (29 November 1937 â 4 October 2021), lay name Sai Kankhum, dharma name KittipÃÂlo, was a revered Thai monk (geji ajahn), a royal monk of Thep rank specializing in vipassanàmeditation, abbot of Wat Tha Mai Daeng, and Provincial Chief Monk of Tak Province.
Phra Thep Siddhakhom, whose lay name was Sai Kankhum, was born on 29 November 1937 at house no. 70, Moo 3, Wang Hin sub-district, Mueang Tak district, Tak Province. He completed Prathom 4 (grade 4) at Wat Tha Mai Daeng School. Afterwards he worked as a civil servant until he grew weary of lay life and entered the monkhood on 28 April 1959 (B.E. 2502) at Wat Mani Banphot Worawihan, with Phra Wisutthi Samanajahn (Wat Mani Banphot) as his preceptor. He was given the monastic name KittipÃÂlo.
After ordination, he studied the Buddhist scriptures and passed the highest level of Nak Tham (Nak Tham Ek). He also studied sacred sciences (wittayakhom) and meditation under several renowned masters, including Luang Pu Mad (former abbot of Wat Tha Mai Daeng), Phra Kru Thammanukun (Phu Chandakesaro), and Luang Pu Pi.
In 1965 (B.E. 2508) he was appointed abbot of Wat Tha Mai Daeng. When the position of Provincial Chief Monk of Tak became vacant, he served as acting Provincial Chief Monk from 14 September 2009, and on 30 September 2010 the Supreme Sangha Council officially appointed him as the full Provincial Chief Monk of Tak Province.
Phra Thep Siddhakhom passed away from chronic illness on 22 October 2021 at Somdet Phra Chaotaksin Maharat Hospital, aged 83 years and with 62 rainy-season retreats (62 vassÃÂ).