The History of Kasetsomboon Temple and Kasetsomboon Village

Romyen District in Thailand has 22 villages.  The population consists of different tribes, such as Mong Tribes, Yao Tribes, Thai-Isan, Thai-Lue, and Thai-North people.  The landscape is near hills.

Kasetsomboon Village is one of 22 villages in Tambon(District)  Romyen, located at Moo 15th Tambon Romyen, Amphur Chiangkham, Phayao Province, Zip code 56110, Thailand.  It was legally announced to be a Kasetsomboon Village in 1990.  The first leader was Mr.  Inswang Masuk.

Wat (Temple)  Kasetsomboon was built a year after the village was established.  The Village committee chose to build the temple in the Northern part of the village.  This project was totally funded by donation also, known as Phapa Samukkee.

In 2000, the temple was built by the volunteers of the village.  Since they couldn’t raise enough money to buy the manufacturing material and hardware, they used  natural resources found throughout the village such as bamboo tree, Ya-ka(a kind of grass used to cover the roof), Ruak tree and Bong tree, etc.

When the temple was built, people invited the former monk Kampun (already passed away) who was a native of Nan Province, and a novice to stay at this temple.  They both lived here for awhile and soon after left the temple.  After they left, there were no longer any monks who lived in the temple.

In order to keep the temple running, the villagers had to get their own children to train to become novices (sammanens).  The pioneers of this program were joined by Wootipong Homnan (known by Noyrong) and Songkran Masuk (known by Dan).  On May 16, 1993, the first ceremory was held by Phrakru Jatiyaruk.  Later on, Phra Somorn Akkrapunyo (Khemthong) from the Koom Village was sent to be in charge of the temple.  Ever since then more children are sent to practice as novices at the temple.

During the period of 1993 – 1996, Phra Somporn Addarapunyo raised enough funds to build houses (guti) for monks and a new chapel to replace the old one.  He left.after those projects were done.

In 1997, there were no monks who lived at the temple.  However, one of the villagers named Phra Chat Jangsawang wanted to become a monk.  He lived here for a year.

In 1998, Phra Adikarn Jare Kittiwanno, who moved from Wat Rongmai, knew that this temple was vacant.  He decided to stay at the temple and take charge of it.  He received lots of attention from the villagers and was able to raise funds to build another temple.  The new one was built during 1998-2005.  Now the temple is still in the process of Visoonggasima (register officially).

The temple is about 6 rai2 ngan.  Currently (2008) there are one monk and 5 novices.

People are living there with love and happiness.  They are ready to devote their time and energy to their religion.  The scenery of the temple has an excellent mountain view.  The place is very peaceful and serene.  It is an absolutely great place to practice meditation.