Birth
25 March 1989
Born at Ban Na Daeng, Na Noi District, Nan Province.
Kruba Noi Yanwichai — affectionately called “the Little Saint” — was a monk of Na Noi in Nan Province who opened a neglected cave site and built it into Wat Tham Chetawan. He was a disciple of Kruba Boonchum Yanasamvaro, the revered northern master known as the “monk of three nations” for his cave retreats in Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.
He kept a strict practice — a single vegetarian meal a day, wandering (thudong), and long solitude in the forests and hills. Though he lived only 34 years, his example endures in the temple he shaped.
Novice ordination
25 March 2002
Ordained as a novice at Wat Na Daeng.
Full ordination
13 December 2009
Ordained as a monk at Wat Santha, given the name Yanwichai.
Building the temple
around 2012–2013
Opened the cave site and raised the first buildings.
The cave retreat
2014–2017
Three years, three months and three days in Tham Chetawan cave.
Passing
31 August 2023
Passed away of heart failure, aged 34.
From 2014 to 2017 Kruba Noi kept a solitary retreat inside Tham Chetawan cave — exactly three years, three months and three days — following the example of his teacher Kruba Boonchum.
The cave where he practised remains within the temple and has been made accessible, so that visitors can go down to pay their respects.
The happy person is not one who has everything, but one who is happy with everything they have.
See everything as it is — not as we wish it to be.
Even if no one in all the world were left for us to lean on, we still have ourselves — the best refuge we can ever have.
On 31 August 2023 Kruba Noi passed away peacefully of heart failure, aged 34, and was cremated the same day at Wat Tham Chetawan, exactly as he had asked. He had foretold his death and left clear instructions.
His last wishes
- No bathing of the body, and no change of robes.
- No autopsy and no embalming.
- Cremation within a single day.
- No fundraising or almsgiving appeals.
- His image never to be used for profit.
- The temple’s property to remain with the temple.
His Teachings
A manuscript from his years of practice is being prepared as a reading edition — coming soon.