The history of the Discalced Carmelite friars in Thailand spans almost a century. The first known Thai vocation dates to around 1940, when Fra. Theodore Marie de Jesu, from the Assumption Cathedral Parish in Bang Rak, entered the Discalced Carmelite Order in France. At that time, there was no Carmelite friars' presence in Southeast Asia. Sadly, he died only a few years after his First Profession, and his mortal remains remain buried next to the tomb of the Servant of God, Père Jacques de Jésus, in the Couvent des Carmes d'Avon, in France.

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It would be many decades before another Thai entered the Order. With the establishment of the Carmelite formation house in Singapore, Fra. Joseph Marie Somkrit Supatimasro, OCD, and Fra. Sebastian Charoen became the first two Thai candidates in the year 2000. During these pioneering years, formation took place primarily in Singapore and later at the Teresianum in Rome. Although several Thai candidates entered during this period, not all persevered.

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By 2010, three Thai friars had made their Solemn Profession: Fr. Joseph Marie Somkrit Supatimasro, OCD, Fr. John Bosco Pricha Yangyuen, OCD, and Fr. Paul Anuphong Srisuk, OCD. Recognising the growing presence of Thai vocations, the General Delegation of Taiwan - Singapore, under the leadership of Fr. Thomas Lim, OCD, resolved to establish a Carmelite community in Thailand. The three Thai friars returned from Singapore and Spain to pioneer the new foundation.

 

The St. Raphael Kalinowski Community was canonically erected on 1 January 2011. The first priory was a rented benefactors' house beside St. Peter Parish, Sam Phran, affectionately known as the Lanna House because of its distinctive northern Thai wooden architecture. As the community continued to grow, a permanent priory was constructed on land belonging to the Archdiocese of Bangkok, directly opposite the Carmelite Monastery in Sam Phran. Construction commenced in 2014, and the new priory was solemnly blessed and inaugurated on 21 November 2015 by His Eminence Michael Michai Cardinal Kitbunchu, Archbishop Emeritus of Bangkok. The new priory also commemorated the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa of Jesus.

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As of 2026, the community continues the mission of the Teresian Carmel through contemplative prayer, pastoral ministry, and the promotion of Carmelite spirituality in Thailand.

 

Address: 12/145 Area 4, St. Peter 5 Alley, Wat Roman Street, Thakham, Sam Phran, Nakorn Pathom 73110, Thailand

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For vocation enquiries, please email: ocdsampran.th@gmail.com