Pope Francis has appointed Father Paul Trairong Multree as the new bishop of the Surat Thani Diocese in Thailand, following the resignation of Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil.
The announcement was made by the Vatican on July 8. Bishop Sridarunsil, the 78-year-old chairperson of the social communication office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, has reached the retirement age for bishops as stipulated by Canon Law.
Father Multree, born September 7, 1976, in Khon Kaen, Thailand, is the youngest among eight children. He served extensively in various capacities within the Church, most recently as the parish priest of Saint Mark and the superior of the Thai Missionary Society. He is also the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Educated in philosophy at the Lux Mundi Major Seminary in Samphran, Father Multree was ordained a priest on June 9, 2007, for the Ratchaburi Diocese.
His early pastoral assignments included roles as parish vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes in Kanchanaburi and Saint Michael the Archangel in Ratchaburi, along with several years of missionary work in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Father Multree’s educational journey continued in Italy, where he was awarded a licentiate in pastoral liturgy from the Institute of Pastoral Liturgy in Padua.
Upon returning to Thailand, he took on leadership roles, serving as the rector of the major seminary of the Thai Missionary Society in Samphran since 2019 and as the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 2020.
Serve rather than be served
The bishop-elect is known for his deep commitment to the Church’s mission and his pastoral care, greatly admired by his peers for his dedication and service.
“I can say with confidence that the people of the Diocese of Surat Thani are rejoicing that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed Fr. Paul Trairong Multree to be their new bishop,” said Chainarong Monthienvichienchai, one of the recipients of the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in Thailand.
“He is generally known as a very humble, polite, and kind person, willing to serve rather than be served,” he added.
After the announcement, Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsilp said that the priests, religious, and laypeople of Surat Thani Diocese assured Bishop-elect Paul Trairong of a very warm welcome.
“We promise you our prayers,” the retired prelate said. “We look forward to your leadership and shepherding in this diocese.”
The appointment comes at a time when the Surat Thani Diocese is looking toward new growth and revitalization.
Father Multree’s consecration as bishop is scheduled for the coming months, and it is expected that his leadership will continue to inspire and promote the values of the Church in Thailand.
Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells, Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, encouraged the Catholic faithful to pray for the bishop-elect and those under his pastoral care.
