From IT boss to temple cleaner. German retiree Clemens Kraut, 67, rides to Wat Ratchaburana to sweep and scrub without pay. After touring almost every Thai province, he wants his ashes left at the shrine. The abbot has rewarded him with a new amulet.
A German pensioner, 67, has made a startling final request. He wants his ashes kept at a Buddhist temple in Phitsanulok where he works for free. Former IT manager Clemens Kraut has spent six months sweeping courtyards, scrubbing Buddha shrines and tending gardens at Wat Ratchaburana. After touring almost every Thai province by motorcycle, he has found his spiritual home. Each morning, he returns to clean and seek blessings from acting abbot Luang Pho Samli. On Tuesday, November 3, the monk rewarded his devotion with a prized Buddhist amulet and a holy water blessing. However, his request for a final resting place remains unconfirmed.
A 67-year-old German pensioner has made an extraordinary request at a Buddhist temple in Phitsanulok. Former IT systems manager Clemens Kraut wants his ashes kept at Wat Ratchaburana after his death.
For over six months, he has worked there voluntarily, sweeping courtyards, scrubbing shrine floors and tending plants. Each morning, he arrives by motorcycle, pays respects to the acting abbot and starts cleaning.
His dedication has caught the attention of the monks. On Tuesday, November 3, the acting abbot praised his commitment and presented him with a prized Buddhist amulet.
German pensioner swaps IT career for motorcycle journeys and daily cleaning duties at Phitsanulok temple
The German’s unusual retirement routine came to light when Thai reporters visited Wat Ratchaburana in Mueang district. They found Mr Kraut carrying out his regular duties at the royal Buddhist temple.
Previously, he worked as an IT systems manager for a well-known international company. Following retirement, however, he swapped his former professional routine for extensive motorcycle journeys around Thailand.
Since then, the 67-year-old has travelled through almost every Thai province. His journeys have taken him to numerous Buddhist temples and natural attractions. Along the way, he developed an interest in Thai religious customs, sacred objects and traditional ceremonies.
Yet one temple in Phitsanulok has become particularly important. Whenever he returns to the province, he visits Wat Ratchaburana and helps maintain its buildings and grounds.
His mornings follow an established routine. First, Mr Kraut rides his motorcycle to the temple and approaches its acting abbot. The monk is Phra Khru Sitthitham Wiphach, widely known as Luang Pho Samli. After paying respects and seeking a blessing, the German collects his cleaning equipment. He then begins sweeping courtyards, mopping floors and cleaning religious buildings.
German volunteer cleans two Buddha shrines without payment after arriving at temple each morning
The work includes two important religious sites within the complex. At the chapel housing Luang Pho Thong Khao, the White Buddha, he sweeps the surrounding area and mops floors. Next, he cleans the upper floor of the shrine containing Luang Pho Thong Dam, or Black Buddha. Once these tasks are finished, he waters plants around the temple grounds.
There is no salary, employment contract or reported financial reward. Instead, Mr Kraut volunteers his time and undertakes the cleaning himself.
The duties are repetitive, involving ordinary brooms, mops and other basic equipment. Nevertheless, he has maintained the routine for more than six months. His regular appearances have consequently attracted the attention of the resident monks.
The German told reporters he has developed a strong affection for Thailand. In particular, he enjoys exploring Buddhist temples and natural attractions by motorcycle. His travels have taken him through almost every province. However, Wat Ratchaburana has become more than another destination on his journeys. It is where he repeatedly returns to worship, seek blessings and undertake practical maintenance work.
German retiree collects Buddhist amulets and joins blessing ceremonies while volunteering at temple
His interest in Thai religious traditions extends beyond temple cleaning. During his travels, he has collected numerous Buddhist amulets associated with respected monks. He frequently wears several around his neck. Separately, he has expressed admiration for traditional Thai sacred tattoos, known as sak yant. He also participates in Buddhist ceremonies when visiting temples.
On an earlier visit to Wat Ratchaburana, Mr Kraut underwent a traditional hand-blessing ceremony known as Na Ma Mon. The ritual is associated with prayers for good fortune and protection. He received the blessing during one of his visits to Luang Pho Samli. Subsequently, he continued returning to the temple and helping maintain its religious buildings.
The pensioner explained that cleaning the temple makes him feel comfortable and happy. Moreover, he finds satisfaction in making merit through practical work. His activities include maintaining areas used by monks, worshippers and other visitors. Rather than limiting himself to religious ceremonies, he spends his mornings sweeping, mopping and watering plants.
The commitment has lasted more than half a year. Throughout that period, Mr Kraut has continued cleaning without reported compensation. His duties cover the courtyard, White Buddha chapel and upper floor of the Black Buddha shrine. Afterwards, he tends the plants surrounding the complex. The routine has become a regular feature of his visits to Phitsanulok.
German pensioner asks Phitsanulok temple to keep his ashes after death as abbot confirms his wishes
Luang Pho Samli confirmed that the German had been helping at the temple for many months. According to the acting abbot, Mr Kraut regularly visits to make merit and clean the grounds. Their conversations are limited by language difficulties. Even so, the monk said they understand each other sufficiently to discuss his wishes.
Those discussions have gone well beyond cleaning duties. Notably, Mr Kraut has expressed a desire to become a disciple of Wat Ratchaburana. He has also raised the question of what should happen to his remains after his death. The German wants his cremated ashes kept at the royal temple.
The request was made directly to Luang Pho Samli. Mr Kraut explained that he feels strongly attached to Wat Ratchaburana. He enjoys worshipping there, making merit and helping maintain its religious buildings. Above all, he said these activities bring him peace of mind. He therefore wants his ashes to remain at the temple after his death.
The acting abbot confirmed the request when speaking with reporters. However, no formal arrangements concerning the German’s cremated remains were disclosed. The reports did not establish whether the temple had approved his wishes. Equally, there was no confirmation of any administrative process concerning the eventual placement of his ashes.
Temple abbot praises German volunteer as questions remain over plans to keep his ashes after death
For the time being, the request remains an expressed wish rather than a confirmed arrangement. Mr Kraut has nevertheless made his preference clear. After travelling through almost every Thai province, he wants his remains kept at Wat Ratchaburana. The temple has become the focus of his voluntary work and regular religious activities.
Luang Pho Samli praised the pensioner’s consistent dedication. He particularly highlighted his willingness to undertake ordinary cleaning duties without seeking payment.
Furthermore, the monk compared his charitable efforts with those of Thai worshippers who regularly support Buddhist temples. He said the German’s commitment was comparable to that of Thai people themselves.
The acting abbot also recognised the practical benefits of Mr Kraut’s work. Cleaning the courtyards, shrines and surrounding grounds contributes directly to the temple’s upkeep. At the same time, the German participates in religious ceremonies and seeks blessings. His activities combine physical maintenance work with regular Buddhist observances.
Communication between the two men remains limited. Nonetheless, their repeated meetings have established an understanding. Mr Kraut visits the monk before beginning his duties and pays respects again before leaving. Through these encounters, Luang Pho Samli has learned about his religious interests and wishes concerning his remains.
Phitsanulok abbot rewards German pensioner with prized Buddhist amulet after months of unpaid work
During the visit reported on Tuesday, November 3, Mr Kraut again carried out his cleaning duties. Before departing, he approached the acting abbot for another blessing. Luang Pho Samli sprinkled him with holy water in accordance with Buddhist custom. This time, however, the ceremony included a special presentation.
The monk gave Mr Kraut a Phra Nang Phaya Buddhist amulet. The religious object is closely associated with Phitsanulok and holds considerable importance in Thai Buddhist tradition. Indeed, Phra Nang Phaya is regarded as one of Thailand’s five most prestigious types of Buddhist amulets. It is also widely known as the queen of Thai Buddhist amulets.
Luang Pho Samli presented the amulet as a keepsake and symbol of good fortune. Mr Kraut was visibly delighted with the gift. In turn, the presentation added another religious object to his collection gathered during motorcycle journeys across Thailand. He received it to wear around his neck alongside his other amulets.
The gift also marked the monk’s recognition of his sustained voluntary work. For over six months, the pensioner has cleaned religious buildings and maintained the temple grounds.
In parallel, he has continued attending ceremonies and receiving blessings from Luang Pho Samli. The latest presentation followed another morning of sweeping, mopping and tending plants.
Mr Kraut’s interest in Buddhist amulets developed during his extensive travels. He has collected examples associated with revered monks from different provinces. Additionally, he has shown an interest in traditional Thai sacred tattoos and hand-blessing ceremonies. These activities form part of his wider involvement with Thai religious customs.
German pensioner continues temple cleaning as his request to leave ashes there remains unresolved
Yet his attachment to Wat Ratchaburana rests on repeated visits and practical work. Each morning, he approaches the acting abbot before beginning his duties. He then cleans the White Buddha chapel and upper floor of the Black Buddha shrine. Finally, he waters the plants around the complex before completing his visit.
The German has maintained these activities without reported payment or other compensation. His regular work has also prompted discussions about becoming a disciple of the temple. More significantly, those conversations have included his request concerning his ashes. He wants his cremated remains retained at Wat Ratchaburana after his death.
No formal agreement concerning that request has been reported. Nevertheless, Luang Pho Samli has confirmed the German’s wishes and praised his dedication. The acting abbot has also acknowledged the benefits of his cleaning work to the temple community.
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For Mr Kraut, retirement has involved motorcycle journeys across almost every Thai province. Along the way, he has visited Buddhist temples, explored natural attractions and collected religious amulets. However, Wat Ratchaburana is where he has established a sustained commitment to voluntary work.
The 67-year-old continues riding to the temple, paying respects to Luang Pho Samli and collecting his cleaning equipment. He sweeps courtyards, mops shrine floors and waters plants without payment.
On Tuesday, his efforts brought a blessing and a prized Phra Nang Phaya amulet. Beyond that recognition, he has made one request clear. When he dies, he wants his ashes kept at the Phitsanulok temple he has spent months maintaining.
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