| Praiwan Wannabut | |
| Native Name: | ไพรวัลย์ วรรณบุตร |
| Native Name Lang: | th |
| Birth Date: | 2 October 1991 |
| Birth Place: | Tha Mai, Chanthaburi, Thailand |
| Other Names: | Parry (nickname) |
Praiwan Wannabut (th|ไพรวัลย์ วรรณบุตร; born 2 October 1991), nicknamed Parry (th|แพรรี่), is a Thai influencer, writer, and actor. He was formerly a Buddhist monk known as Phra Maha Praiwan Worawanno (th|พระมหาไพรวัลย์ วรวณฺโณ).
Praiwan was born into a poor family in Tha Mai, Chanthaburi.[1] Upon completing primary school, he entered monastic life so that he could further his study despite his family's financial situation. He was first ordained as a novice in Sukhothai province. By the age of 18, he had attained Level 7 in the study of Pali, the language of the Theravada canon.[2]
He moved to Wat Soi Thong in Bangkok for advanced studies and became the first novice monk from Sukhothai to complete Level 9 in Pali – equivalent to a bachelor's degree. By the time he was 20, he was ordained as a monk under the auspices of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.[3] He graduated with two-second degrees from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and Ramkhamhaeng University.[4]
In September of 2021, he was made popular by his appearance on a Facebook Live in a joint appearance with (Luang Phi Sompong Talbuddhadho). More than 200,000 people watched the livestream. The Facebook Live was unpopular among Thai conservatives, however, as they believed the duo was making a mockery of Buddhism. Fans defended them, auguring the duo wanted to teach about dharma to Thai teenagers in a contemporary fashion.[5] [6]
He is no longer a monk, deciding instead to instead pursue a career in entertainment and literature.[7] He also has been an influencer and actor since February 2022. He is openly LGBTQ+.[8]
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