PHUKET: Buddhists throughout Phuket will plunge into mourning today with the news that revered abbot Luang Pu Supa died during the night.

The esteemed monk would have marked his 119th birthday later this month. Special memorial events are likely throughout Phuket for weeks to come.

The sorrow will be widespread because Luang Pu Supa was an outstanding man who created 39 temples throughout Thailand, including at least three on Phuket.

The first and one of the last were both on Phuket - the Koh Sireh temple, perched high on a hill overlooking Phuket City, and Wat Luang Pu Supa, where the illustrious abbot's remains will be laid to rest.

The landmark temple on Koh Rang, in Phuket City, was also created by Luang Pu Supa.

His passing came at about 8pm last night. When his family realised his time had come, Luang Pu Supa was transferred to Kornsawan temple - his final temple - in his home province of Sakon Nakon.

After living for years on Phuket - his bedroom had one wall of transparent glass so followers could observe him asleep or awake - the remarkable monk moved to his home province in March last year.

The temple on Phuket that bears his name has been created over the years not far from Phuket's famous Chalong temple.

The dome where his remains will be kept is still being created. With the Big Buddha, Chalong temple and the wat that bears Luang Pu Supa's name, southern Phuket is likely to attract many more Buddhists to pay their respects.

At one stage, Luang Pu Supa was thought to be the oldest man in the world but his followers said that that kind of celebrity status was never something he would have acknowledged.

In his lifespan, Thailand has had five kings.