OUR STORY
A Story of Love, Service & Human Transformation
Every iRETREAT sanctuary has a story. Ours began not with a business plan, but with a simple belief.
When individuals transform,
the world transforms
iRETREAT was born from the meeting of two remarkable journeys: one rooted in business, philanthropy and public service, the other in entrepreneurship, monastic practice and the lifelong pursuit of inner peace.
Together, they shared one vision: to create sanctuaries where people could rediscover themselves through timeless wisdom, authentic meditation and heartfelt hospitality.
FOUNDERS
Our Vision
“To create distinctive, modern meditation retreats focusing on mindfulness, psychological fitness, and wellbeing, helping people find inner peace and happiness.”
What began as an intimate offering for close family and friends has grown into iRETREAT’s vision for a global sanctuary, carried forward today by the founders and leadership who shape its every detail.
Phornsan Kamlang-ek / Phornprapha
iRETREAT CO-FOUNDER
Born into the family behind the Siam Motors Group, and shaped by a lifetime immersed in both business and Buddhist practice, Khun Daeng founded iRETREAT with a clear vision: to create distinctive, modern Asian meditation retreats focused on mindfulness, psychological fitness and wellbeing. What began as an intimate offering for close family and friends has since grown into a vision she continues to carry forward on a global scale.
Praputt Kamlang-ek / Phornprapha
(Luang Pi Duke)
iRETREAT CO-FOUNDER
Born in Los Angeles and educated in the UK, Luang Pi Duke holds a degree in Economics & Management from Royal Holloway and a Master’s from the London School of Economics. Before ordination, his path spanned sport and business, including founding the Thailand Footvolley Association and the Praputt Kamlang-ek Football Centre. In 2007, he ordained as a Buddhist monk in pursuit of a simpler life and deeper inner peace, a path he has followed for over seventeen years.
iRETREAT
Our Story
CHAPTER ONE · Where It All Began
A Son’s Gift to His Mother
After completing ten years of intensive monastic training, Venerable Praputt Kamlang-ek, known to guests as Luang Pi Duke, asked himself one question: who should be the first person to experience the peace meditation had given him?
The answer was his mother. Rather than offering flowers, he envisioned a sanctuary where she could experience authentic inner peace, surrounded by nature and timeless Buddhist wisdom.
Phornsan Phornprapha embraced that vision immediately. Through her belief, encouragement and the philanthropic support of the Phornprapha family, the dream became real.
What began as a personal gift of love became iRETREAT Pak Thong Chai: a sanctuary now welcoming guests from around the world.
Chapter Two · A story of service
Three Generations, One Shared Purpose
Dr. Thaworn Phornprapha founded Siam Motors Group and helped shape Thailand’s industrial development. General Arthit Kamlang-ek devoted his life to serving Thailand as former Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Deputy Prime Minister.
More than 35 years ago, General Arthit acquired the Pak Thong Chai land that would one day become iRETREAT. Not long after, the General Arthit & Phornsan Kamlang-ek Foundation was established to continue the family’s commitment to education, leadership and compassionate service, a commitment that quietly underpins every iRETREAT destination today.
Every initiative shares one purpose: helping people flourish.
Chapter Three · A story of transformation
From Outer Success to Inner Peace
After graduating from the London School of Economics, Luang Pi Duke spent ten years working within the family business while building several entrepreneurial ventures. Life appeared successful from the outside, but he found himself searching for a deeper understanding of happiness, purpose and fulfilment.
He entered the Theravada Buddhist monkhood and spent the next ten years in intensive training, meditating four times a day for roughly two hours each session. During those years, he arrived at a simple truth:
“The world teaches us how to succeed. Meditation teaches us how to live.”
Inspired by the Middle Way and the teachings of Luang Pu Wat Paknam, he developed the practice now shared with every guest: Sati & Sabai.
Chapter Four · A story still being written
iRETREAT Ecosystem
What began as a single sanctuary in Pak Thong Chai has grown into a family of destinations: Chiang Mai, Koh Yao Noi, and Pattaya taking shape, each carrying the same founding purpose into a different landscape.
Because transformation doesn’t end when a retreat finishes. It becomes a way of living.
OUR VISION
Transforming Humanity, One Journey at a Time
Through Sati & Sabai, timeless wisdom and thoughtfully designed sanctuaries, we help people discover greater awareness, inner peace and lasting wellbeing
Where It All Began
World Peace Begins With Inner Peace
When individuals transform,
families flourish.
When families flourish,
communities grow stronger.
When communities grow stronger,
the world becomes a little more peaceful.
One Philosophy.
Four Journeys.
One Shared Destination.
INNER PEACE.
WhERE We ARE GOING
Timeline
From a family legacy of service to a growing ecosystem for human transformation.
A legacy begins
Dr. Thaworn Phornprapha lays the first stone of what would become an empire, founding Siam Motors Group and setting in motion a story of vision, resilience and quiet ambition that would span generations.
A foundation for good
Named in honor of Arthit and Phornsan Kamlang-ek, GAPKF (the General Arthit-Phornsan Kamlang-ek Foundation) is established to carry the family’s legacy forward, not through business alone, but through education, compassion and service to others.
A world view widens
Graduation from the London School of Economics opens the door to a wider world, bringing a new perspective on business, purpose and what it truly means to build something of lasting value.
Building in business
Years spent building alongside family, launching new ventures and learning firsthand the discipline, patience and grit that only entrepreneurship can teach.
Turning inward
A deliberate step away from the noise of enterprise, with years given entirely to intensive monastic training and meditation, in search of a stillness no amount of success could buy.
iRETREAT is born
That hard-won stillness takes form. iRETREAT Pak Thong Chai opens its doors, offered as a gift of peace to anyone seeking the same quiet the journey had once promised.
A growing ecosystem
What began as a single retreat grows into a living ecosystem, from iRETREAT to iMONASTERY and beyond, each new space built around a different path to rest, meaning and human transformation.
The journey continues
The story is still being written, a continuing commitment to growth, healing and service, carried forward one guest, one season and one quiet breakthrough at a time.
OUR ECOSYSTEM
One Vision.
Many Expressions.
iRETREAT ECOSYSTEM
Human transformation
extends beyond retreats
iRETREAT
Sanctuaries for Human Transformation
Retreats and immersive programmes for lasting personal transformation.
iMONASTERY
Authentic Monastic Training & Meditation Body. Renew Mind.
Monastic training and meditation practices rooted in ancient tradition.
GAPKF
GENERAL ARTHIT & PHORNSAN KAMLANG-EK FOUNDATION
Education, Scholarships, Diamond in the Rough, Community Development & Humanitarian Initiatives
iNNERx
TOOLS FOR
SELF-DEVELOPMENT
Technology that Supports Human Flourishing
TOGETHER