Komkrit Uitekkeng

Komkrit Uitekkeng (; ; nickname Tul; ; , 14 September 1981 – 8 February 2025) was a Thai academic and writer specialising in Indian philosophy. He was a professor at Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University in Thailand and a weekly writer for Matichon Weekly's Phi Phram Phut column. In addition to his academic contributions, he was one of Thailand's pioneering YouTubers from his cooking series Khrua Kak Kak. where he was born and raised. He graduated primary school from Chat Chaloem School, and secondary school from Phichai Rattanakhan School; both located in Ranong. In 2004 he graduated Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication) with Honours from Chiang Mai University, following by a Master's in Philosophy from Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University in 2008. His graduating thesis was about Vedanta philosophy of Adi Shankara. He recalled the days of studying Master's as "extremely academic" and often called his mum who said oftentimes "it's fine to quit, come home, and I will take care of you."

Career Komkrit worked as a professor at Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University from 2004 His weekly articles were compiled into two books published in 2017 and 2021. Their wedding was a Hindu wedding held at Silpakorn University, Sanam Chandra Palace campus in February 2016. The wedding was documented by ThaiPBS for its TV documentary on Indian weddings.

Komkrit died from an acute heart attack on 8 February 2025, at the age of 43. He was survived by his wife and friends. His last rites and cremation was on 17 February at in his hometown of Ranong. His death was mourned by the public, including television personality and writer ; both of whom were with Komkrit at the hospital before his death, actress Intira Charoenpura, and senior activist Sulak Sivaraksa. The foundation was founded as "a contemporary spiritual space" and operates through Vajrasiddha , a learning space that Komkrit called "an alternative university". Another operation of the foundation is Avalokita , a non-monastic meditation centre in Bangkok. Komkrit also regularly volunteered as a prayer-leader and lecturer for both projects. Another project of Vajrapanya is Padmakara, a spiritual retreat on Koh Phangan island, where Komkrit had a vision of it being the first "laymen's temple". Named after one of Guru Rinpoche's alias, the centre was still under construction when he died.

Khrua Kak Kak Komkrit was known online from his cooking show on YouTube titled Khrua Kak Kak Doi Chef Mi beginning in 2011. He had since gained an alias "Chef Mi". He had a unique presentation style and was noted for cooking with "only what's left in the fridge". Nowadays, he is generally recognised as one of "Thailand's pioneering YouTubers"

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