ROME: 9th October '04 -- Fr Joseph Prathan Sridanusil, currently provincial of the Salesian Province of Thailand, has been appointed as the new Bishop of Suratthani Diocese.  This was announced this morning by the Vatican daily L'Osservatore Romano.  He replaces Bishop Michael Praphon, also a Salesian, who died in May 2003.

    Bishop-elect Prathan was born 9th February 1946, and became a Salesian on 2nd October 1965, at Hua Hin, where he had completed his novitiate year.  Following his philosophicla studies and Practical Training in Thailand, he went to Cremisan (Holy land) for theological studies.  He was ordained priest in Rome, 29th June 1975 by Pope Paul VI.

    In the years to follow, Fr Joseph Prathan held many positions of responsibility - Rector at Haad Yai and at Suratthani, Rector of the Minor Seminary at Hua Hin, and then Vice Provincial and finally Provincial.  In the meantime he had completed a course in spirituality at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome.  He was appointed Provincial in 1992, afterwards spent time as Rector in Udothoni and Sampran, then was re-appointed Provincial this year.