Bishop Joseph Luechai Thatwisai as born in Phonsung on December 2, 1962, ordained a priest May 24, 1990, obtained a pontifical degree in Scripture and was professor of biblical theology at Thailand's Saeng Tham National Major Seminary, and earned a PhD in biblical studies at the Catholic Institute of Paris.  He was appointed the Bishop of the Udon Thani diocese by Pope Benedict XVI on November 14, 2009, and was ordained a bishop by his predecessor, Bishop George Yod Phimphisan, C.Ss.R., on February 6, 2010.