A Buddhist monk is still going strong at 109-years-old - despite doctors telling his mother that they only expected him to live past the age of 20.

Phrakhru Akha Chanthasaro was the eldest son in a family of 11 born in 1912 but spent his childhood in and out of the local hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast Thailand.

The young lad's condition was so bad that doctors told his mother he was unlikely to make it past his 20th birthday. He spent most of the time inside with fevers while other kids played in the nearby fields.

Reluctantly, the mother decided that his best chances of survival were to leave the family home and join the local Buddhist temple to become a monk as soon as he turned 20.

Now 89 years later and Phrakhru is still battling on, enjoying life at the Wat Ban Klang temple where his granddaughter Auy Auyaree, 29, takes care of him - feeding him his favourite cartons of milk every day and talking with him - despite the monk having lost his hearing a few years ago,

Caring Auy has even started a TikTok account for her frail relative where he has gained fans from around the world who are amazed at his longevity.

Auy said: ‘I remember my grandfather staying in this temple ever since I was a little girl. I feel like it is my responsibility to take care as he is partially blind and dea. He had also recently slipped in the toilet and broke his leg, but he is strong.

Auy has been feeding, cleaning, and doing physiotherapy for Phrakhru Akhra. She said that other than praying and meditating, she has never seen the elderly monk do anything else.

‘He barely talks and sometimes it can be difficult to communicate with him because he is blind and his hearing is not good. But his consciousness is still sharp like any other person. He will be turning 110 this year on April 13.

'I'll keep coming every day to take care of him because that's my duty, my responsibility.

'I post videos of my grandfather on social media and people are so kind. They are impressed by how old he is. I tell him how many people like him and I think he understands, but he doesn't have the energy to pay much attention.

'I think he's an inspiration to people everywhere to carry on living and enjoying life.'

The world's oldest ever man is Jeanne Calment, from France, who was born on 21 February 1875 and died on 4 August 1997.

Kane Tanaka from Japan, is the oldest living man at 119 years old.