Thao Suranari

Thao Suranari (Thai: ท้าวสุรนารี) is the style (manner of address) of Lady Mo, (also known as Ya Mo (ย่าโม Grandma Mo) (17711852), who was the wife of the deputy governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, the stronghold for Siamese control over its Laotian vassals, at the time of the Vientiane King Anouvong's attack on Korat in 1826. Anuvong's forces seized the town and evacuated the town's inhabitants. Lady Mo is credited as the leader who saved the city by harassing the invading force. Varying stories describe her plot of getting the invading soldiers drunk, or leading a rebellion of captured prisoners on the route back to Vientiane. Consequently Lao troops were dispersed, and forced to retreat quickly. Eventually, Bangkok sent troops led by General Sing Singhaseni (สิงห์ สิงหเสนี) who defeated Anuvong with the total destruction of Vientiane.

The style Thao Suranari, (or Lady Suranari – The Brave Lady) was awarded her by King Rama III in recognition of her bravery.

A statue of Thao Suranari stands in the centre of Nakhon Ratchasima city, and is a popular object of devotion, while a festival in her honour is held in the city at the end of March and the beginning of April each year. The statue was designed by Phra Thewaphinimmit (พระเทวาภินิมมิต) (1888–1942) and sculpted by Silpa Bhirasri. Bhirasri's was an Italian, whose real name was Corrado Feroci. Feroci came to Thailand in 1923, upon invitation to teach art. His name was changed to Bhirasri after Italy surrendered to that Allies during WWII. This was done to avoid arrest by the Japanese forces which occupied Thailand the time. The Thao Suranari statue was erected next to the Chumphon gate on January 15, 1934.

Most recently, evidence has emerged that the story of Suranari Ying Mo) was actually completely fabricated as part of the Thai nationalist movement under Field Marshal Phibul Songkham that emerged in the 1930s.

As part of a 77-million-Baht city center renovation project, dirt and trees were uprooted for construction of a new tree-lined watercourse, a central stage, and to upgrade the Lady Mo monument and rework the Chumphon Gate.

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In BE 2369, Prince Anuwongse of Vientiene revolted and led an army to seize Nakhonratchasima. At that time, Phrayasuriyadej was away on business to Khukhan, leaving behind only minor officials of the political affairs department. The Vientiene troops easily entered and seized Nakhonratchasima, overrunning the small number of defenders, including Khun Ying Mo, Ms.Boonluar and herding them together to march back to Vientiene.

Khun Ying Mo sagaciously instilled morale and heart in the captive people of Nakhonratchasima . She did everything to make the Lao soldiers sympathetic to their Thai captives. She also found ways to delay the journey, such as claiming that captives were sick or that a cart had broken and needed repair. She was also holding secret talks. She asked [her captors] for axes to repair ‘broken’ carts, or to cut brush for firewood, etc., in order that the captives would have these tools when needed. Khun Ying Mo ordered that wood sticks be gathered and sharpened with axes, and that hoes be used as well in place of weapons [when the time arrived].

Upon reaching Thungsamrit, Khun Ying Mo, with a strategy in mind, asked her captors to allow the marchers to rest so that their sore muscles could recover from the long journey, and the Lao commanders allowed this. After setting up camp at Thunsamrit, Phrayahrom, Phrayapalat and Khun Ying Mo commanded that a group of young women lure the Lao soldiers outside the camp. Cooks remained in camp. At this time, male cooks separated into groups with a number of weapons. Junior political affairs department staff took the left and right flanks. Phrayapalat acted as commander of the main force. Khun Ying Mo acted as head of a group of skilled women in a reserve force. After some time passed, all those who had prepared rushed together at the same time, shouting and cheering, chopping at the Lao soldiers and scattering them in confusion. The Lao soldiers had no idea of the impending attack, and fell and died or scattered away.