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Thao Suranari (Thai: ท้าวสุรนารี; 1771–1852) is the royally bestowed title of Lady Mo, also known as Ya Mo (ย่าโม, "Grandma Mo"), who was the wife of the deputy governor of Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), the stronghold of Siamese control over its Laotian vassals.

Thao Suranari, hailed from Nakhon Ratchasima. She resided across from Wat Phra Narai Maharat, the main temple in Nakhon Ratchasima, situated to the city's south.

In 1826, King Anouvong of Vientiane invaded Siam, seeking complete independence. Anouvong's forces seized the city of Nakhon Ratchasima by a ruse when the governor was away. The invaders evacuated the inhabitants, intending to resettle them in Laos. Lady Mo is credited with saving her people by harassing the enemy. Varying stories describe her either getting the invading soldiers drunk, or leading a rebellion of the prisoners on the way back to Vientiane. The generally accepted version is that, when the Lao invaders ordered the women to cook for them, Lady Mo requested knives so that food might be prepared. That night, when the invaders were asleep, she gave the knives to the imprisoned men. They surprised the Lao troops, who fled, and the prisoners escaped. Thai King Rama III soon sent an army in pursuit, led by General Sing Singhaseni (สิงห์ สิงหเสนี). He defeated Anuvoung's forces in three days of fighting and completely destroyed Anuvoung's capital city of Vientiane.

King Rama III awarded her the title Thao Suranari, (or Lady Suranari – "the brave lady") in recognition of her courageous acts.

Statue

A statue of Thao Suranari stands in the centre of Nakhon Ratchasima, and is a popular object of devotion. A festival in her honour is held each year at the end of March and the beginning of April. The statue was designed by Phra Thewaphinimmit (พระเทวาภินิมมิต) (1888–1942) and sculpted by Silpa Bhirasri. Thao Suranari's statue was placed next to the Chumphon Gate of the city wall on January 15, 1934.

It has since been suggested that the story of Thao Suranari was somewhat embellished during the Thai nationalist movement under Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram 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 redo Chumphon Gate.

See also

• Lao rebellion (1826–28)
• Military history of Thailand
• Nakhon Ratchasima
• Anouvong

Reference

1. "ประวัติท้าวสุรนารี". Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2008.

External links

• History of Lady Mo Korat Post.

v t e Tourism in Nakhon Ratchasima Province
City of Nakhon Ratchasima	Thao Suranari Monument Northeastern Museum of Petrified Wood and Mineral Resources Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo Nakhon Ratchasima City Gates
Upper section	Phimai National Museum Phimai Historical Park
Lower section	Khao Yai National Park Mueang Sema Historical Site Wat Thammachak Semaram Ancient Khorat Prasat Non Ku Prasat Mueang Khaek Prasat Mueang Kao Dan Kwian Pottery Village Farm Chokchai
List of tourist attractions

v t e City of Nakhon Ratchasima
History
Government and localities	City of Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Ratchasima Metropolitan Area
Buildings and landmarks	Thao Suranaree Monument Korat City Gates Wat Sala Loi Korat Zoo His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary, 5th December 2007 Sports Complex
Economy	Tourism Banks
Transport	Air Nakhon Ratchasima Airport Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (closed) Rail Nakhon Ratchasima Railway Station Thanon Chira Junction Railway Station Road Streets and highway Nakhon Ratchasima Ring Road Bus Station I II Songthaew BRT (proposed)
Culture	Buddhist temples Cinema Shopping The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima Terminal 21 Nakhon Ratchasima CentralPlaza Nakhon Ratchasima Sports Nakhon Ratchasima F.C. His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary, 5th December 2007 Sports Complex 2007 Southeast Asian Games
Education	Education in Nakhon Ratchasima Schools Nakhon Ratchasima Witthayalai School Suranaree School Universities Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University Suranaree University of Technology
Health	Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital Suranaree University of Technology Hospital
Other topics	Buildings and structures Hotel collapse Thai cities Municipalities Notable people Mass shooting

• 19th-century Thai women
• 19th-century Thai people
• 1771 births
• 1852 deaths
• Nakhon Ratchasima
• People from Nakhon Ratchasima province
• Monuments and memorials to women
• Women in 19th-century warfare
• 18th-century Thai women