The Story of Yamo (Thao Suranaree) in Korat

Picture from’Apichet Mongkolsangsuree

Yamo statue is a must for any visitor to Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima). It’s important to learn the history behind Yamo (Lady Suranaree), whether it’s fact or myth. The best time to go there is during the Yamo festival in November each year. The site is revered by locals and must be treated with respect.

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Thao Suranari (Thai: ) is the royally bestowed title of Lady Mo, (also known as Ya Mo ( , ‘Grandma Mo’) (1771’1852), who was the wife of the deputy governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, the stronghold for Siamese control over its Laotian vassals. In 1826 Vientiane King Anouvong invaded Siam seeking complete independence. Anuvong’s forces seized the city of Nakhorn Ratchasima by a ruse when the governor was away. They 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 tells that when the Lao invaders ordered the women to cook for them, Lady Mo requested knives to do so. That night, when the invaders were asleep, she gave the knives to the men to attack them. The surprised Lao troops fled and the prisoners escaped. Thai King Rama III soon sent an army in pursuit, led by General Sing Singhaseni . He defeated Anuvoung’s forces in 3 days of fighting and followed his orders by completely destroying 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.

A statue of Thao Suranari stands in the centre of the city 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 (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 Phibul Songkham 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 Chumphon Gate.

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