A symbol of valour and patriotism, stands between Ratchadamnoen Road and Chumphon Road. Completed in 1934, it commemorates the bravery of “Khun Ying Mo” or “Thao Suranari”, famously recounted in the chronicles of the suppression of the Vientiane rebellion, first published in 1926. The chronicle narrates: “In April 1826, the army of Vientiane, upon realizing that the forces from Bangkok had advanced to Phra Phutthabat, swiftly retreated to Nakhon Ratchasima. The Royal Palace in Bangkok then stationed troops in Saraburi, preparing for a major assault on Vientiane. In Nakhon Ratchasima, the Vientiane forces began to forcibly relocate the locals to Vientiane. Khun Ying Mo, the wife of the deputy governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, was among those captured. She cleverly devised a strategy to delay their journey and wait for others at Thung Samrit. Seeing their number advantage, the captives, both men and women, overpowered their guards, seizing weapons and fighting back” Following the defeat of the Vientiane army, King Rama III graciously bestowed upon Khun Ying Mo the title “Thao Suranari”. She was a woman of sharp intellect and strategy, skilled in chess, and sword fighting, and proficient in riding elephants and horses. Loved dearly by the locals, she passed away in April 1852 at the age of 81. The government and people erected the Thao Suranari Monument in her honour. The statue, cast in black-coated bronze, stands 185 centimetres tall and weighs 325 kilograms. Dressed in royal regalia, she stands with her right hand on a sword, its tip touching the ground, and her left hand on her waist, facing West towards Bangkok. Her ashes are enshrined in the base of the monument. This was the first monument in Thailand dedicated to a commoner woman. An annual celebration of Thao Suranari’s victory takes place from 23 March to 3 April. Behind the monument lies the Chumphon Gate, built with large stones and bricks, plastered over,
