Chaophraya Surasakmontri Explained

Surasakmontri
Native Name:สุรศักดิ์มนตรี
Honorific-Prefix:Chaophraya
Office:Minister of Agriculture
Term Start:1894
Term End:1899
Predecessor:Chaophraya Bhasakornwongse
Successor:Chaophraya Thewetwongwiwat
Office1:Chief of the Army Department
Term Start1:1890
Term End1:1892
Predecessor1:Prince Damrong Rajanubhab
Successor1:Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse
Birth Name:Choem Saeng-chuto
Birth Date:28 March 1851
Birth Place:Bangkok, Siam
Death Place:Bangkok, Siam
Spouse:Rai Bunnag
Liam Bunnag
Allegiance: Royal Siamese Army
Rank: Field Marshal
Serviceyears:1870 - 1892
Commands:Commander of the Siamese forces
Battles:Haw wars, Ngiao rebellion
Nickname:Jerm Sang-Chuto
Nationality:Thai
Partner:Phraya Surasak Montri, Bunnak

Chaophraya Surasakmontri (28 March 1851 – 1 July 1931),[1] [2] [3] born as Choem Saeng-chuto, was a Thai field marshal, nobleman, and businessman. He was best known in Haw wars campaign. He served as Commander of the Department of the Army from 1890 to 1892, and as Minister of Agriculture afterwards.[4] He established a sawmill in Si Racha in 1900.[5]

The city of Chaophraya Surasak in Chonburi is named after him.

Biography

Chaophraya Surasakmontri was born in 1851 in Thonburi, Rattanakosin Kingdom, to his father Phraya Surasakmontri (Sang Chuto) and mother Doem Bunnak. He is the grandson of Phraya Surasena (Sawat Chuto).

As a child, he received education at Wat Phichai Yat until the age of 13.[6]

In 1878, he was appointed as the chargé d'affaires to the British Empire to negotiate with the British consular general George Knox.

In 1900, Chaophraya Surasakmontri came to the area of the modern town and built a sawmill under his company Si Racha Capital Company Limited. In 1903, he requested that the district capital of Bang Phra district be moved to Si Racha, which it did.

In 1902, King Chulalongkorn gave orders to Chaophraya Surasakmontri to quell the Ngiao rebellion in Phrae province in northern Thailand against Siamese rule and centralization. He would reclaim rebel controlled land, with the leader of Phrae, Chao Phiriya Thepphawong, fleeing into Luang Phrabang.

Chaophraya Surasakmontri died on 1 July 1931. His funeral was held on 8 April 1931 at Wat Thepsirinthrawat.

Honours

References

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Notes and References

  1. Book: Mishra . Patit Paban . The history of Thailand . 2010 . Greenwood . Santa Barbara, Calif. . 978-0313340918 . 86.
  2. Web site: ประวัติของศรีราชา (รวบรวมและเรียบเรียงจากหนังสือ 100 ปี ศรีราชา) . 2023-06-13 . www.konruksriracha.in.th . th.
  3. Web site: 4 January 2022 . ทำไมเจ้าพระยาสุรศักดิ์มนตรี ถูกกล่าวหาว่าเป็น “กบฏแผ่นดิน” ?!? .
  4. Book: Brow . James . Population, land and structural change in Sri Lanka and Thailand . 1976 . Brill . Leiden . 9004045295 .
  5. News: A Trip Through Little Osaka . 4 June 2018 . Bangkok Post . 9 Jun 2016.
  6. Web site: จอมพล มหาอำมาตย์เอก เจ้าพระยาสุรศักดิ์มนตรี (เจิม แสงชูโต) : เกร็ดความรู้ จากสารานุกรมไทย . 2023-06-13 . www.baanjomyut.com.