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]

Quick Facts Surasakmontri, Minister of Agriculture ...
Surasakmontri
สุรศักดิ์มนตรี
Thumb
Surasakmontri in 1928
Minister of Agriculture
In office
1894–1899
Preceded byChaophraya Phatsakorawong
Succeeded byChaophraya Thewetwongwiwat
Chief of the Army Department
In office
1890–1892
Preceded byPrince Damrong Rajanubhab
Succeeded byPrince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse
Personal details
Born
Choem Saeng-chuto

(1851-03-28)28 March 1851
Bangkok, Siam
Died1 July 1931(1931-07-01) (aged 80)
Bangkok, Siam
NationalityThai
Spouse(s)Rai Bunnag
Liam Bunnag
Domestic partner(s)Phraya Surasak Montri, Bunnak
NicknameJerm Sang-Chuto
Military service
AllegianceThailand Royal Siamese Army
Years of service1870 - 1892
Rank Field Marshal
CommandsCommander of the Siamese forces
Battles/warsHaw wars, Ngiao rebellion
Close

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[where?] 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.[2]

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.[6]

Chaophraya Surasakmontri died on 1 July 1931. His funeral was held on 8 April 1931 at Wat Thepsirinthrawat.[6]

Honours

  • 1895 - Thumb Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
  • 1901 - Thumb Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the White Elephant
  • 1889 - Thumb Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand
  • 1898 - Thumb Haw Campaign Medal
  • 1906 - Thumb Dushdi Mala Medal Pin of Services to the Monarch (Military)
  • 1906 - Thumb Dushdi Mala Medal Pin of Service to the Nation (Military)
  • 1906 - Thumb Dushdi Mala Medal Pin of Acts of Bravery (Military)
  • 1895 - Thumb Chakra Mala Medal
  • 1899 - Thumb Chakrabarti Mala Medal
  • 1926 - Thumb Saradul Mala Medal
  • 1906 - Thumb King Mongkut's Royal Cypher Medal, 5th Class
  • 1893 - Thumb King Chulalongkorn's Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class
  • 1922 - Thumb King Vajiravudh's Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class
  • 1927 - Thumb King Prajadhipok's Royal Cypher Medal, 2nd Class
  • 1882 - Thumb Satabarsa Mala Medal
  • 1883 - Thumb Rajadapisekmala Medal
  • 1897 - Thumb Prapasmala Medal
  • 1898 - Thumb Queen's Medal
  • 1903 - Thumb Taweethapisek Medal
  • 1897 - Thumb Ratchamongkol Medal
  • 1908 - Thumb Rajamangala Bhisek Medal
  • 1911 - Thumb King Rama VI Coronation Medal
  • 1925 - Thumb King Rama VII Coronation Medal

References

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