Chaophraya
Surasakmontri
สุรศักดิ์มนตรี
Surasakmontri in 1928
Minister of Agriculture
In office
1894–1899
Preceded byChaophraya Bhasakornwongse
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

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[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

References

  1. ^ Mishra, Patit Paban (2010). The history of Thailand. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Greenwood. p. 86. ISBN 978-0313340918.
  2. ^ a b "ประวัติของศรีราชา (รวบรวมและเรียบเรียงจากหนังสือ 100 ปี ศรีราชา)". www.konruksriracha.in.th (in Thai). Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  3. ^ "ทำไมเจ้าพระยาสุรศักดิ์มนตรี ถูกกล่าวหาว่าเป็น "กบฏแผ่นดิน" ?!?". 4 January 2022.
  4. ^ Brow, James (1976). Population, land and structural change in Sri Lanka and Thailand. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 9004045295.
  5. ^ "A Trip Through Little Osaka". Bangkok Post. 9 Jun 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "จอมพล มหาอำมาตย์เอก เจ้าพระยาสุรศักดิ์มนตรี (เจิม แสงชูโต) : เกร็ดความรู้ จากสารานุกรมไทย". www.baanjomyut.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
Military offices Preceded byDamrong Rajanubhabas Grand-officer to the Army Chief of the Army Department 1890–1892 Succeeded byBhanubandhu Vongsevoradejas Chief of the Joint Operations Department Political offices Preceded byBhaskorawongse Minister of Agriculture 1892–1896 VacantTitle next held byTheveswongwiwat
Categories