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 ...

Chaophraya Surasakmontri
สุรศักดิ์มนตรี
Surasakmontri in 1928
Minister of Agriculture
In office 1894–1899
Preceded by	Chaophraya Bhasakornwongse
Succeeded by	Chaophraya Thewetwongwiwat
Chief of the Army Department
In office 1890–1892
Preceded by	Prince Damrong Rajanubhab
Succeeded by	Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse
Personal details
Born	Choem Saeng-chuto (1851-03-28)28 March 1851 Bangkok, Siam
Died	1 July 1931(1931-07-01) (aged 80) Bangkok, Siam
Nationality	Thai
Spouse(s)	Rai Bunnag Liam Bunnag
Domestic partner(s)	Phraya Surasak Montri, Bunnak
Nickname	Jerm Sang-Chuto
Military service
Allegiance	Royal Siamese Army
Years of service	1870 - 1892
Rank	Field Marshal
Commands	Commander of the Siamese forces
Battles/wars	Haw wars, Ngiao rebellion

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

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]

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