Phra Chedi Si Suriyothai is situated in Wat Suan Luang
Sopsawan, the place where Queen Suriyothai, king
Mahachakraphat's wife, was cremated. She died on an
elephant's back, having saved her husband from danger in
the war with Burma. The chedi and the temple were
established in 1548 in memorial of the Queen's heroic
deed.
Chedi Sri
Suriyothai
Chedi Sisuriyothai
Phra Chedi Sri Suriyothai
Phra Chedi Sisuriyothai is the
memorial to Somdet Phra Sisuriyothai,
the Thai heroine in the Ayutthaya period. She
was the queen of
Somdet Phra Mahajakrapat, the king of
Ayutthaya
which reigned
when he was 36.
After King Somdet Phra
Mahajakrapat reigned in 1548 A.D. for 7
months, Phra Chao Tabengchaveti, the King of
Burma, moved his
troops to beat Ayutthaya to revenge for the
former unsuccessful
beat of Chiengkran town in the reign of King
Chairajathirat.
In the first battle, King
Somdet Phra Mahajakrapat would lead his
troops with his two sons, Prince Phra Ramesuan
and Prince Phra
Mahintrathirat on elephants, but queen Somdet
Phra Sisuriyothai
was concerned for her husband then she
disguised herself as a
man in a fighting form and accompanied with
them.
When the Ayutthaya's troops
met the front Burmese troops, which
was led by Phra Chao Phrae, King Somdet Phra
Mahajakrapat rode
his elephant to fight against Phra Chao Phrae,
but his elephant was
in collapse so Phra Chao Phrae raised his
scythe to cut King
Somdet Phra Mahajakrapat, queen Somdet Phra
Sisuriyothai nearby
had seen the event, she decided to save her
husband by riding her
elephant to intervene the fighting. She was
killed by the scythe of
Phra Chao Phrae on her elephant back. Then
their two sons helped
them and moved the corpse back.
With her devotion, King Somdet
Phra Mahajakrapat constructed a
chedi, called Phra Chedi Sisuriyothai at Wat
Suanluang Sobswan,
Hualaem District.
Queen Sri Suriyothai
“Suriyothai” redirects here. For the film, see The Legend
of Suriyothai.
Queen Suriyothai Memorial Park, northwest of
AyutthayaQueen Suriyothai (also known as Somdet Phra
suriyothai, was a legendary queen during the 16th
century Ayutthaya period of Siam (now Thailand). She is
famous for having given her life in defense of her king.
The meaning of her name in Thai is "sunrise". (Suriya +
Uthai, Suriya = sun Uthai = rising)
Suriyothai was queen during the early part of the reign of
King Maha Chakapat (2091 to 2106 Buddhist Era, with
another reign from 2111 to 2112 B.E.). In 1548 A.D.,
barely six months into King Maha Chakapat's reign, the
King of Burma invaded Siam with the intent of sacking the
main capital, Ayutthaya.
As was the custom at the time, King Maha Chakapat led his
troops in the defense of the city from atop his war
elephant. Even though women were not permitted to take
part in battle, Queen Suriyothai was so concerned for her
husband that she disguised herself as a man and rode into
battle on her own elephant.
During the battle with Burmese troops, King Maha
Chakapat's elephant collapsed from wounds and he was in
danger of being killed. Queen Suriyothai rode her elephant
to protect her husband and was killed by a scythe.
A memorial chedi to Queen Suriyothai, Phra Chedi
Sisuriyothai, was built by King Maha Chakapat in her
honor. The chedi is located outside Ayutthaya at Wat
Suanluang Sopsawan. There is also a memorial park to her
at the location, featuring a large statue of the queen
riding a war elephant.
In 2001, a Thai movie about her life, The Legend of
Suriyothai, was released. The film was directed by M.C.
Chatrichalerm Yukol of the Thai Royal Family and financed
by Queen Sirikit.
