Badass Historical Thai Women
Some of Thailand’s most badass historical feats were achieved by equally badass historical Thai women.
To celebrate Women’s History Month, we’ve compiled a few of our favourites that we think are so badass, they should get their own movie.
1. Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon (ท้าวเทพกระษัตรีและท้าวศรีสุนทร) – sisters who defended Phuket from invaders
Image credit: @taarekrek via Instagram
Lady Chan (Khun Ying Chan, คุณหญิงจัน) and Lady Muk (Khun Ying Muk, คุณหญิงมุก) are two sisters born in city of Thalang. These two sisters found more joy with swords than with sewing.
This passion for combat would serve them well when the Burmese empire looked to invade Siam in its moment of weakness during a period of change into the Chakri dynasty.
The Burmese army sensing weakness after Lady Chan’s husband, the governor of Thalang, died. This prompted the invasion of the city which would later become Phuket.
Without a proper governor, Lady Chan stepped up and took charge of the army with the help of her sister Lady Muk. Through their wit and cunning, they successfully repelled the Burmese army which earned them the titles Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon.
2. Thao Suranari (ท้าวสุรนารี) – used her cunning as a prisoner to defeat her invaders
Image credit: Supanut Arunoprayote via Wikimedia Commons
Thao Suranari, born Lady Mo (Khun Ying Mo, คุณหญิงโม), was the wife of the deputy governor of Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima).
In 1826, as part of an ongoing war between Siam and Laos, the Laotian army captured the city of Korat with a cunning ruse while the governor was away.
Lady Mo, affectionately known as Granny Mo (Ya Mo, ย่าโม), used her wits to outsmart her captors and completely reversed the situation. While the city was seized, the citizens of Korat were to be relocated to Laos.
The men were kept under lock and key while the women were to serve the Laotian soldiers. This was when Lady Mo hatched her plan. Accounts may vary, but the gist is that Lady Mo conspired with the other Siamese women to get the Laotian soldiers drunk, which would give the women an opening to free the Siamese men. When that happened, the drunk soldiers were no match in their drunken stupor and fled.
3. Phra Nang Chamadevi (พระนางจามเทวี) – Lan Na queen who fought off a king that started a war because she rejected him
Image credit: @pilinjason via Instagram
Almost a millennia before either of the preceding entries, one Lan Na queen fought off an army whose king was scorned by her.
Phra Nang Chamadevi was known for her beauty. But right before she was to be wed, another prince from a neighbouring kingdom asked for her hand in marriage. When she rejected him, he led an army against her to take her by force.
But we’re talking historical badass women here, so of course Phra Nang Chamadevi took command and led the charge against the prince. Her victory is still celebrated today in Lamphun where she is honoured as the warrior-queen who founded the city.
4. Amdaeng Muean (อำแดงเหมือน) – the woman who gave other women the right to choose their partners
Image credit: silpa-mag.com
In the 1800s, girls were expected to become housewives. While boys went off to school, girls stayed home and learned to clean and cook.
Amdaeng Muean wasn’t like that though. Her strong independent and curious spirit led her to beg for a chance to learn with the boys at the temple.
That’s where she’d meet the love of her life Rid. But their relationship hit a huge road bump when Muean’s parents decided to sell her off.
Muean wouldn’t have any of it though. She would try to escape, but would end up getting captured. This led to her getting physically abused and put in jail. She was even beaten by guards who pressured her to marry the rich man.
Eventually, she would escape all the way to Bangkok to petition her case in front of King Rama IV. He would rule in her favour. Muean’s parents would have to return the dowry. Muean was allowed to marry whomever she pleases.
The case would serve as a precedence to amend the laws, making it so that women would have the right to choose their own partners.
5. Queen Saovabha (สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าเสาวภาผ่องศรี พระบรมราชินีนาถ) – the queen who built many schools for girls
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Queen Saovabha was the chief consort of King Chulalongkorn. King Chulalongkorn is beloved by Thais for abolishing slavery, prostration, and introducing many beneficial reforms. His wife, Queen Saovabha, poured as much heart, if not more, in improving Thai society.
During her reign, she was one of the king’s most trusted advisors. She used that position to improve the lives of women in many ways, chiefly the establishment of many of Thailand’s first schools for girls.
If that wasn’t enough, she also sent many Siamese students to study abroad on her dime.
Thai women to inspire you during Women’s History Month
It’s Women’s History Month, so it’s only fair that we give the stage to these incredible women who helped build our nation.
These historical Thai women are badass inspirational. Whether it’s through cunning, bravery, or just plain old wisdom, they have it in droves. These women set the stage so that many women today can excel. Whether it’s for the celebration of Women’s History Month or for any day you want to feel inspired, their stories deserve to be remembered and celebrated, even if they might be a tiny bit embellished.
If the Phuket heroes inspired you, you should visit their monument as well as other Phuket attractions using our guide. But if you’re just looking for a good time this month, check out our things to do in March listicle.
Cover image adapted from: @taarekrek via Instagram, @pilinjason via Instagram, silpa-mag.com, Supanut Arunoprayote via Wikimedia Commons