Thananon Niramits, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Anutin, led 7,410 Korat women in a dance tribute to Ya Mo during the 2026 Thao Suranari Victory Day celebration marking the 200th anniversary. Sabida presided over the opening ceremony, with grand fireworks illuminating the city’s four corners.
On 24 March 2026, reporters reported that at 7:00 p.m. on 23 March 2026 at the Thao Suranari Monument plaza in Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Ms. Sabida Thaiset, Minister of Culture, presided over the opening ceremony of the 2026 Thao Suranari Victory Day celebration. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the heroic deeds of Thao Suranari, also known as Khun Ya Mo, making the event especially significant. Themed "200 Years of Glorious Heroism, Unfading Faith," the festival runs from 23 March to 3 April 2026, spanning 12 days and nights at the Thao Suranari Monument plaza and the front field of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall.
At the opening ceremony, four prominent Korat-born figures held torches to ignite fireworks at the city’s four corners: Sunaree Ratchasima, a famous luk thung singer and host; Lieutenant Colonel Udomporn Polsak, former Thai national weightlifting athlete and Olympic gold medalist; Wilawan Apinyapong (Captain Gift), former captain of the Thai women’s national volleyball team and one of the legendary “Seven Fairies”; and Second Lieutenant Supakan Yamthai, a military nurse who served at the field hospital in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province during the Thai-Cambodian conflict. Also present was Ms. Thananon Niramits, wife of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Ms. Phaknan Sila-as, president of the Nakhon Ratchasima Red Cross Chapter, leading 7,410 Korat women in a ritual dance offering. This number symbolized the auspicious age of 74 years of His Majesty King Rama X in 2026. Over 20,000 locals and tourists attended the opening ceremony.
The 2026 Thao Suranari Victory Day celebration was organized to honor the bravery and sacrifice of Thao Suranari, or Khun Ya Mo, a heroic woman who is the spiritual symbol for the people of Korat. The special 200th anniversary this year marks two centuries since her victory. The event aims to demonstrate faith and gratitude, allowing descendants and citizens to pay homage to their ancestors, while preserving local traditions and culture.
The event featured food stalls and souvenir shops from well-known vendors, OTOP product sales, Red Cross booths, a light and sound show titled “Ya Chan Than Chue Mo” with the episode “Old Promise 200 Years,” drone light displays forming characters, traditional circle dances, Muay Thai demonstrations, and musical performances by famous artists throughout the 12 nights of the festival.