Prathai Saman

Prathai Saman, later known as Surin, lies on the southern Khorat Plateau, a region where Kuy communities were renowned for catching and training elephants. In 1763 the settlement of Chiangpum and his followers moved to a new site and became the town of Prathai Saman. Chiangpum received the title of Surin Phakdi and became its first governor; the town was later renamed Surin in his honour.