Legendary

3rd Legend
Supreme Commander Srey Mao or Chumteav Commander Mao
What you have read above is a legend which has been told from generation to generation. However, some sources claim, as described below, that Yeay Mao was the supreme Commander who succeeded commander Kry.

As a fully grown young woman with a dusky complexion, Srey Mao was yet to get married and held on position in the army.

One day, Kry – who was the supreme commander in the southwestern region of Khmer territory covering land and maritime borders (sea zones) , including Koh Kong, Kampot and Sihanoukville, and covering part of the north western region including Pursat-appointed Srey Mao as his personal assistant.

After many days and nights of fighting, commander Kry was eventually killed by the Siamese army on the frontline in Koh Kong. His death demoralized many of his soldiers. Seeing that her forces were suffering a lot of casualties deputy commander Srey Mao decided to fight her way out the siege and retreat with her remaining soldiers to Sre Ambel, and then to continue to amass forces at Pech Nil, which was a mountain with strategic advantages where they could contain the Siamese forces and prevent them from advancing.

Following the death of Commander Kry, Srey Mao was appointed by the Khmer king as commander in charge of the southwestern region.

Soon, Srey Mao began gathering and mobilizing military and patriotic forces and designing strategies to launch offensives, both on land and water, against the Siamese forces in the Koh Kong area, and finally succeeded in regaining complete control of the territory.

Using her powerful magic, Srey Mao used armies of grass or tamarind leaves to invade every Siamese garrison. Thousands of grass and tamarind leaf troops entered every corner of the Siamese barracks putting the Siamese soldiers into a state of panic and chaos, and causing them to lose the will to fight.

After the death of Chumteav Mao, Siamese forces attempted to take over Koh Kong but were defeated by the Khmer forces, who were very adept at fighting as they had been taught by their late commander Mao. Before they went into battle, the Khmer soldiers always prayed for Mao’s soul to enter their bodies so that they could become more powerful when fighting.

Mao's magic power spread through every part of the coastal provinces, protecting those people who had respect for her right up until the present day. People usually offer artificial penises to Chumteav Mao at her shrines.

NB: This legend is credible as it corresponds with Yeay Mao’s statue in officer dress holding a dragon club, which is typical of a courageous commander.