Laos 
 

3 Oct 1893 - 8 Apr 1945;              23 Apr 1946 - 11 May 1947                8 Apr 1945 - 23 Apr 1946;             11 May 1947 - 2 Dec 1975               16 Oct 1945 - 23 Apr 1946;                  Adopted 2 Dec 1975    Map of Laos  Hear National Anthem "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)  Text of National Anthem Adopted 1947 (Lyrics 1975)  Constitution (14 Aug 1991) ---------------------------- Royal Constitution (11 May 1947-1975; in French) Capital: Vientiane (Royal Capital: Luang Phra Bang to 1975) Currency: Kip (LAK) National Holiday: 2 Dec (1975) Republic Day Population: 6,521,998 (2007) GDP: $13.43 billion (2006) Exports: $982 million (2006) Imports: $1.37 billion (2006)  Ethnic groups: Lao Loum ([Lao] lowland) 53%, Lao Theung ([Mon-Khmer] upland) 23%, Lao Tai (Tai) 13%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong (Miao) and the Yao (Mien) 10%, other, ethnic Vietnamese or Chinese 1% (2000) Total Armed Forces: 29,100 (2003) Merchant marine: 1 ship (2006) Religions: Buddhist 48.8%, animist and traditional beliefs 41.7%, non-religious 4.3%, Christian 2.1%, other 3.1% (2000) International Organizations/Treaties: ADB, ARF, ASEAN, BTWC, CP, CTBT, EAS, ENMOD, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, Intersputnik, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, KP, MIGA, NAM, NPT, NTBT, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCLOS, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Laos Index Chronology 1353                       Kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao  161. - 1946                Separate Kingdom (from 1904 Principality) of                              Nakhon Champasak.  1707 - 1828                Separate Kingdom of Wiang Chhan.  3 Oct 1893                French protectorate of Laos; part of French                               Indochina (see Vietnam)(Luang Phra Bang a                               protectorate; central and south French colonies                              until 1899 then part of Luang Phra Bang). 23 Mar 1907                West-bank Champasak and Xainyaburi provinces                              ceded by Siam to Laos. 16 Jun 1940 -  9 Mar 1945  Administration loyal to Vichy France.  9 May 1941 -  7 Dec 1946  West-bank Champasak and Xainyaburi provinces                              annexed by Thailand. 21 Aug 1941                Wiang Chhan and Xiang Khuang incorporated                               into Luang Phra Bang.  8 Apr 1945                Royal proclamation by Luang Phra Bang declares                              end to French protectorate.  7 Apr 1945 - 27 Aug 1945  Occupied by Japan (Japanese troops present since                              28 Jul 1941).  8 Apr 1945                Luang Phra Bang Royal proclamation declares                              an end to French protectorate. 15 Sep 1945                Unification of Kingdom of Laos proclaimed. 23 Sep 1945 - 12 Mar 1946  Allied (Chinese) occupation north of 16th                               parallel and British occupation below it. 23 Apr 1946                France protectorate reestablished. 27 Aug 1946                France recognizes unification of Laos. 19 Jul 1949                French associated state 22 Oct 1953                Independence proclaimed (Kingdom of Laos). 21 Jul 1954                Independence recognized by France.  2 Dec 1975                Lao People's Democratic Republic Laos Luang Phra Bang (Lan Xang) (1637-1946) Wiang Chhan (1707-1828) Champasak (1700-1946) Xiang Khuang (1687-1888) Historical Maps of Laos

Luang Phra Bang  (Lan Xang)

                 c.1707 - 3 Oct 1893
 

Map of Luang Phra Bang

Capital: Luang Phra Bang (Xiang Dong Xiang Thong to 1561; Vientiane 1561-1695)

Population: N/A

889 - 1368                 Part of Khmer (Cambodian) empire.
....                       Müang Xiang Dong Xiang Tong
1353                       Kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao 
1478 - 1479                Occupied by Vietnam.
1574 - 1603                Burmese vassal.
1575 - 1591                Occupied by Burma.
1707                       Kingdom of Luang Phra Bang (officially Lan Xang Hom Khao).
Mar 1765 - 1772            Under Burmese suzerainty.
1772 - 1795                Under Thai suzerainty.
1788 - 1792                Thai occupation.
179. -  2 Jun 1794         Thai occupation.
1795 - 1828                Vassal of Vietnam. 
 3 Oct 1893                French protectorate; part of French Indochina (see Vietnam).
21 Aug 1941                Wiang Chhan and Xiang Khuang incorporated into Luang Phra Bang.
 7 Apr 1945 - 27 Aug 1945  Japanese occupation.
 8 Apr 1945                Royal proclamation declares end of French protectorate.
15 Sep 1945                Part of Kingdom of Laos

Kings
1575 - 1575                Nokeo-Koumane (1st time)           (d. 1596)
1575 - 1591                Burmese occupation
1591 - 1596                Nokeo-Koumane (2nd time)           (s.a.)
1596 - 1621                Vorouvong Sa II                    (b. 1585 - d. 1622)
1621 - 1622                Ouphagnauvarath I                  (b. 1597 - d. 1622)
1623 - 1627                Phothisarath II                    (b. 1552 - d. 1627)
1627 - 1633                Mom Keo                            (d. 1633)
1633 - 1637                Ton Khan (Ouphagnauvarath II)      (d. 1637)
1637 - 1638                Vickhsai                           (d. 1638)
1638 - 1690                Sulingvongsa                       (b. 1618 - d. 1690)
1690 - 1695                Tian Thala                         (d. 1696)
1695 - 1698                Nan Tharat                         (d. 1698) 
1698 - 1706                Setthathirath II                   (b. 1685 - d. 1735)
                             (to 1735 in Wiang Chhan)
1707 - 1713                Kingkitsarath                      (d. 1716)
1713 - 1723                Ong Kham                           (d. 1731)
1723 - 1749                Thao Ang (Inthason)                (d. 1749)
1749 (8 months)            Intharavongsa                      (d. 1776) 
1749 - 1749                Inthaphom                          (d. 1776)
1749 - 1768                Sotika-Koumane                     (b. bf.1734 - d. 1771)
1768 - 1788                Suryavong II                       (d. 1791)
1788 - 1792                Thai occupation
 3 Feb 1792 - 179.         Anurutha (1st time)                (b. 1735 - d. 1819)
179. -  2 Jun 1794         Thai occupation
 2 Jun 1794 - 31 Dec 1819  Anurutha (2nd time)                (s.a.)
31 Dec 1819 -  7 Mar 1837  Manthaturath                       (b. 1772 - d. 1837)
                            (regent for Anurutha 1817 - 31 Dec 1819; lives as a
                             monk in Bangkok 1825-26, leaving Luang Phra Bang to
                             be administered by Thai officials)
1825 - 1826                .... -Thai official
1837 - 1838                Unkeo -Regent                      (d. 1850)
1838 - 23 Sep 1850         Sukha-Söm                          (b. 1797 - d. 1850)
23 Sep 1850 -  1 Oct 1868  Chantha-Kuman                      (b. 1799 - d. 1868)
 1 Oct 1868 - 15 Dec 1895  Unkham                             (b. 1811 - d. 1895)
15 Dec 1895 - 25 Mar 1904  Sakkarin                           (b. 1840 - d. 1904)
                            (regent for Unkham Apr 1888 - 15 Dec 1895)
26 Mar 1904 - 15 Sep 1945  Sisavang Vong (1st time)           (b. 1885 - d. 1959)
                            (King of Laos from 12 Oct 1945)
15 May 1946 - 27 Aug 1946  Sisavang Vong (2nd time)           (s.a.)

Prime minister 
21 Aug 1941 - 10 Oct 1945  Prince Phetsarath Rattanavongga    (b. 1890 - d. 1959)  Non-party

French Vice-consul
1887 -  5 Jun 1894         Auguste Jean Marie Pavie           (b. 1847 - d. 1925)
Commissioner-general
 5 Jun 1894 - Apr 1895     Auguste Jean Marie Pavie           (s.a.)
Commandant-superior of Bas-Laos (in Khong, Champasak)
May 1895 - Apr 1899        Marie Auguste Armand Tournier
Commandants-superior of Haut-Laos (in Luang Prabang)
Jun 1895 - Apr 1897        Joseph Vacle (1st time) (interim)
May 1897 - Oct 1898        Paul Louis Luce (interim)
Oct 1898 - Apr 1899        Joseph Vacle (2nd time) (interim)
Residents-superior
Sep 1895 - Mar 1896        Léon Jules Pol Boulloche           (b. 1855 - d. 19..)
Apr 1899 - Apr 1903        Marie Auguste Armand Tournier
Aug 1903 - May 1906        Georges Marie Joseph Mahé 
                             (1st time) (interim)
May 1906 - Apr 1907        Louis Saturnin Laffont (interim)
Apr 1907 - Jan 1912        Georges Marie Joseph Mahé 
                             (2nd time)
Aug 1910 - Jul 1911        Antoine Georges Amédeé Ernest      (b. 1863 - d. 1941)
                             Outrey (interim) 
Jan 1912 - Jul 1913        Louis Antoine Aubry de la Noé
                             (interim)
Jul 1913 - Oct 1913        Claude Léon Garnier (1st time)
                             (acting)
Oct 1913 - Feb 1914        Jean Édouard Bourcier
                             Saint-Chaffray (interim)         (b. 1870 - d. 19..)
May 1914 - May 1918        Claude Léon Garnier (2nd time)
                             (acting)
Jun 1918 - Mar 1931        Jules Georges Théodore Bosc
Apr 1921 - Jan 1923        Joël Darrousin (interim)
May 1925 - Jan 1926        Jean-Jacques Dauplay (interim)     (b. 1878 - d. 19..)
May 1928 - Dec 1928        Paul Raimond Octane Le Boulanger
                             (interim)
Mar 1931                   Paul Raimond Octane Le Boulanger
                             (1st time) (interim)
Mar 1931                   Pierre André Michel Pagès          (b. 1893 - d. 1980)
Mar 1931 - Jun 1931        Yves Chrles Chatel                 (b. 1865 - d. 1944)
Jun 1931 - Oct 1931        Paul Raimond Octane Le Boulanger
                             (2nd time) (interim)
Oct 1931 - Feb 1932        Jules Nicolas Thiebaut (interim)
Feb 1932 - Oct 1933        Aristide Eugène Le Fol
Oct 1933 - Jan 1934        Adrien Anthony Maurice Roques
                             (1st time) (acting)
Jan 1934 - Jul 1934        Louis Frédéric Eckert (interim)
Jul 1934 - Aug 1934        Adrien Anthony Maurice Roques
                             (2nd time) (acting)
Aug 1934 - Apr 1938        Eugène Henri Roger Eutrope
Nov 1934 - Oct 1935        Louis Frédéric Claire Guillaume
                             Marty (interim)
Apr 1938 - Nov 1940        André Touzet
Nov 1940 - Dec 1941        Adrien Anthony Maurice Roques
                             (3rd time) (interim)
Dec 1941 -  5 Apr 1945     Louis Antoine Marie Brasey         (b. 1891 - d. 19..)
Japanese Resident in Vientiane
Mar 1945 - Aug 1945        Masanori Sako
Japanese Supreme Counselor in Luang Prabang
 5 Apr 1945 - 22 Aug 1945  Ishibashi
French Commissioner
25 Aug 1945 -  4 Jan 1946  Hans Imfeld (interim)              (b. 1902 - d. 1947)

                   to 1828 
 

Map of Wiang Chhan

Capital: Vientiane

1707                       Kingdom of Wiang Chhan resulting from the split of
                             the Kingdom of Lan Xang.
1778 - 1780                Occupied by Thailand.
1781 - 12 Nov 1828         Vassal of Thailand.
12 Nov 1828                Annexation by Siam (see Thailand).
17 Oct 1887                French colony (Vientiane - French deformation).
21 Aug 1941                Incorporation into Kingdom of Luang Phra Bang.

Kings
1707 - 1730                Setthathirath II                   (b. 1685 - d. 1730)
1730 - 1767                Ong Long
1767 - 1778                Ong Bun (1st time)                 (b. 1730 - d. 1781)
1778 - 1780                Phraya Supho -Tahi governor        (d. 1780)
1780 - Nov 1781            Ong Bun (2nd time)                 (s.a.)
21 Nov 1781 - Jan 1795     Nanthasen                          (d. 1795)
 2 Feb 1795 -  7 Feb 1805  Intharavong Setthathirath III      (d. 1805)
                             (crowned on 23 Jul 1795)
 7 Feb 1805 - 12 Nov 1828  Anuvong                            (b. 1767 - d. 1829)

               c.1713 - 27 Aug 1946
 

Map of Champasak

Capital: Paksé (Bassac to 1908)

161.                       Kingdom of Nakhon Kala Champaknaburisi founded.
1714                       Name changed to Nakhon Champa Nakhaburisi.
1791                       Name changed to Nakhon Champasak.
1772 - 1899                Vasal of Thailand.
1811 - 1813                Thai occupation.
1819 - 1821                Thai occupation.
1851 - 1856                Thai occupation.
1860 - 1863                Thai occupation.
22 Nov 1904                Principality under French protectorate.
15 Sep 1945                Part of Kingdom of Laos.
27 Aug 1946                Principality extinguished.

Kings
1700 - 1713?               Nan Rath
1713 - 1738                Nokasat                            (b. c.1690 - d. 1738)
1738 - 1791                Saya Kuman                         (b. 1710 - d. 1791)
                             (regent for Nokasat 1725-38)
1791                       Xiang Keo
1791 - 1811                Fai Na                             (d. 1811)
1811 (3 days)              No Muong                           (d. 1811) 
1811 - 1813                Cha Nou                            (d. 1813)
1813 - 1819                Ma Noi                             (d. 1821)
Dec 1819 - 1821            Thai occupation
1821 - 1827                Rajabud Yo
1827 - 1840                Hui                                (b. 1780 - d. 1840)
1840 - 1851                Nak (regent for Hui to 1840)       (b. 1774 - d. 1851)
1851 - 1852                Süa -Regent                        (d. 1852)
1852 - 1856                Thai occupation
1856 - 1858                Kham Nhai                          (b. 1830 - d. 1858)
1858 - 1860                Chu -Regent
1860 - 1863                Thai occupation
1863 - 28 Jul 1900         Kham Suk                           (b. 1838 - d. 1900)
28 Jul 1900 - 22 Nov 1904  Bua Laphan                         (b. 1874 - d. 1946)
Princes
22 Nov 1904 - Jun 1946     Bua Laphan                         (s.a.)
Jun 1946 - 27 Aug 1946     Boun Oum                           (b. 1912 - d. 1980)

698                        Müang Maharatanaburirom Phommachakkhati 
                             Simahanakkharatakkasela Nakhon Xiang Khuang Rajathani
                             state founded in the Plain of Jars.
889 - 1368                 Part of Khmer (Cambodian) empire.
1478 - ....                Vassal of Vietnam.
1568 - 1598                Vassal of Pegu (Burma).
1772 - 1835                Under Thai suzerainty.
1835                       Annexed by Thailand.
18..                       Annexed by Vietnam.
1848                       Restored as a vassal state of Vietnam.
1851                       Sovereignty restored.
1875                       Annexed by Thailand.
1876                       Sovereignty restored.
1887                       Made a vassal state of Thailand.
1888                       Annexed by Thailand.
 3 Oct 1893                Made a French colonial possession as part of Laos.
21 Aug 1941                Incorporated into Luang Phra Bang.

Kings (rath, chao xiwit)
1687 - 1688                Chao Kham Lan                      (d. 1688)
1688 - 1690                Chao Kham Phuttha                  (d. 1690)
1690 - 1694                Chao Kham Sattha                   (d. 1694)
1694                       Chao Bun Lang Thai                 (d. 1694)
1694 - 1698                Chao Bun Lot                       (d. 1698)
1698 - 1712                Chao Kham Bun Khong
1712 - 1714                Phraña Kham Thewo -Regent          (d. 1714)
                             (Phraña Thammatewo) 
1714 - 1740                Chao Bun Chan
1740 - 1751                Chao Kham Un Müang
1751 - 1753                Chao Ong Lo (1st time)
1753 (3 months)            Chao Ong Bun
1753 - 1779                Chao Ong Lo (2nd time)
1779 - 1781                Chao Ong Si Phom
1781 - 1782                Chao No Müang
1782 - 1802                Chao Som Phu
1802 - 1803                Chao Xiang
1803 - 1831                Chao Suthakasuvannakuman 
                             (Chao Noi)
1831 - 1835                Chao San -Regent
1835 - 1848                Annexed to Thailand, then Vietnam
1848 - 1865                Phra Chao Issarasettha (Chao Po)
1865 - 1874                Chao Üng
1875 - 1876                Annexed to Thailand
1876 - 1887                Chao Khanti
1887 - 1888                Thao Xiang Phet -Regent

15 Sep 1945                The united Kingdom of Laos proclaimed.
23 Sep 1945 - 12 Mar 1946  Allied (Chinese) occupation north of 16th parallel 
                             and British occupation below it.
23 Apr 1946                France re-establishes protectorate.
27 Aug 1946                France recognizes unification of Laos.
19 Jul 1949                French associated state.
22 Oct 1953                Independence (Kingdom of Laos).
21 Jul 1954                Independence recognized by France.
 2 Dec 1975                Lao People's Democratic Republic

General Secretary of the Lao People's Party (Phak Pativat Lao)(PPL)
(from Feb 1972, Lao People's Revolutionary Party [Phak Paxaxôn Pativat Lao, PPPL])
22 Mar 1955 - 29 Mar 1991  Kaysone Phomvihane                 (b. 1920 - d. 1992)
Presidents of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party
29 Mar 1991 - 21 Nov 1992  Kaysone Phomvihane                 (s.a.)
25 Nov 1992 - 21 Mar 2006  Khamtai Siphandon                  (b. 1924)
General Secretary the Lao People's Revolutionary Party
21 Mar 2006 -              Choummaly Sayasone                 (b. 1936) 

Kings (Rath)¹
15 Sep 1945 - 20 Oct 1945  Sisavang Vong (1st time)           (b. 1885 - d. 1959)
Chinese Occupation Commander
23 Sep 1945 - 12 Mar 1946  Lu Han (China)
Head of State
20 Oct 1945 - 23 Apr 1946  Prince Phetsarath Rattanavongga    (b. 1890 - d. 1959)  LI
Kings (Rath)¹
23 Apr 1946 - 29 Oct 1959  Sisavang Vong (2nd time)           (s.a.)
                             (King of Luang Phra Bang 15 May - 27 Aug 1946)
28 Nov 1946 - 25 Oct 1949  Prince Phetsarath Rattanavongga    (s.a.)               LI
                             (Head of State, in Bangkok exile) 
30 Oct 1959 -  2 Dec 1975  Savang Vatthana                    (b. 1907 - d. 1978?)
Presidents
 3 Dec 1975 - 15 Aug 1991  Prince Souphanouvong               (b. 1912 - d. 1995)  PPPL
31 Oct 1986 - 15 Aug 1991  Phoumi Vongvichit                  (b. 1909 - d. 1994)  PPPL
                             (acting for Souphanouvong)
15 Aug 1991 - 21 Nov 1992  Kaysone Phomvihane                 (s.a.)               PPPL
25 Nov 1992 - 24 Feb 1998  Nouhak Phoumsavan                  (b. 1914)            PPPL
24 Feb 1998 -  8 Jun 2006  Khamtai Siphandon                  (s.a.)               PPPL
 8 Jun 2006 -              Choummaly Sayasone                 (s.a.)               PPPL

Prime ministers

15 Sep 1945 - 20 Oct 1945  Prince Phetsarath Rattanavongga    (s.a.)               Non-party

20 Oct 1945 - 23 Apr 1946  Prince Phaya Khammao               (b. 1911 - d. 1984)  LI

                             (chairman of provisional government)

23 Apr 1946 - 15 Mar 1947  Prince Kindavong                   (b. 1900 - d. 1951)  Non-party

24 Apr 1946 - 25 Oct 1949  Prince Phaya Khammao               (s.a.)               LI

                             (in Bangkok, Thailand exile) 

15 Mar 1947 - 25 Mar 1948  Prince Souvannarath                (b. 1893 - d. 1960)  neutralist

25 Mar 1948 - 24 Feb 1950  Prince Boun Oum (1st time)         (b. 1912 - d. 1962)  neutralist

24 Feb 1950 - 15 Oct 1951  Phoui Sananikone (1st time)        (b. 1903 - d. 1983)  neutralist

21 Nov 1951 - 20 Oct 1954  Prince Souvanna Phouma (1st time)  (b. 1901 - d. 1984)  NPP

25 Nov 1954 - 21 Mar 1956  Katay Don Sasorith                 (b. 1904 - d. 1959)  NPP

21 Mar 1956 - 17 Aug 1958  Prince Souvanna Phouma (2nd time)  (s.a.)               NPP

17 Aug 1958 - 31 Dec 1959  Phoui Sananikone (2nd time)        (s.a.)               neutralist

31 Dec 1959 -  7 Jan 1960  Sounthone Pathammavong             (b. 1911)            CDNI/Mil

                             (Army Chief of Staff)

 7 Jan 1960 -  3 Jun 1960  Kou Abhay                          (b. 1892 - d. 1964)

 3 Jun 1960 - 15 Aug 1960  Prince Somsanith                   (b. 1913 - d. 1975)

30 Aug 1960 - 13 Dec 1960  Prince Souvanna Phouma (3rd time)  (s.a.) 

                             (from 9 Dec 1960, in Cambodia exile and at 

                             Ban Khangkhai, recognized by the communist states)

11 Dec 1960 - 13 Dec 1960  Quinim Pholsena (not recognized)   (b. 1915 - d. 1963)  PNP

13 Dec 1960 - 23 Jun 1962  Prince Boun Oum (2nd time)         (s.a.)               neutralist

23 Jun 1962 -  2 Dec 1975  Prince Souvanna Phouma (4th time)  (s.a.) 

Chairmen of the Council of Ministers (prime ministers)

 8 Dec 1975 - 15 Aug 1991  Kaysone Phomvihane                 (s.a.)               PPPL

15 Aug 1991 - 24 Feb 1998  Khamtai Siphandon                  (s.a.)               PPPL

24 Feb 1998 - 27 Mar 2001  Sisavath Keobounphanh              (b. 1928)            PPPL

27 Mar 2001 -  8 Jun 2006  Boungnang Vorachith                (b. 1937)            PPPL

 8 Jun 2006 -              Bouasone Bouphavanh                (b. 1954)            PPPL

 

 

French Commissioners

17 Mar 1946 - Apr 1946     Hans Imfeld (interim)              (b. 1902 - d. 1947)

Apr 1946 - Jul 1947        Jean Léon François Marie de        (b. 1907 - d. 1951)

                             Raymond 
Jul 1947 - Mar 1948        Maurice Marie Auguste Michaudel    (b. 1901 - d. 1975)
                             (interim)
Mar 1948 - Dec 1949        Alfred Gabriel Joseph Valmary      (b. 1901 - d. 1970)
                             (interim)
Dec 1949 - Apr 1953        Robert Regnier
Apr 1953 - Jan 1954        Miguel Joaquin de Pereyra
 

 

  Ethnic Hmong 'Chao Fah' flag

Territorial Disputes: Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels. 

Party abbreviations: PPPL = Phak Paxaxôn Pativat Lao (Revolutionary People's Party of Laos, part of mainly Vietnamese Indochinese Communist Party [DCSD] founded 1930 by Ho Chi Minh, a Committee for Laos est.1936; known 1950-1955 as Neo Lao Issara [Lao Freedom Front] which on  22 Mar 1955 became Lao People's Party [PPL]; renamed PPPL Feb 1972, dictatorial, communist -only Legal Party since 1975); Mil = Military;
- Former parties: CDNI = Committee for the Defense of the National Interests (rightist, military backed, 1958-196.); LI = Lao Issara (Free Laos, nationalist, anti-communist, 1945-47); NPP = Phak Xat Kao Na (National Progressive Party, 1951-58, became RLP); PNP = Peace and Neutrality Party; RLP = Lao Rouam Lao (Rally of the Lao People, est.1958)