TTTheThe KKKiKiiingdomngdom of Laos ToToTo The Lao People’s Democratic Republic ຈາກ ພຣະຣາຊອານາພຣະຣາຊອານາຈຈກຈກລາວກ ັັັັ ລາວ ໄປສູ ່ ສາທາຣະນະຣດປະຊາທັັັັ ິິິິປະໄຕປະຊາຊນົົົົ ລາວ Flag of Laos Before 1975 After 1975 Published by the Study and Research Center on Laos and Asia Union for Lao Nation 2014 1 Throughout its long history, since the founding of the Kingdom of Lane Xang by the August King Fa Ngum in 1353, Laos has become an extended country covering a large territory in the West up to the plateau of Korat, in the North up to Lanna Northern of Thailand, once part of Shan State to Southern Son La Province (now Dien Bien Phu). In the South from Kone Tum (now Province of Vietnam)down to Strung Teng Province of Kampuchea. The unsettled situation since the 15 th century, due to aggression—invasion—and territorial expansion by its bigger and powerful neighboring countries, and a long period under French Protectorate as well as internal dissention and plotted intrigues, continuously ravaged the country. Even at the present, it becomes the object of the covetous lust of foreign interference; and the struggle for autonomy will continue until they regain their true independence and sovereignty which the August King Fa Ngum exemplified by his unification of the country. Current Laos merely covers 91,430 square miles. It’s the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, surrounded by five countries: China in the North, Myanmar in the Northwest, Thailand in the West, Cambodia in the South, and the longest Eastern border by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Prior to 1975, Laos was a constitutional monarchy, also known as the Country of a Million Elephants and White Parasol or Lane Xang Kingdom of Laos . The country was governed on the pattern of the British Royalty where the King was only symbol of the Unity of the multi-ethnic Lao people. The last King of the Lane Xang Kingdom of Laos was dethroned by the communist power on November 29, 1975. And on December 2, 1975, the Kingdom of Laos has become a Lao People’s Democratic Republic, a one party state. Turning point of Laos’ recent history*: At the end of the World War II, the Indochinese war began. It was a liberation war of nationalists of three countries: Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia against the French occupation. The Indochinese Union was established, led by Vietnam. This was the ultimate goals and dreams of Ho Chi Minh, the leader of the Communist Indochinese Party. In Laos, the Lao Issara (Free Laos Movement) was found, under the leadership of Prince Phetsarath, including his brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and half-brother Prince Souphanouvong. After the return of French forces, the Lao Issara fled to Thailand and formed the Lao Issara Government in Exile, led by Prince Phetsarath. Later on, the Government in Exile was divided into two clans. One agreed with the proposal of France to return to Laos and form a new government, led by Khammao Vilay, including Prince Souvanna Phouma. The other clan led by Prince Souphanouvong, went join the Viet Minh army under Ho Chi Minh leadership, saying that the independence given by France was fake and incomplete. Prince Phetsarath remained in Thailand, calling for unification for his return. The separation from the Lao Issara Government by Prince Souphanouvong and his joining the Viet Minh were the beginning of the broken Laotian society and the collapse of the Kingdom of Lao Lane Xang. After the defeat of France in Indochina war, a Peace Accord was signed on July 21, 1954 in Geneva, Switzerland, by the United States, Great Britain, France, Soviet Union, China, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The Accord disagreed to divide Laos into two Laos like Vietnam. However, it was resolved that two Northern provinces of Laos, Phongsaly and Houa Phanh (Sam Neua) were given to the Pathet Lao (Prince Souphanouvong Movement) as their base to assemble their armed forces. It was also agreed that complete withdraw of foreign armed troops was mandatory and no additional war weapons were permitted in Laos. On December 25, 1955, Prime Minister Prince Souvanna Phouma announced the national election, but Prince Souphanouvong refused to participate in the election. In creating the favorable environment for the nation reconciliation, Prince Souvanna Phouma, the leader of the _________________________________________________________________ * Article – LIRDALONA, a Lao Newsletter by former law students in Laos 2 Neutralist Party formed a temporary government to negotiate with the Pathet Lao to join the Royal Government in hope to resolve the nation conflicts. But his efforts collapsed as disputes on positions in the temporary government occurred. On May 12, 1957, Vientiane Agreement was reached, allowing the Neo Lao Hak Xat Party’s armed forces to be integrated into the National Army. The Pathet Lao changed their name to Neo Lao Hak Xat Party. On March 4, 1958, the national election took place. The Neo Lao Hak Xat Party won 20 seats out of the total 59 seats, marking a net success of the Neo Lao Hak Xat Party. The composition of the government was: - Prime Minister and Minister of Posts & Telecommunications, and Information: Prince Souvanna Phouma - Minister of Interior and Social Welfare: Katay Donh-Sasorith Deputy Minister of Interior: Tiao Somsanith - Minister of Foreign Affairs: Phoui Sananikone - Minister of Education: Gnouy Abhay - Minister of Finance: Leuam Insixiengmai Deputy Minister of Finance: Tiao Nith Nokham - Minister of Defense, Veterans, Sports and Youth: Ngone Sananikone - Minister of Economy: Ounheuane Norasing Deputy Minister of Economy Nouphat Chounramany - Minister of Public Works and Transportation: Tiao Souk Bouavong ** Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transportation: Bouasy - Minister of Health and Tourism: Dr. Oudom Souvannavong - Minister of Planning, Reconstruction and Urbanism: Prince Souphanouvong ** - Minister of Justice: Thongdy Sounthonevichit - Minister of Cults and Arts: Phoumy Vongvichith ** - This was the first national unification - It is worthwhile to note that in fact, at that time, the Kingdom of Laos was still divided: Each side had its own territory, its own administration, and its own army. This had caused huge challenges and obstacles all along for Laos. Moreover, each side was supported and backed up by foreign countries, creating mistrust toward one another. The entire nation was overjoyed when the Coalition Government was finally formed. The peace was finally here. Unfortunately, it was only a dream. Laos was pulled again in different directions by foreign forces. The two sides were unable to trust one another, looking for one another weakness and fault; especially the Neo Lao Hak Xat who made every effort to take advantage of the situation to destroy the unity within the Coalition Government. On June 13, 1958, in order to balance the power in the government, the faction who embraced the neutrality established the “Lao Hom Lao” (Lao Unification) Party, under Prince Souvanna Phouma leadership, assisted by Katay Donh-Sasorith and Phoui Sananikone. And on the 29 th the same month, a group of educated nationalists created a Movement called “Committee for the National Interests Protection” supported by General Phoumi Nosavan and the United States of America. The Committee’s goals were to stop the communist movement and destroy its machine, in the efforts to prevent it advance into the Laotian society and spreading this evil doctrine into other Asian countries. The United States poured $US currency into Laos in these efforts, creating inevitable inflation in Laos and by there the unstable economy. Apr. 14, 1959 Prince Phetsarath returned home following the nation invitation. Apr. 15, 1959 Prince Phethsarath was reappointed Vice Roy of the Kingdom of Laos, by H.M. the King. Oct. 15, 1959 Prince Phetsarath died. Oct. 29, 1959 H.M. the King Sisavang Vong died. Nov. 1, 1959 Crown Prince Savang Watthana was enthroned. ** Held by the Neo Lao Hak Xat 3 Prince Souvanna Phouma resigned as he failed to reconcile the national conflicts, and appointed Phoui Sananikone to form a new government who also failed to unify the country. The Neo Lao Hak Xat who never complied to the Geneva Peace Accord nor obeyed to the government’s order to lay down weapons and dissolved their armed forces and be integrated in the Royal Army. Contrarily, the Neo Lao Hak Xat troops were fighting the Royal army in Luang Prabang. As a result, 17 members of the Neo Lao Hak Xat including Prince Souphanouvong were imprisoned in Vientiane detention center for rebellion. But with the prison guards’ complicity, the Neo Lao Hak Xat escaped and rejoined their base in the North. Laos was in great turmoil. The Neo Lao Hak Xat, who were backed up by the Soviet Union and North Vietnam, consolidated their armed forces trained and controlled for all activities by North Vietnamese since till today. The Soviet Union openly provided support to the Neo Lao Hakxat in the name of the communist bloc, creating a conflict between the super powers of the free world camp and the communist camp. As a result, under tremendous pressure and with no choice, Laos was pulled into the international political stage. The situation in Laos was in decay. The hopes for peace and national reconciliation were destroyed. On August 9, 1960, a military coup took place, staged by General Kong Le the commander of the 2 nd Parachutist Battalion (he was then a captain). The Revolutionary Committee called upon Prince Souvanna Phouma to form and lead a new government to resolve the national issues. The new government included all faction members except the Neo Lao Hak Xat, which was opposed by the United States who immediately cut aids to Laos. On September 10, 1960, to oppose to the new government tendency toward the neutrality policy, General Phoumy Nosavan ordered the Army 3rd and 4 th Divisions to ignore the Constitution and expel General Kong Le’s government and his armed forces from Vientiane.