Inthavong Explained

Chao Inthavong
Lao: ເຈົ້າອິນທະວົງສ໌
King of Vientiane
Succession:King of Vientiane
Reign:2 February 1795 – 7 February 1805
Full Name:Somdet Brhat Chao Indra Varman Jaya Setthadiraja Chandrapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Visudhirattana Rajadhanipuri Rama Lan Chang Krum Klao
Predecessor:Nanthasen
Successor:Anouvong
Regent:Anouvong
Reg-Type:Vice King
Succession1:Vice King of Vientiane
Reign1:1781 – 2 February 1795
Successor1:Anouvong
Regent1:Nanthasen
Reg-Type1:King
Regnal Name:Xaiya Setthathirath III
Father:Ong Boun
Birth Date:?
Birth Place:Vientiane, Lan Xang
Death Date:7 February 1805
Death Place:Vientiane

Chao Inthavong[1] (Lao: ເຈົ້າອິນທະວົງສ໌; Thai: เจ้าอินทวงศ์; died 7 February 1805), or known as his regnal name Xaiya Setthathirath III,[2] was the 5th king of the Kingdom of Vientiane (r. 1795 to 1805).

Inthavong was the second son of King Ong Boun. In 1778, he was taken as hostage by Siamese together with his siblings, including Nanthasen, Anouvong and Khamwaen.

After Nanthasen crowned the Vientiane king, he was appointed the oupahat ("vice king") of Vientiane. However, he had to live in Bang Phlat (Khwaeng Bang Yi Khan), Bangkok, where he entered the Siamese government service. After the Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút, Vietnamese ruler Nguyễn Ánh fled to Bangkok. There, Inthavong met Nguyễn Ánh. According to Vietnamese royal records, Inthavong "admired him".[3]

In 1791, the Tây Sơn invaded and occupied Vientiane. King Nanthasen had to temporarily flee to Siam. In 1795, King Nanthasen was deposed by Siamese, Inthavong crowned the new king. During Inthavong's reign, Vientiane made alliance with Nguyễn lord. In 1800[4] and 1801,[5] when Nguyễn army marched north to attack Tây Sơn dynasty, Inthavong ordered his forces to attack Nghệ An Province, cooperating with Nguyễn forces.[6]

Inthavong died on 7 February 1805. His younger brother Anouvong was appointed the new king by Siamese, and sent back to Vientiane.

References

Notes and References

  1. In Vietnamese records, he was called Chiêu Ấn (昭印).
  2. Book: The Kingdoms of Laos: Six Hundred Years of History . Peter Simms . Sanda Simms . 2001 . 978-0-7007-1531-2 .
  3. Đại Nam chính biên liệt truyện sơ tập, vol. 32, page 145
  4. Đại Nam chính biên liệt truyện sơ tập, vol. 32, page 148
  5. Đại Nam chính biên liệt truyện sơ tập, vol. 32, page 149
  6. [Trần Trọng Kim]