| Royal Title: | King |
| Realm: | Laos |
| Coatofarms: | Royal Seal of the Kingdom of Laos.svg |
| Coatofarmssize: | 120px |
| Coatofarmscaption: | Royal Coat of arms |
| First Monarch: | Fa Ngum |
| Last Monarch: | Sisavang Vatthana |
| Style: | His Royal Majesty |
| Residence: | Royal Palace, Luang Prabang |
| Appointer: | Hereditary |
| Began: | 1353 (Kingdom of Lan Xang) |
| Ended: | 2 December 1975 (Lao People's Democratic Republic) |
| Pretender: | Soulivong Savang |
The Lao People's Democratic Republic is the modern state derived from the final Kingdom of Laos. The political source of Lao history and cultural identity is the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, which during its apogee emerged as one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Lao history is filled with frequent conflict and warfare, but infrequent scholarly attention. The resulting dates and references are approximate, and rely on source material from court chronicles which survived both war and neglect, or outside sources from competing neighboring kingdoms in what are now China, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Lao kingship was based upon the mandala system established by the example of King Ashoka. In theory, Lao kings and their successors were chosen by agreement of the king's Sena (a council which could include senior royal family members, ministers, generals and senior members of the sangha or clergy), through the validity the king's lineage, and by personal Dharma through commitment to propagating Theravada Buddhism (the king was literally a Dharmaraja- as one who led by acts of religious virtue). Kingship was not based exclusively on primogeniture or divine right as was common in other monarchies.
The monarchy traces its lineage to Chao Fa Ngum, who founded the Kingdom of Lan Xang in 1353 and beyond that to the mythical Khun Borom who was held as the mythical father of the Tai peoples and the progenitor of the Lao Loum.
Lan Xang endured as a politically unified entity for three hundred years (1353–1694), which was then split into the kingdoms of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Champasak, only to be reconstituted as a unified constitutional monarchy under a French protectorate in 1946. At various times the kingdom Lan Xang fought off invasions from Burma, Siam and the Đại Việt.
The traditional capital of Lan Xang was at Luang Prabang until it was moved in 1560 by King Setthathirath to better administer the growing population and provide security in facing threats from Burma and Siam. Lan Xang entered a Golden Age during the reigns of Visunarat (1501–1520) and Sourigna Vongsa from (1637–94), during these times the cultural and economic power of the kingdom were at their greatest. In 1828 Vientiane was razed by the Siamese, in retaliation for the Chao Anouvong Rebellion, at which point the kingdom of Vientiane ceased to exist. During the French Protectorate, Luang Prabang was reestablished as the cultural and religious capital, while the French rebuilt Vientiane as the country's administrative capital.
See main article: Lan Xang. The following is a list of Lan Xang kings from the founding in 1353 by Fa Ngum, to the succession disputes following the death of Souligna Vongsa, and partition of the Kingdom in 1707.
| Name | Portrait | Regnal Name | Birth | Reign from | Reign until | Death | Relationship with predecessors | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fa Ngumພຣະເຈົ້າຟ້າງຸ້ມມະຫາຣາຊ | Somdetch Brhat-Anya Fa Ladhuraniya Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Maharaja Brhat Rajadharana Sri Chudhana Negara ສົມເດັດ ພຣະບາດ ອັນຍາ ຟ້າ ລັດທຸຣັນຍາ ສຣີ ຣາຊະທໍຣະນາ ສຣີ ສັດຕະນາ ນະຄອນ | 1316Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 5 January 1353 | 1372 | 1373Muang Nan, Nan Aged 57 | Son of Khun Phi Fa | [1] | ||
| Samsenethaiສາມແສນໄທ (Oun Huan) ອຸ່ນເຮືອນ | Samdach Brhat-Anya Samu Sena Daya Daya Buvana Natha Adipati Sri Sadhana Kanayudhaສົມເດັຈພຣະຍາ ສາມແສນໄທ ໄຕຣ໌ພູວະນາທອາທິປັຕ ສຼີສັຕນາຄະນາຫຸທ | 1357Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1372 | 1416Muang Sua, Lan Xang Aged 60 | Son of Fa Ngum | [2] | |||
| Lan Kham Dengພະເຈົ້າລ້ານຄຳແດງ | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Lamakamadinga | 1387Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1417 | 1428Muang Sua, Lan Xang Aged 41 | Son of Samsenethai | [3] | |||
| Phommathatພະຍາພົມມະທັດ | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Brahma-kumara Bhumadaraja | ?Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1428 | 1429Muang Sua, Lan Xang | Lan Kham Deng's oldest son | Reigned 10 months | |||
| Yukhon (Meunsai) | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Yugandhara | ?Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1429 | 1430Phadao, Lan Xang | Younger brother of Phommathat | Reigned 8 months[4] | |||
| Khon Kham | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Kunikama | ?Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1430 | 1432Kokrua, Lan Xang | Son of King Samsenthai | Reigned 18 months[5] | |||
| Kham Tam Sa (Kham Teu | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Kama Dharmasara | ?Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1429(?); 1432Pak Houei Luang, Lan Xang | Reigned 5 months[6] | |||||
| Lusai | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Luvana Jaya Chakrapati Phen-Pheo | ?Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1432 | 1433Palace Gardens, Muang Sua, Lan Xang | Reigned 6 months [7] | ||||
| Khai Bua Ban | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Kaya Buvanabana | ?Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1433 | 1436 | 1438Sop Kham, Lan Xang | Grandson of Samsenthai | [8] | ||
| Kham Keut (Kham-Kert, Kham Keul) | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Kama Kirti | ?Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1436 | 1438Muang Sua, Lan Xang | Illegitimate son of Samsenethai | ||||
| Nang Keo Phimphaນາງແກ້ວພິມພາ | Samdach Brhat-Anya Sadu Chao Nying Kaeva Bhima Fa Mahadeviສົມເດັຈພຣະຍາ ສາທຸເຈົ້າຍິງ ແກ້ວພິມພາ ມະຫາເທວີ | 1343 | 1438Pha-Dieo, Muang Sua Aged 95 | [9] | |||||
| Interregnum (1438–1441, rule by Sena and members of Sangha)[10] | |||||||||
| Chakkaphat Phaen Phaeo (Sai Tia Kaphut or Xainyachakkaphat) | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Sanaka Chakrapati Raja Phen-Phaeo Bhaya Jayadiya Kabuddha | 1415Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 1441 | 1479 | 1481Muang Xieng Khane, Lan Xang Aged 66 | Son of Samsenthai | [11] | ||
| Souvanna Banlang | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Suvarna Panya Lankara Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1455Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang | 1479 | 1485Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang Aged 30 | Son of Chakkaphat Phaen Phaeo | ||||
| La Sen Thai (La Sen Thai Puvanart) | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Lankasena Daya Buvananatha Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1462Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang | 1486 | 1495Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang Aged 33 | Youngest brother of Suvarna Banlang | [12] | |||
| Somphou | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Jumbuya Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1486Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang | 1495 | 1500 | 1501Muang Sua, Lan Xang Aged 15 | Son of La Sen Thai | 1495-1497, under regency by his uncle[13] | ||
| Visoun (also Vixun or Visunarat) | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Visunha Rajadipati Pada Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1465Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang | 1500 | 1520Vientianne, Lan Xang Aged 55 | Son of Sai Tia Kaphut | [14] | |||
| Photisarath I (also Phothisarath, Phothisarat, or Potisarat)ພະເຈົ້າໂພທິສະລາດ | Samdach Brhat-Anya Budhisara Maha Dharmikadasa Lankanakuna Maharaja Adipati Chakrapati Bhumina Narindra Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1505Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang | 1520 | 8 August 1548Xieng-Mai Nhotnakorn Palace, Vientiane, Lan Xang Aged 43 | |||||
| Setthathirath ເສດຖາທິຣາດ (also Xaysettha, Chaiyachettha, Chaiyaset or Jayajestha) ໄຊເສດຖາ | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Udaya Budhara Buvana Brhat Jaya Setha Maharajadiraja Buvanadi Adipati Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 24 January 1534Muang Sua, Lan Xang | 8 August 1548 | 1571Muang Ong-Kan, Attapeu, Lan Xang Aged 37 | Son of Photisarath | Also King of Lanna r. 1546-1551 [15] | |||
| Nokeo Koumane | Samdach Brhat Vora Ratana Dharmapasuta Sethakassa Atsanachandra Suvarna Samudhi Khakharattanasara Raja Bupati | 1571Vientianne, Lan Xang | 1571 | 1596Aged 25 | Son of Setthathirath | First reign as a baby under regency | |||
| Sen Soulintha (also Saen Surintha or Sen Sourintha, born Chane Tian) | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Sumangala Ayaka Budhisana Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1511Nong-Khai, Siam | 1572 | 1575 | 1582Vientianne, Lan Xang Aged 71 | Not of royal descent | First reign. [16] | ||
| Voravongsa I | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Brhatasena Vora Varman Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1575 | 1579Keng Chane pass, Vientiane, Lan Xang | Son of Photisarath | Burmese vassal[17] | |||
| Sen Soulintha (also Saen Surintha or Sen Sourintha, born Chane Tian) | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Sumangala Ayaka Budhisana Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1511Nong-Khai, Siam | 1580 | 1582Vientianne, Lan Xang Aged 71 | Not of royal descent | Second reign [18] | |||
| Nakhon Noi | Samdach Brhat Chao Samdach Brhat Chao Negara Nawi Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1582 | 1583 | ?Toungoo Empire | Son of Sen Soulintha. Not of royal descent. | [19] | ||
| Interregnum (1583–1591) | |||||||||
| Nokeo Koumane | Samdach Brhat Vora Ratana Dharmapasuta Sethakassa Atsanachandra Suvarna Samudhi Khakharattanasara Raja Bupati | 1571Vientianne, Lan Xang | 1591 | 1596Aged 25 | Son of Setthathirath | [20] | |||
| Voravongsa II (Thammikarath) | Vara Varman Dharmika Raja Jaya | 1585 | 1596 | 1621 | 1622Aged 37 | Nephew of Setthathirath | [21] | ||
| Oupagnouvarath | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Upayuvaraja | 1597 | 1621 | 1622Aged 25 | Son of Voravongsa | [22] | |||
| Photisarath II | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Bandita Buddhisa Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1552 | 1622 | 1627Aged 75 | Son or grandson of Sen Soulintha Not of royal descent | [23] | |||
| Mon Keo (Mongkeo) | Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Manikya Kaeva Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1627 | 1633 | Son of Voravongsa | [24] | |||
| Tone Kham | Samdach Brhat Chao Dharmakama Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1633 | 1637 | Son of Mon Keo | [25] | |||
| Vichai | Samdach Brhat Chao Vijaya Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1637 | 1638 | Son of Mon Keo | ||||
| Souligna Vongsa (Sourinyavongsa) ສຸຣິຍະວົງສາທັມມິກຣາດ | Samdach Brhat Chao Suriyalinga Varman Dharmika Raja Parama Pavitra Prasidhadhiraja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1618Vientiane, Lan Xang | 1638 | 1694Vientiane, Lan Xang Aged 76 | Son of Tone Kham | 2nd Golden Age of Lan Xang [26] | |||
| Tian Thala | Samdach Brhat Chao Devaniasena Chandralaya Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1694 | 1695 | 1696 | Not of royal descent. | Senior minister who usurped the throne reigning for 6 months.[27] | ||
| Nan Tharat | Samdach Brhat Chao Phya Nanda Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1695 | 1698Vientiane, Lan Xang | Grandson of Vichai | [28] | |||
| Setthathirath II ພຣະເຈົ້າໄຊອົງເວ້(Sai Ong Hue; Ong Lo; Trieu Phuc) ໄຊອົງເວ້ | Somdetch Brhat Chao Maha Sri Jaya Setha Adiraja Darmikaraja Chandrapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1685Huế, Đại Việt | 1698 | 1706 | 1730Royal Palace, Vientiane Aged 45 | Nephew of Souligna Vongsa (whose father was exiled to Vietnam) | [29] | ||
See main article: Kingdom of Vientiane. Kingdom of Vientiane was formed in 1707 as a result of the succession dispute between Sai Ong Hue with his backing from the Vietnamese court at Huế and Kingkitsarat (a grandson of Souligna Vongsa) who was backed by the Tai Lü kingdom of Sipsong Panna. From 1707 until the annihilation of Vientiane in 1828, the kingdom would at various times be in rivalry with the kingdoms of Luang Prabang and Champasak, although they remained loosely confederated by cultural and historic affinity. By the mid-eighteenth century, the individual Lao kingdoms were simultaneously paying tribute to Burma, China, Siam and Vietnam. Following the Rebellion of Chao Anouvong in 1828, Vientiane was destroyed and both the kingdoms of Vientiane and Champasak falls to the Siamese in 1828. The kingship of Vientiane ends and all territories are annexed to Siam.[30] General Ratchasuphawadi oversees the depopulation of the kingdom and forced relocation to Isaan. The city itself was leveled leaving only Wat Si Saket standing, along with the partial ruins of the Ha Pra Keo, That Dam Stupa, and That Luang Stupa. In 1867, Louis de Carne a part of the Francis Garnier exploratory mission noted that:
“A flourishing capital has been annihilated in our own days, and an entire people has, in some sort, disappeared, without Europe even having suspected such scenes of desolation-without even a solitary echo of this long cry of despair having reached her.”[31]
| Name | Portrait | Regnal Name | Birth | Reign from | Reign until | Death | Relationship with predecessors | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setthathirath IIພຣະເຈົ້າໄຊອົງເວ້ (Sai Ong Hue; Ong Lo; Trieu Phuc) ໄຊອົງເວ້ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Jaya Setha Adiraja Darmikaraja Chandrapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | 1685Huế, Annam | 1707 | 1730Royal Palace, Vientiane Aged 45 | Nephew of Souligna Vongsa | ||||
| Ong Longເຈົ້າອົງລອງ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Ungalankaya Chandapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1730 | 1767 | Son of Sai Ong Hue | Burmese vassal, 1765–1768 | |||
| Ong Bounອົງບຸນ (Siribunyasarn)(Ong Bun Setthathirath III) Phrachao Siribounyasan ພຣະເຈົ້າສິຣິບຸນຍະສາຣ | Samdach Brhat Chao Dharma Adi Varman Maha Sri Bunyasena Jaya Setha Adiraja Chandrapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1767 | 1779 | 28 November 1781 | 1st reign. Burmese vassal)[32] | |||
| Interregnum (1778–1780). Phraya Supho appointed governor by Siamese, led by General Taksin. Vientiane falls and is sacked by the Siamese (1779) | |||||||||
| Ong Bounອົງບຸນ (Siribunyasarn)(Ong Bun Setthathirath III) Phrachao Siribounyasan ພຣະເຈົ້າສິຣິບຸນຍະສາຣ | Samdach Brhat Chao Dharma Adi Varman Maha Sri Bunyasena Jaya Setha Adiraja Chandrapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1780 | 28 November 1781 | Son of Sai Ong Hue | 2nd reign, returns as vassal to Siam | |||
| Nanthasenພຣະເຈົ້ານັນທະເສນ | Samdach Brhat Chao Anandasena Bungmalaya Chandapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Visudhirattana Rajadhanipuri Rama Lanjang Krum Klao | ? | 28 November 1781 | January 1795 | June/July 1795Bangkok | Son of Ong Boun | Returns Pra Bang to Vientiane, vassal to Siam, but recalled for plotting a rebellion | ||
| Intharavongເຈົ້າອິນທະວົງສ໌ (Intharavong Setthathirath IV) | Samdach Brhat Chao Indra Varman Jaya Setthadiraja Chandapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Visudhirattana Rajadhanipuri Rama Lanjang Krum Klao | ? | 2 February 1795 | 7 February 1805 | Vassal to Siam | ||||
| Anouvongເຈົ້າອານຸວົງສ໌ (Anouvong or Anurath, Setthahirath V) | Samdach Paramanadha Parama Bupati Samdach Brhat Pen Chao Singhadhanuraja, Samdach Brhat Parama Bupati Brhat Maha Kashatriya Khatiya Adipati Jayasettha Jatikasuriya Varman, Angga Penh Brhat Yuhuanaya Mahanegara Chandrapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Visudhirattana Rajadhanipuri Rama Lanjang Krum Klao | 1767Vientiane | 7 February 1805 | 19 December 1828 | 25th/26 January 1829
Aged 628 | Son of Ong Boun and Brother of Inthavong | Led the Lao rebellion (1826–1828) against Siam | ||
See main article: Kingdom of Champasak. The Kingdom of Champasak declared itself independent from the Kingdom of Vientiane in 1713. The Kingdom of Champasak comprised the area south of the Xe Bang River as far as Stung Treng together with the areas of the lower Mun and Xi rivers on the Khorat Plateau (now the Isaan area of modern Thailand). The Kingdom was annexed by Siam in 1829 following the Chao Anouvong Rebellion, and subsequent kings were confirmed in Bangkok. From 1893 French took administrative control over parts of the kingdom, in 1904 the kingdom was reduced to a provincial governorship but still included the political involvement of the Na Champasak royal family. From 1941 to 1945 Thailand exploited France's weakness during World War II to acquire Champasak and other Lao lands on the right bank of the Mekong. In 1946 Champasak was ceded back to France and Chao Boun Oum remitted all claims to an independent kingship in order to unify Laos. The Kingdom of Laos (1946–75) was then formed under the Luang Prabang line of kingship.
| Name | Portrait | Regnal Name | Birth | Reign from | Reign until | Death | Relationship with predecessors | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nokasad (Soysisamut Phutthangkun) | Somdetch Brhat Chao Jaya Sri Samudra Buddhangkura | 1693Poosangor Horkam | 1713 | 1738Khorat Plateau Aged 45 | Grandson of Sourigna Vongsa | ||||
| Sayakumane (Pha Photi Chao) | Somdetch Brhat Chao Brhat Bodhi Chao Angka Luang Jaya Kumara | 1710 | 1738 | 1791Champa Nagapurisiri Aged 81 | Son of Nokasat | ||||
| Fay Na(Vichaiyarat Khattiyawongsa) | Brhat Vijaya King Khatiya Varman | ? | 1791 | 1811 | Not of royal descent | Appointed by Siam | |||
| Somdetch Brhat Chao Anuya | ? | 1811 | 1811 | Died after 3 days of rule | |||||
| 1811 – 1813 Interregnum | |||||||||
| Manoi | Somdetch Brhat Chao Bhumi Maha Nawi | ? | 1813 | 1820 | 1821 | Nephew of Sayakumane | |||
| Nho | Chao Raja Putra Sadet Chaofa Jaya Nyô | ? | 1820 | 1827 | 1828 | Son of Anouvong, King of Vientiane | Chao Yo, House of Vientiane. | ||
| 1829–93 Siam annexes Champasak following the Chao Anouvong Rebellion and confirms subsequent kings | |||||||||
| H'ui, Brhat Chao | 1780 | 1827 | 1841Himlot, Champassak Aged 61–63 | Great grandson of Nokasad | |||||
| Brhat Chao Nagaraja Negara Champasakti | 1774 | 1841 | 1851Bangkok, Siam Aged 76 | Brother of Huy | Appointed by the King of Siam on brother's death. Died from cholera in 1851. | ||||
| Brhat Chao Buwana | ? | 1851 | 1853Bangkok, Siam | Son of No Muong and Cousin of Nark | Appointed by King of Siam as Regent: 1851–1853. | ||||
| Interregnum (1853–1855) Prince Suriya, Uparaja, acted as Regent. He died at 1855. | |||||||||
| Brhat Chao Yudhi Dharma Sundaragana Negara Champasakti | 1830Himlot, Champassak | 1856 | 1858Himlot, Champassak Aged 28 | Son of Huy | Appointed by King of Siam at 1856. Died at Himlot, 1858 with no male issue. | ||||
| Interregnum (1858–63) | |||||||||
| Brhat Chao Yudhi Dharmadhara Negara Champasakti | 1839Himlot, Champassak | 1863 | 28 July 1900Bassac, Champassak Aged 62 | Son of Huy and Brother of Kham Nai | Succeeded upon death of older brother. Reigned under the regency of the Uparaja, until he came of age and was invested with full ruling powers as Chao Muang Nakhon Champassak (Prince Governor of the State of Champasakti) by the King of Siam, 1863. Received Mons Carné, the French envoy, 1866. Returned to Bassac, where he constructed a new palace and re-established the old capital, February 1874. He revived the fortunes of the principality. The early part of his reign saw a considerable increase in population and agricultural production, enabling him to create ten new muang. However, the Siamese slowly increased their presence, appointing their own commissioners to oversea governance in 1884, placing the state under the control of a regional Governor-General in 1891. 38% of revenues were sent directly to the treasury in Bangkok, 59% spent on regional Siamese administrators, and just 3% left to the local administration. War between Siam and France was concluded in 1893, with the loss of half the territory on the east bank of the Mekong, in 1893. Granted the precedence of a vassal ruler at the Court of Bangkok, immediately after the Prime Minister. France divided the kingdom in 1893 | ||||
| Ratsadanay (Nhouy) | Somdet Brhat Chao Buvanarabarna Rajadhanaya Negara Champasakti | 1874Bassac, Champassak | 28 July 1900 | 19 September 1904 | November 1945Bassac, Champassak Aged 71 | Son of Kham Souk | Succeeded upon death of father. Appointed by King of Siam. Forced to accept French protection when Siam transferred sovereignty to the French Republic on 19 September 1904, under the terms of the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 13 February 1904. The principality was abolished by the French on 22 November 1904, retaining his styles, titles and honours for life. Appointed as Governor of the Province of Bassac under the French colonial authorities on 14 October 1905, with the capital of the new province being established at Pakse in 1908. He served in that capacity until forced into retirement on reaching the age of sixty, 21 December 1934. He was subsequently recognised as Hereditary Prince of Champasakti 11 March 1941, comprising all the former territories of the old kingdom following the Thai conquest on 22 January 1941. France was forced to retrocede the province to Thailand following Japanese mediation on 9 May 1941, but they were invited by Prince Boum Oum to reoccupy Pakse on 14 September 1945. King under protectorate of French Indochina; Had the title of regional governor between 1905–1934. Died from cancer, at Bassac, November 1945. | ||
| Boun Oum | Sadet Chao Bunuma na Champassak | 2 December 1912Don Talad, near Bassac, Champassak | – | – | 17 March 1980Boulogne-Billancourt, France | Son of Ratsadanay | Renounced his rights in order to facilitate the establishment of a united Kingdom of Laos under the King of Luang Prabang on 18 August 1946 (with effect from 26 August 1946). Recognised by a confidential protocol by the King on 27 August 1946 as hereditary Prince of Champasakti by direct male descent (confirmed and granted precedence immediately after the Heir Apparent, 20 January 1949). He died at Boulogne-Billancourt, France, 17 March 1980 (bur. Villetaneuse) | ||
See main article: Kingdom of Luang Prabang. With the division of Lan Xang, the city of Luang Prabang recovered its prestige as a royal city, since the capital had moved to Vientiane with Setthathirath in 1560. The city was a growing center for religion and trade, but remained politically weak and would be sacked by the Burmese in 1764. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Kingdom endured as a vassal to China, Siam, Burma, and Vietnam. In 1828 following Chao Anouvong's Rebellion the kingdom was annexed by Siam. Despite their vassal status the Kings of Luang Prabang exercised a degree of autonomy, but lacked the security apparatus to effectively defend the kingdom (which may have been used in rebellion, as had been done in the kingdoms of Vientiane and Champasak). As a result, throughout the mid-19th century Haw pirates from China were able to invade.
| Name | Portrait | Regnal Name | Birth | Reign from | Reign until | Death | Relationship with predecessors | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingkitsarat(Kitsarat) ເຈົ້າກິງກິດສະຣາດ | Samdach Brhat Chao Brhat Kinkidsaraja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1706 | 1713 | 1713Luang Prabang | Grandson of Souligna Vongsa | King of Lan Xang Hom Khao Luang Prabang, elder son of Prince Indra Brahma, Chao Raja Yudha, by his wife, Princess Chandra Kumari, educ. privately. He fled to his mother's family in Muang Phong, in Sipsòng Panna in 1700. Returned to Luang Prabang at the head of an army in 1705 and expelled Sethathirat's Viceroy. Took control of the northern provinces of the kingdom, established his capital at Luang Prabang and proclaimed as King. Crowned with the title of Samdach Brhat Chao Brhat Kinkidsaraja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha, at Luang Prabang, 1706. Unable to gain control over the rest of the kingdom, he was forced to accept the intervention of the King of Siam, who negotiated the establishment of the two realms of Lan-Xang Vientiane and Lan-Xang Luang Prabang 1707. | ||
| Samdach Brhat Chao Brhat Parama Khattiya Varman Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ?Chiang Hung (Sipsong Panna) | 1713 | 1723 | 1759Chiang Mai, Lan Na | Cousin of Kingkitsarat and Inthasom | Co-ruled with Inthasom who then deposed him in 1723. Ong Kham was later crowned King of Lan Na (r.1727–1759) | |||
| Inthasom(Thao Ang) ເຈົ້າອິນທະໂສມ | Samdach Brhat Chao Raja Indra Sena Parama Pavitra Sri Tatana Udana Chakrapatiraja Chao Anga Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1723 | 1749 | 1749Luang Phrabang | Brother of Kingkitsarat and Grandson of Souligna Vongsa | He marched on Luang Prabang after learning of the death of King-Kitsarath in 1713, believing that he had a superior claim to his cousin. However, instead of going to war, the two cousins agreed to share power and he was invested as Viceroy with the title of Maha Upparaja. After ten years of joint rule, he tired of his subordinate position and seized power in 1723 by shutting the gates of the capital city against Khattiya Varman, after he had gone out to hunt turtle doves. As a counterweight to the growing power of the Burmese, relations with China were opened with the dispatch of a tribute mission in 1723, followed by two others in 1734 and 1753. | ||
| Vietnamese invasion repelled (1749) | |||||||||
| Inthaphom (Intharavongsa) | Samdach Brhat Chao Indra Varman Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1749 | 1749 | 1776 | Son of Inthasom | Defeated the Annamese invasion in 1749. Crowned King instead of his older brothers. Abdicated 8 months later for his elder brother. | ||
| Sotika Koumaneເຈົ້າໂຊຕິກະ | Samdach Brhat Chao Devabangsa Jathika Kumara Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1749 | 1764 | 1771Luang Phrabang | Son of Inthasom and Brother of Inthaphom | Succeeded on Abdication of his younger brother. | ||
| Burmese invasion (1764/65, aided by Vientiane), Luang Prabang becomes Burmese vassal state, 1765–1771 | |||||||||
| Sotika Koumaneເຈົ້າໂຊຕິກະ | Samdach Brhat Chao Devabangsa Jathika Kumara Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1764 | 1768/1771 | 1771Luang Phrabang | Son of Inthasom and Brother of Inthaphom | Vassal to Burma, purported to have abdicated by 1768 but died by 1771 | ||
| Surinyavong IIເຈົ້າສຸລິຍະວົງສາທີ່ສອງ | Samdach Brhat Chao Suriya Varman Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1771 | 1779/1788 | 1791Bangkok, Siam | Brother of Sotika Koumane and Son of Inthasom | Purported to have succeeded the throne by 1768 due to abdication but seized the throne by 1771. Rebelled against Burma in 1771, following the sack of Vientiane, he is defeated and remains a Burmese vassal. By 1778, he throws off his Burmese allegiance but is instead forced to become a vassal of Siam by 1779-1788. | ||
| Luang Prabang becomes Siamese vassal state, 1779-1792 | |||||||||
| Surinyavong IIເຈົ້າສຸລິຍະວົງສາທີ່ສອງ | Samdach Brhat Chao Suriya Varman Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha | ? | 1779 | 1788 | 1791Bangkok, Siam | Brother of Sotika Koumane and Son of Inthasom | By 1778, he throws off his Burmese allegiance but is instead forced to become a vassal of Siam by 1779-1788. By May 1788 – 1792, he and the Royal Family is detained as hostage in Bangkok by order of the Siamese King. He dies in detention at 1791. | ||
| Luang Prabang is administered by Siamese appointed governors during detention of the Royal Family at Bangkok (1788-1792) | |||||||||
| Anourouthເຈົ້າອານຸຣຸດທະ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Udama Varman Krung Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Udarattanapuri Rama Brahma Chakrapati Mahanayaka Maharajadhana Lanjang Krung Klao Anuradhuratta | 1737 | 3 February 1792 | 1817 | 31 December 1819Luang Prabang Aged 82 | Brother of Surinyavong II and Son of Inthasom | Short Interregnum from 1791 to 1792 with the death of Surinyavong II. King of Siam recognizes Anourouth as successor to his brother and is permitted to return to Luang Prabang, crowned as Viceroy in 1792. He is eventually deposed by the Siamese and sent back as a prisoner to Bangkok. He is restored again by 2 June 1794. | ||
| Mantha Tourathເຈົ້າມັນທາຕຸຣາດ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Luang Prabang Mangthaduraja | 1772Luang Prabang | 1817 | 1825 | 7 March 1837Royal Palace, Luang Prabang Aged 65 | Son of Anourouth | Succeeded his father. Served as a monk in Bangkok, leaving Luang Prabang to be administered by Siamese officials, 1825-1826. | ||
| Luang Prabang is administered by Siamese officials (1825-1826) | |||||||||
| Mantha Tourathເຈົ້າມັນທາຕຸຣາດ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Luang Prabang Mangthaduraja | 1772Luang Prabang | 1826 | 1836 | 7 March 1837Royal Palace, Luang Prabang Aged 65 | Son of Anourouth | Returned to Luang Prabang and resumed executive powers in 1826. Sought vassalage with Vietnam against Siam | ||
| Provinces of Luang Phrabang in rebellion against Siam (1835-1838) | |||||||||
| Soukha Seumເຈົ້າສຸຂະເສີມ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Luang Prabang Sukra Sumaya | 1797 | 1838 | 1850 | 23 September 1850Palace of Xieng-Méne Aged 53 | Son of Mantha Tourath | Succeeded on the death of his father, 7 March 1837. Being a Siamese hostage in Bangkok, he was not recognized and allowed to return to Luang Prabang until 1838. | ||
| Tiantharathເຈົ້າຈັນທະຣາດ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Luang Prabang Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Chao Chandradipati Prabhu Kumara Sundhara Dharmadhata Praditsa Rajadipati Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Udarmapuri Rajadhani Damrungsa Lavaya Bunsabidaya Anuraksha Riyangsakra Sadhidnaya Luang Prabang Dhani | 1797 or 1799 | 23 September 1850 | 1 October 1868 | 23 August 1870Royal Palace, Luang Prabang Aged 71 or 73 | Son of Mantha Tourath and Brother of Soukha Seum | Succeeded on death of his elder brother, 23 September 1850. Recognized by the King of Siam. | ||
| The Pra Bang is returned to Luang Pra Bang by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand having been brought to Bangkok during the destruction of Vientiane in 1828. Until 1865, Thai King Chantharath ruled Luang PraBang, and relinquished the power to Laos King Oun Kham. Transition occurred during/after the French Auguste Parvie visits. | |||||||||
| Oun Khamເຈົ້າອຸ່ນຄຳ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Luang Prabang Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Mahindra Deva Dipakara | 5 June 1811 or 1816Luang Phrabang | 1 October 1868 | 15 December 1895 | 15 December 1895Luang Phrabang Aged 79 or 84 | Son of Mantha Tourath and Brother of Tiantharath | Succeeded on the death of his elder brother in August 1870 but was not recognized by the Siamese authorities until 1872. Recognized by the King of Siam. Fled from the Haw pirates in 1887 with Auguste Pavie and would later pursue protection from France. Removed from executive power by the King of Siam in favor of his eldest son and ordered to remove himself to Bangkok, September 1887 to April 1888. Returned to Luang Prabang, 2 nd May 1888. | ||
| Kham Souk (Sakharine, Sackarindr) ພຣະບາທສົມເດັຈພຣະເຈົ້າມະຫາຊີວິຕສັກຣິນທຣ໌ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Luang Prabang Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Sakarindra Ridhi Dharma Varmanສົມເດັຈພຣະເຈົ້າມະຫາວິຕລ້ານຊ້າງຮົ່ມຂາວ ຫລວງພຣະບາງ ປຣມະສິທະຂັຕິຍະສຸຣິຍະວໍຣມັນ ພຣະມຫາຊິວິຕ ສີສັກະຣິນທຣ໌ | 16 July 1840Luang Phrabang | 15 December 1895 | 25 March 1904 | 25 March 1904Luang Phrabang Aged 63 | Son of Oun Kham | Appointed as third dignitary and invested with the title of Raja Varman. Commanded the Luang Prabang forces sent against the Haws during their first invasion of 1874-1877, and again during the second invasion in 1885-1887, but fled to Bangkok after Đèo Văn Trị attacked and sacked the capital at Luang Prabang in June 1887. Appointed as Regent for his father by the King of Siam, April 1888. Forced to accept a French protectorate over the kingdom, 3 rd October 1893. Succeeded on the death of his father, 15 thDecember 1895. Crowned at Luang Prabang, 14 th July 1896. He introduced several important reforms under French prompting, including the freedom of slaves, the abolition of slavery and equality before the law for all subjects. He died from apoplexy, at Luang Prabang, 25 March 1904. | ||
| Sisavang Vongພຣະບາທສົມເດັຈພຣະເຈົ້າມະຫາຊີວິຕສີສວ່າງວົງສ໌ | Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Brhat Rajanachakra Lao Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Savangsa Varman | 14 July 1885Golden Palace, Luang Prabang | 26 March 1904 | 1945 | 29 October 1959Golden Palace, Luang Prabang Aged 74 | Son of Sakharine | Last king of Luang Prabang and first King of modern Laos | ||
See main article: Muang Phuan. The Muang of Xiang Khouang was a semi-autonomous region in Laos in what is now Xiang Khouang province. The Phuan (Pu’on) monarchy claims descent from Khun Borom and were part of the Lan Xang mandala. Geographic isolation and frequent warfare produced periods where the Phuan kings tried to assert more authority, but the region remained only a key vassalage for surrounding kingdoms. The region features prominently in the 18th and 19th century as valuable coalition piece for the rival kingdoms of Vientiane and Champasak. Xiang Khouang was a trade frontier, and also a frequent point of invasion, and so has more cultural influences from China and Vietnam.
| Name | Birth | Reign from | Reign until | Death | Relationship with predecessors | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kham Sanh | 1651 | 1688 | |||||
| Kam Lan | 1688 | 1700 | Son of Kham Sanh | ||||
| Kham Sattha | 1723 | 1751 | Grandson of Kam Lan | Tributary to Vietnam, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane) | |||
| Ong Lo | 1751 | 1779 | |||||
| Somphou | 1779 | 1803 | |||||
| Noi (Southaka Souvanna Koumar) | 1803 | 1831 | 1829 | Nephew of Somphou | Executed by Emperor Minh Mạng of Vietnam | ||
| Xiang Khuoang annexed as Tran Ninh province in Vietnam (1832) | |||||||
| Po | 1848 | 1865 | Son of Noi | Vassal to Siam and Vietnam | |||
| Ung | 1866 | 1876 | Haw pirates invade Xiang Khouang in 1874 | ||||
| Khanti | 1876 | 1880 | Son of Ung | Vassal to Siam | |||
| Kham Ngon | 1880 | 1899 | French protectorate ends autonomy | ||||
See main article: Kingdom of Laos. The Kingdom of Laos created in 1947 marked the first time the kingdoms of Laos had been unified since the division of Lan Xang in 1707. The Franco-Lao Treaty of 1953, gave Laos independence and the Royal Lao Government took control of the country. This treaty established a constitutional monarchy, with Sisavang Vong as King and Prince Souvanna Phouma as Prime Minister. In 1959, after the death of his father King Sisavang Vong, Sisavang Vatthana ascended the throne and was crowned King. On 2 December 1975, King Sisavang Vatthana was forced to abdicate by the Pathet Lao, after its victory in the Laotian Civil War.
| width=15% | Name! | width=105px | Portrait! | width=120px | House! | width=20% | Birth! | width=20% | Death! | width=16 | Succession right |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sisavang Vong 23 April 1946 – 29 October 1959 | Khun Lo | 14 July 1885 Luang Phrabang | 29 October 1959 Luang Phrabang aged 74 | Son of Zakarine | |||||||
| Sisavang Vatthana 29 October 1959 – 2 December 1975 | 13 November 1907 Luang Phrabang | 13 May 1978 Xam Neua aged 70 | Son of Sisavang Vong | ||||||||
See main article: Royal Lao Government in Exile.
| Name | Tenure | House | Birth | Death | Succession right |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vong Savang | Khun Lo | 27 September 1931 | Son of Sisavang Vatthana | ||
| Soulivong Savang | – present | 8 May 1963 | living | Son of Vong Savang |