Laotian Rebellion (1826-1828)
Encyclopedia
The Laotian Rebellion of 1826-1829, or Anu's Rebellion in Laos 1826-1828, was an attempt to expel Siam from Laos
by Chao Anouvong (Chaiya Sethathirath V ) of the kingdom of Vientiane
. Successive Burmese and Siamese interventions involved Vientiane and Louangphrabang
in internecine struggles. In 1771 the king of Louangphrabang attacked Vientiane, determined to punish it for what he perceived to be its complicity in a Burmese attack on his capital in 1765. The Siamese captured Vientiane for the first time in 1778-79, when it became a vassal state to Siam. Vientiane was finally destroyed in 1827-28 following an imprudent attempt by its ruler, Chao Anou, to retaliate against perceived Siamese injustices toward the Lao.
After an unpleasant stay in Bangkok
in 1825 for the funeral of King Rama II
, which included his son, Rama III, rejecting Anou's request for repatriation of Lao ethnic families captured some half century earlier, Chao Anou returned to Vientiane and organized for rebellion. Believing a false rumor that the British
were preparing to attack Siam, he led his armies toward Bangkok. He managed to get within three days of the Siamese capital in present day Saraburi
by cajoling provincial rulers along the route that he was rushing to the defense of Siam against the British on orders of the king. His plans for Lao
independence were however betrayed, and the Siamese prepared for battle.
After receiving inadequate assistance from the Vietnam
ese, Anou fled into the forests, but he was captured by a second Siamese expedition and brought to Bangkok, where he was displayed in an iron cage and punished before he succumbed.
The Siamese, in a counterattack, captured and sacked Vientiane and transported most of the population of the central Mekong
region across the river into what was later to become northeastern Thailand, or Isan
. By 1828 the rebellion had been quelled. An estimated 24,000 Laotian
s perished as did some 7000 Siamese. With the collapse of Anu's rebellion, the independence of Vientiane came to an end.
Victorious Siamese general Chao Phraya Bodindecha
( — Sing Singhaseni ) erected a nine-spired chedi
as a victory monument at Wat Tung Sawang Chaiyaphum ( field of bright victory) in the town of Yasothon, which had been established 1811 of King Wichai. The doorway of the chedi faces Bangkok, and the northeast corner contains the image of a dejected captive.
Several accounts of the Siamese-Lao fighting are recorded by various historians and authorities, many in direct conflict with one another. In particular are accounts of legendary Thai heroines (Khun Ying Mo or Thao Suranaree, and Khun Ying Boonleu). While some Thai historians cite Lao references that the two women actually played a part in Anu's defeat, the Department of Fine Arts of the Ministry of Culture (Thailand)
is of the opinion that they are only legend.
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
by Chao Anouvong (Chaiya Sethathirath V ) of the kingdom of Vientiane
Vientiane
-Geography:Vientiane is situated on a bend of the Mekong river, which forms the border with Thailand at this point.-Climate:Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate with a distinct monsoon season and a dry season. Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the...
. Successive Burmese and Siamese interventions involved Vientiane and Louangphrabang
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang , is a city located in north central Laos, where the Nam Khan river meets the Mekong River about north of Vientiane. It is the capital of Luang Prabang Province...
in internecine struggles. In 1771 the king of Louangphrabang attacked Vientiane, determined to punish it for what he perceived to be its complicity in a Burmese attack on his capital in 1765. The Siamese captured Vientiane for the first time in 1778-79, when it became a vassal state to Siam. Vientiane was finally destroyed in 1827-28 following an imprudent attempt by its ruler, Chao Anou, to retaliate against perceived Siamese injustices toward the Lao.
After an unpleasant stay in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
in 1825 for the funeral of King Rama II
Rama II
Rama II is a novel by Gentry Lee and Arthur C. Clarke first published in 1989. It recounts humankind's further interaction with the Ramans, first introduced in Rendezvous with Rama...
, which included his son, Rama III, rejecting Anou's request for repatriation of Lao ethnic families captured some half century earlier, Chao Anou returned to Vientiane and organized for rebellion. Believing a false rumor that the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
were preparing to attack Siam, he led his armies toward Bangkok. He managed to get within three days of the Siamese capital in present day Saraburi
Saraburi
Saraburi is a town in central Thailand, capital of the Saraburi Province. As of 2005, it has a population of 61,900, and covers the complete tambon Pak Phriao of the Mueang Saraburi district....
by cajoling provincial rulers along the route that he was rushing to the defense of Siam against the British on orders of the king. His plans for Lao
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
independence were however betrayed, and the Siamese prepared for battle.
After receiving inadequate assistance from the Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
ese, Anou fled into the forests, but he was captured by a second Siamese expedition and brought to Bangkok, where he was displayed in an iron cage and punished before he succumbed.
The Siamese, in a counterattack, captured and sacked Vientiane and transported most of the population of the central Mekong
Mekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
region across the river into what was later to become northeastern Thailand, or Isan
Isan
Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
. By 1828 the rebellion had been quelled. An estimated 24,000 Laotian
Lao people
The Lao are an ethnic subgroup of Tai/Dai in Southeast Asia.-Names:The etymology of the word Lao is uncertain, although it may be related to tribes known as the Ai Lao who appear in Han Dynasty records in China and Vietnam as a people of what is now Yunan Province...
s perished as did some 7000 Siamese. With the collapse of Anu's rebellion, the independence of Vientiane came to an end.
Bodindecha
Chao Phraya Bodindecha was one of the most prominent political and military figures of the early Bangkok Rattanakosin Kingdom. Bodindecha was both chancellor and military general during the reign of King Rama III...
( — Sing Singhaseni ) erected a nine-spired chedi
Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
as a victory monument at Wat Tung Sawang Chaiyaphum ( field of bright victory) in the town of Yasothon, which had been established 1811 of King Wichai. The doorway of the chedi faces Bangkok, and the northeast corner contains the image of a dejected captive.
Several accounts of the Siamese-Lao fighting are recorded by various historians and authorities, many in direct conflict with one another. In particular are accounts of legendary Thai heroines (Khun Ying Mo or Thao Suranaree, and Khun Ying Boonleu). While some Thai historians cite Lao references that the two women actually played a part in Anu's defeat, the Department of Fine Arts of the Ministry of Culture (Thailand)
Ministry of Culture (Thailand)
The Ministry of Culture , is a Thai government body responsible for the oversight of Culture Religion and Art in Thailand.-Departments:* The Fine Arts Department -External links:* - Official Website in Thai* - Official Website in English...
is of the opinion that they are only legend.