Meunsai was a king of the Lao

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...

 kingdom of Lan Xang

Lan Xang

The Lao kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Kao was established in 1354 by Fa Ngum.Exiled as an infant to Cambodia, Prince Fa Ngum of Xieng Dong Xieng Thong married a daughter of the Khmer king. In 1349 he set out from Angkor at the head of a 10,000-man army to establish his own country...

. He was the second son of Samsenethai

Samsenethai

Samsenethai was the second king of Lan Xang, the son of Fa Ngum, whom he succeeded.He ruled from 1372 until 1417. The origin of the name Samsenethai is thought to be a reflection of the political and social upheaval occurring within the area at the time of his rule...

 and was Governor

Governor

A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...

 of Muang Kabong before becoming king. He earned the title King Meun Ban although he never used it. He ruled 6 months but Nang Keo Phimpha

Nang Keo Phimpha

Nang Keo Phimpha was the sister of Samsenthai, a king of Lan Xang. After her nephew, the king, Lan Kham Deng died, she seized control of Lan Xang and the next four kings were under her control. She only reigned for a few months in 1438 at age of 95. She was deposed and killed....

 (the de facto

De facto

De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...

 ruler of the kingdom) soon became dissatisfied with his performance as king and planned to have him executed. By the time Meunsai found out it was too late. He chose to commit suicide rather than be killed by Nang Keo Phimpha. He died in the Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong is a Buddhist temple , located on the northern tip of the peninsula of Luang Phrabang, Laos.-History:It was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath and was under royal patronage during the Kingdom of Laos. Like the royal palace, the wat was placed near the mekong. In 1880, the Tripitaka...

.