Savang Vatthana
Encyclopedia
Savang or Sisavang Vatthana (full name Samdach Brhat Chao Mavattaha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Phra Rajanachakra Lao Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Savangsa Vadhana) (13 November 1907 − 13 May (?), 1978; or perhaps as late as 1984) was the last king
of the Kingdom of Laos
. He ruled from 1959 after his father's death, until his forced abdication in 1975. Savang Vatthana proved unable to manage a country in political turmoil. His rule ended with the takeover by the Pathet Lao
in 1975, after which he and his family were sent to a re-education camp by the new government.
, the son of King Sisavang Vong
and Queen Kham-Oun I
. He was the second of five children, the others being Princess Sammathi, Prince Sayasack, Prince Souphantharangsri and the oldest princess Khampheng. He was also a distant cousin of Prince Souvanna Phouma
and Prince Souphanouvong
. At the age of 10, Prince Savang was sent to study in France
. He attended a lycée in Montpellier
, got a degree from Paris's École Libre des Sciences Politiques (now called Sciences Po), where French diplomats were trained. After graduating from school, the young heir continued his studies in France. After a decade, Savang Vatthana returned but he no longer could speak Lao
, and had to be instructed by a palace functionary for years.
On August 7, 1930, he married Queen Khamphoui
and they had six children, Crown Prince Vong Savang
, Prince Sisavang Savang, Prince Savang, Prince Sauryavong Savang
, Princess Savivanh Savang
, and Princess Thala Savang. Like other Asian royal families, the family played tennis together, and liked to attend major tournaments on their travels abroad. He was also a devout Buddhist and became an authority on the sangkha and took his role as protector of the state religion seriously.
During World War II
, he represented his father with the Japanese forces. His father sent him to the Japanese headquarters in Saigon, where he vigorously protested the Japanese actions, when they invaded Laos and forced them to declare independence from France.
.
On October 29, 1959, he informally ascended the throne upon the death of his father. He was, however, never officially crowned and anointed king, deferring his coronation until the cessation of civil war. During his reign, Savang Vatthana visited many countries on diplomatic missions. In March 1963, he toured 13 countries, including the United States, where he stopped at Washington, D.C.
to meet with President Kennedy. It was the second stop on a tour of 13 of the nations signatory to the Geneva Pact that guaranteed the "neutrality" of the Kingdom of Laos
. The first stop had been Moscow
, and the Russians showered gifts, including slick Chaika limousines. He was also accompanied by his Prime Minister, Souvanna Phouma
.
He was active in Lao politics, trying to stabilise his country after the political turmoil started with the Geneva Conference
of July 1954, which granted full independence to Laos but did not settle the issue of who would rule. Prince Souvanna Phouma
, a neutralist, operated from Vientiane
, claiming to be Prime Minister and being recognized by the USSR; Prince Boun Oum
of Champassak in the south, right-wing, pro-US, dominated the Pakse area, recognized as Prime Minister by the US; and in the far north, Prince Souphanouvong
led the leftist resistance movement, the Pathet Lao
, drawing support from North Vietnam, also claiming to be Prime Minister with the backing of the communists. To avoid argument over whether Souvanna or Boun Oum was the "legitimate" Prime Minister, both sides would deal through the pro-western King Savang Vatthana.
In 1961, a majority of the National Assembly had already voted Boun Oum
into power and King Savang Vatthana left Luang Prabang
, visiting the capital to give the new government his blessing. But he wanted the Three Princes
to form a coalition
government, which happened in 1962 but then the coalition government collapsed.
In 1964 series of coups and counter coups resulted in the final alignment of the Pathet Lao
on one side with the neutralist and right wing factions on the other. From this point the Pathet Lao refused to join any offers of coalition or national elections and Laotian Civil War began.
On 2 December 1975 the King was forced to abdicate the throne after Pathēt Lao
came to power and later he was appointed supreme advisor to the President. He refused to leave the country. In March 1977, he was arrested with the Queen, Crown Prince Vong Savang
, Prince Sisavang, and his brothers Princes Souphantharangsri and Thongsouk. He was put into an internment camp Sam-Neua in northern Laos. It was called "Camp Number One", where all the important political prisoners were held. During his time in the camp, the royal family was allowed to move freely around in their compounds during the day. He was the oldest prisoner in the camp, turning 70 during the earlier months of imprisonment, the average age being around 55.
About 1978, it was reported that he, along with Queen Khamphoui
and Crown Prince Vong Savang
, had died. Upon the news of the deaths of King Savang Vatthana and Crown Prince Vong Savang, the King's youngest son Sauryavong Savang
became the head of the Laotian royal family, acting as regent
to his nephew Crown Prince Soulivong Savang
. However, according to Kaysone Phomvihane
, Vatthana died in 1984, at the age of 77.
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Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of the Kingdom of Laos
Kingdom of Laos
The Kingdom of Laos was a sovereign state from 1953 until December 1975, when Pathet Lao overthrew the government and created the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Given self-rule in 1949 as part of a federation with the rest of French Indochina, the 1953 Franco-Lao Treaty finally established a...
. He ruled from 1959 after his father's death, until his forced abdication in 1975. Savang Vatthana proved unable to manage a country in political turmoil. His rule ended with the takeover by the Pathet Lao
Pathet Lao
The Pathet Lao was a communist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group was ultimately successful in assuming political power after the Laotian Civil War. The Pathet Lao were always closely associated with Vietnamese communists...
in 1975, after which he and his family were sent to a re-education camp by the new government.
Early life
Prince Savang Vatthana was born on 13 November 1907 at the Royal Palace of Luang PrabangRoyal Palace Museum
The Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, Laos was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. The site for the palace was chosen so that official visitors to Luang Prabang could disembark from their river voyages directly below the palace and be received there...
, the son of King Sisavang Vong
Sisavang Vong
Sisavang Phoulivong , was king of Kingdom of Luang Phrabang and later Kingdom of Laos from 28 April 1904 until his death on 20 October 1959.-Early life:...
and Queen Kham-Oun I
Kham-Oun I
Queen Kham-Oun I is mother of Savang Vatthana. She died at the Royal Palace, Luang Prabang....
. He was the second of five children, the others being Princess Sammathi, Prince Sayasack, Prince Souphantharangsri and the oldest princess Khampheng. He was also a distant cousin of Prince Souvanna Phouma
Souvanna Phouma
Prince Souvanna Phouma was the leader of the neutralist faction and prime minister of the Kingdom of Laos several times, from 1951–1952, 1956–1958, 1960 and 1962-1975.-Early life:...
and Prince Souphanouvong
Souphanouvong
Prince Souphanouvong was, along with his half-brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champasak, one of the “Three Princes” who represented respectively the communist , neutralist, and royalist political factions in Laos...
. At the age of 10, Prince Savang was sent to study in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He attended a lycée in Montpellier
Montpellier
-Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council....
, got a degree from Paris's École Libre des Sciences Politiques (now called Sciences Po), where French diplomats were trained. After graduating from school, the young heir continued his studies in France. After a decade, Savang Vatthana returned but he no longer could speak Lao
Lao language
Lao or Laotian is a tonal language of the Tai–Kadai language family. It is the official language of Laos, and also spoken in the northeast of Thailand, where it is usually referred to as the Isan language. Being the primary language of the Lao people, Lao is also an important second language for...
, and had to be instructed by a palace functionary for years.
On August 7, 1930, he married Queen Khamphoui
Khamphoui
Queen Khamphoui was born in Luang Phrabang, Laos on July 12, 1912. She is reported to have died in a re-education camp near Sop Hao on December 12, 1981. On August 7, 1930, she married King Savang Vatthana and they had seven children, Crown Prince Vong Savang, Prince Sisavang, Prince Savang, Prince...
and they had six children, Crown Prince Vong Savang
Vong Savang
Crown Prince Vong Savang was born on September 27, 1931, at the Royal Palace Luang Prabang, Laos. His father was King Savang Vatthana and mother was Queen Khamphoui. He died at the hands of the communists in a so-called "seminar camp" in Laos on May 2, 1978...
, Prince Sisavang Savang, Prince Savang, Prince Sauryavong Savang
Sauryavong Savang
Prince Sauryavong Savang is the youngest son of King Savang Vatthana of Laos. In 1965, he married Princess Dalavan and they have four children, Sthira Sauryavong, Dayavant Sauryavong, Balavant Sauryavong, and Krishnajina Sauryavong....
, Princess Savivanh Savang
Savivanh Savang
Princess Savivanh Savang Manivong was the daughter of King Savang Vatthana and Queen Khamphoui. She was educated in Luang Prabang, France, and England, the princess served in the court of her father, the King of Laos, until the fall of the monarchy to communist forces in 1975...
, and Princess Thala Savang. Like other Asian royal families, the family played tennis together, and liked to attend major tournaments on their travels abroad. He was also a devout Buddhist and became an authority on the sangkha and took his role as protector of the state religion seriously.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he represented his father with the Japanese forces. His father sent him to the Japanese headquarters in Saigon, where he vigorously protested the Japanese actions, when they invaded Laos and forced them to declare independence from France.
King of Laos
In 1951, he served as Prime Minister, and when his father became ill on August 20, 1959, he was named RegentRegent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
.
On October 29, 1959, he informally ascended the throne upon the death of his father. He was, however, never officially crowned and anointed king, deferring his coronation until the cessation of civil war. During his reign, Savang Vatthana visited many countries on diplomatic missions. In March 1963, he toured 13 countries, including the United States, where he stopped at Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to meet with President Kennedy. It was the second stop on a tour of 13 of the nations signatory to the Geneva Pact that guaranteed the "neutrality" of the Kingdom of Laos
Kingdom of Laos
The Kingdom of Laos was a sovereign state from 1953 until December 1975, when Pathet Lao overthrew the government and created the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Given self-rule in 1949 as part of a federation with the rest of French Indochina, the 1953 Franco-Lao Treaty finally established a...
. The first stop had been Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, and the Russians showered gifts, including slick Chaika limousines. He was also accompanied by his Prime Minister, Souvanna Phouma
Souvanna Phouma
Prince Souvanna Phouma was the leader of the neutralist faction and prime minister of the Kingdom of Laos several times, from 1951–1952, 1956–1958, 1960 and 1962-1975.-Early life:...
.
He was active in Lao politics, trying to stabilise his country after the political turmoil started with the Geneva Conference
Geneva Conference
Several international or multinational conferences have been called the Geneva Conference, because they were held in the city of Geneva, Switzerland...
of July 1954, which granted full independence to Laos but did not settle the issue of who would rule. Prince Souvanna Phouma
Souvanna Phouma
Prince Souvanna Phouma was the leader of the neutralist faction and prime minister of the Kingdom of Laos several times, from 1951–1952, 1956–1958, 1960 and 1962-1975.-Early life:...
, a neutralist, operated from 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...
, claiming to be Prime Minister and being recognized by the USSR; Prince Boun Oum
Boun Oum
Prince Boun Oum was the son of King Ratsadanay, and was the hereditary prince of Champassack and also Prime Minister of Laos.-Early life:...
of Champassak in the south, right-wing, pro-US, dominated the Pakse area, recognized as Prime Minister by the US; and in the far north, Prince Souphanouvong
Souphanouvong
Prince Souphanouvong was, along with his half-brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champasak, one of the “Three Princes” who represented respectively the communist , neutralist, and royalist political factions in Laos...
led the leftist resistance movement, the Pathet Lao
Pathet Lao
The Pathet Lao was a communist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group was ultimately successful in assuming political power after the Laotian Civil War. The Pathet Lao were always closely associated with Vietnamese communists...
, drawing support from North Vietnam, also claiming to be Prime Minister with the backing of the communists. To avoid argument over whether Souvanna or Boun Oum was the "legitimate" Prime Minister, both sides would deal through the pro-western King Savang Vatthana.
In 1961, a majority of the National Assembly had already voted Boun Oum
Boun Oum
Prince Boun Oum was the son of King Ratsadanay, and was the hereditary prince of Champassack and also Prime Minister of Laos.-Early life:...
into power and King Savang Vatthana left Luang Prabang
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...
, visiting the capital to give the new government his blessing. But he wanted the Three Princes
Three Princes
The Three Princes were Boun Oum, Souvanna Phouma and Souphanouvong who represented respectively the royalist, neutralist and leftist factions in the Kingdom of Laos in the post-WWII period. The trio were named by King Savang Vatthana to form a coalition government following the independence of...
to form a coalition
Coalition
A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
government, which happened in 1962 but then the coalition government collapsed.
In 1964 series of coups and counter coups resulted in the final alignment of the Pathet Lao
Pathet Lao
The Pathet Lao was a communist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group was ultimately successful in assuming political power after the Laotian Civil War. The Pathet Lao were always closely associated with Vietnamese communists...
on one side with the neutralist and right wing factions on the other. From this point the Pathet Lao refused to join any offers of coalition or national elections and Laotian Civil War began.
Abdication and death
On 2 December 1975 the King was forced to abdicate the throne after Pathēt Lao
Pathet Lao
The Pathet Lao was a communist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group was ultimately successful in assuming political power after the Laotian Civil War. The Pathet Lao were always closely associated with Vietnamese communists...
came to power and later he was appointed supreme advisor to the President. He refused to leave the country. In March 1977, he was arrested with the Queen, Crown Prince Vong Savang
Vong Savang
Crown Prince Vong Savang was born on September 27, 1931, at the Royal Palace Luang Prabang, Laos. His father was King Savang Vatthana and mother was Queen Khamphoui. He died at the hands of the communists in a so-called "seminar camp" in Laos on May 2, 1978...
, Prince Sisavang, and his brothers Princes Souphantharangsri and Thongsouk. He was put into an internment camp Sam-Neua in northern Laos. It was called "Camp Number One", where all the important political prisoners were held. During his time in the camp, the royal family was allowed to move freely around in their compounds during the day. He was the oldest prisoner in the camp, turning 70 during the earlier months of imprisonment, the average age being around 55.
About 1978, it was reported that he, along with Queen Khamphoui
Khamphoui
Queen Khamphoui was born in Luang Phrabang, Laos on July 12, 1912. She is reported to have died in a re-education camp near Sop Hao on December 12, 1981. On August 7, 1930, she married King Savang Vatthana and they had seven children, Crown Prince Vong Savang, Prince Sisavang, Prince Savang, Prince...
and Crown Prince Vong Savang
Vong Savang
Crown Prince Vong Savang was born on September 27, 1931, at the Royal Palace Luang Prabang, Laos. His father was King Savang Vatthana and mother was Queen Khamphoui. He died at the hands of the communists in a so-called "seminar camp" in Laos on May 2, 1978...
, had died. Upon the news of the deaths of King Savang Vatthana and Crown Prince Vong Savang, the King's youngest son Sauryavong Savang
Sauryavong Savang
Prince Sauryavong Savang is the youngest son of King Savang Vatthana of Laos. In 1965, he married Princess Dalavan and they have four children, Sthira Sauryavong, Dayavant Sauryavong, Balavant Sauryavong, and Krishnajina Sauryavong....
became the head of the Laotian royal family, acting as regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
to his nephew Crown Prince Soulivong Savang
Soulivong Savang
Crown Prince Soulivong Savang , grandson of the last King of Laos Savang Vatthana, is the pretender to the Lao throne. Laos was a monarchy until 1975, when the communist Pathet Lao seized control of the nation, causing Savang Vatthana to abdicate his throne...
. However, according to Kaysone Phomvihane
Kaysone Phomvihane
Kaysone Phomvihane was the leader of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party from 1955, though Souphanouvong served in a figurehead role...
, Vatthana died in 1984, at the age of 77.
Issue
The children of Savang Vatthana and Khumphoui as follows:| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Prince Vong Savang Vong Savang Crown Prince Vong Savang was born on September 27, 1931, at the Royal Palace Luang Prabang, Laos. His father was King Savang Vatthana and mother was Queen Khamphoui. He died at the hands of the communists in a so-called "seminar camp" in Laos on May 2, 1978... |
27 September 1931 | January 1980 | married Mahneelai |
| Princess Savivanh Savang Savivanh Savang Princess Savivanh Savang Manivong was the daughter of King Savang Vatthana and Queen Khamphoui. She was educated in Luang Prabang, France, and England, the princess served in the court of her father, the King of Laos, until the fall of the monarchy to communist forces in 1975... |
1933 | 4 January 2007 | married Mangkhala Manivong |
| Thala Savang | 10 January 1935 | 14 April 2006 | married Sisouphanouvong Sisaleumsak |
| Prince Savang | December 1935 | 1978 | |
| Sauryavong Savang Sauryavong Savang Prince Sauryavong Savang is the youngest son of King Savang Vatthana of Laos. In 1965, he married Princess Dalavan and they have four children, Sthira Sauryavong, Dayavant Sauryavong, Balavant Sauryavong, and Krishnajina Sauryavong.... |
22 January 1937 | ||
See also
- King Sisavang VongSisavang VongSisavang Phoulivong , was king of Kingdom of Luang Phrabang and later Kingdom of Laos from 28 April 1904 until his death on 20 October 1959.-Early life:...
- Monarchs of Laos
- Pathet LaoPathet LaoThe Pathet Lao was a communist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group was ultimately successful in assuming political power after the Laotian Civil War. The Pathet Lao were always closely associated with Vietnamese communists...
- Kingdom of LaosKingdom of LaosThe Kingdom of Laos was a sovereign state from 1953 until December 1975, when Pathet Lao overthrew the government and created the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Given self-rule in 1949 as part of a federation with the rest of French Indochina, the 1953 Franco-Lao Treaty finally established a...
- Soth PhetrasySoth PhetrasySoth Phetrasy, , was a leading official of the Pathet Lao, the communist guerilla movement of Laos associated with the Lao People's Party, during the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:Soth Phetrasy was born in 1915....
- Laotian Royal FamilyLaotian Royal FamilyThe Lao Royal Family was the ruling family of the Kingdom of Laos from 1904 to 1975 and the group of close relatives of the monarch of the Kingdom of Laos...
External links
- Laos - "Seminar Camps" And The Death Of King Savang Vatthana
- Photographs of Royal Family of Laos
- Biography of King Sauryavong Savang (French)
- Death of King Savang Vatthana reported
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