History History

First traces of settlement in Laos. It is assumed that the first inhabitants would have Melanesian or Austro-Melanesian origins. A migration would have come later from the south of China, or even from the confines of Mongolia. These peoples have left their mark: the mysterious jars of the Xieng Khuang province. Later, other peoples (notably from North Vietnam) came to settle in Laos, driven out by wars.

Construction of the pre-angkorian temple of Vat Phou in Champassak.

The South of Laos is part of the Khmer kingdom while the North is divided into two Thai principalities.

Birth of Fa Ngum.

Advent to the throne of King Fa Ngum who creates the kingdom of Lane Xang and defeats the rebellious princes in Phai Nam (Vientiane) with the help of the Khmers. Chao Phi Fa must leave the kingdom of Muang Sua (Luang Prabang) because of a dispute with his father concerning the Angkor court. A few years later, the Khmer king Jayavarman Parameszvara sends a 10,000-strong troop to Vieng Chan (former name of Vientiane) with Fa Ngum, Chao Phi Fa's son, at its head. They annex several other towns, including Muang Sua. Chao Phi Fa died during this war and Fa Ngum proclaimed himself king in 1353. His kingdom, established in Mung Sua, took the name of Lane Xang or "Kingdom of a Million Elephants".

Khmer Buddhist mission from Phnom Penh bringing the Phra Bang (protector of the kingdom) to Muong Sua. Fa Ngum marries the daughter of the Khmer king Jayavarman Parameszvara. He receives from his father-in-law a golden statue of the Buddha: the famous Phra Bang.

Adoption of Buddhism Theravāda by the kingdom of Lane Xang. Fa Ngum does not cease to enlarge his kingdom until his dismissal: he is exiled in Nan, located nowadays in Thailand. Victorious war against the Siamese, which leads to the unification of the Lao populations.

Dismissal of Fa Ngum, who had become tyrannical, and crowning of his eldest son Thao Oun Heun.

The eldest son of Fa Ngum took the name of Samsenthai, a name that indicates the number of male inhabitants of the kingdom: that is 300,000 Thais. Unlike his father, Samsenthai was not a conqueror, but a builder. He built many temples or schools, and reorganized the country until his death.

Samsenthai's dead. After that, the kingdom is in turmoil. Twelve kings succeeded each other during this century.

The Vietnamese army occupies Muang Sua (Luang Prabang) and the kingdom of Trân Ninh. The Lao army, under the orders of Thao Theng Kham, succeeded in driving out the Vietnamese a few months later.

Advent of Phothisarath, son of King Visoun, a peaceful and deeply religious ruler.

Phothisarath takes in the fallen prince of Ayuthya, Ekaracha. War ensues with Siam. Victory for the army of Lane Xang. King Phothisarath annexes the Lanna kingdom, today Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand).

Settha, son of Phothisarath, obtains the throne of the kingdom of Lanna.

After the sudden death of Phothisarath, crushed by his elephant, Settha left Lanna and became king of Lane Xang under the name of Setthathirath (or Xaysettha).

Setthathirath transfers the capital to Vieng Chan (Vientiane), because of the threat of the Burmese army. He was responsible for the construction of the Vat Phra Keo and the Vat That Luang, the first to house the Emerald Buddha he had brought from Chiang Mai (currently visible at Wat Pha Keow in Bangkok), the second to house a relic of the Buddha.

First invasion of the Burmese army occupying Vientiane.

Setthathirath mysteriously disappears in the Attapeu region, leaving the country in the grip of political unrest

After the victory of the Burmese army, Lane Xang is submitted to Burma.

After several years of imprisonment in Burma, Nokéo, son of Setthathirath, became king of Lane Xang.

Nokeo controlled the city of Luang Prabang until his death in 1596.

Advent of Soulignavongsa, the "Sun King", who avoids the split of Lane Xang between several pretenders to the throne. This period can be considered as the golden age of Lane Xang. It is also at this time that the first Europeans arrived in Laos. The Italian Jesuit de Marini and the Dutch merchant Geritt Van Wuysthoff visited the kingdom and left testimonies of great interest.

Death of Soulignavongsa. He left no heir at his death because he was forced to execute his only son who had committed adultery. Violent clashes between pretenders to the throne ensued

Lane Xang finally split into three kingdoms: Vientiane, ruled by Soulignavongsa's nephew; Luang Prabang, ruled by one of his grandsons, and the new kingdom of Champasak in the south. Neighbouring states coveted the legacy of Lane Xang and tried to take advantage of the situation. The kingdom was eventually divided into three rival kingdoms: the kingdom of Vientiane, the kingdom of Luang Prabang and the kingdom of Champasak

King Alompra's Burmese plunder Luang Prabang and withdraw. A few years later, fearing a new attack, the old capital sought the protection of the Siamese

The Siamese army invaded Vientiane and seized the Emerald Buddha (the Phra Keo), considering that it was a Siamese property, because it came from Chiang Mai. The administration of Vientiane is then placed under the control of Bangkok. The kingdoms of Champasak and Luang Prabang are defeated shortly afterwards. The whole of Lane Xang is subjected to the kingdom of Siam. It is since this time that the provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani are part of Thailand. Unlike the European wars, the victor deported the population to its territory, thus depriving the defeated country of its population.

Chao Anou, also called Anouvong or Saya-Setthathirath V, is placed on the throne of Vientiane. He was responsible for the construction of the Vat Si Sakhet. Chao Anou is not on good terms with the Siamese and dreams only of independence. So he organizes a rebellion. After the death of Siamese king Rama II, his army marches on Bangkok, asking for the support of the Vietnamese. But it is routed in Korat (north-east of Bangkok) and Vientiane is ransacked. More than 6,000 families are exiled on the right bank of the Mekong, in Siamese territory. As for King Chao Anou, he is locked up in a cage and sent to Bangkok.

Chao Anou obtains from the Siamese the throne of Champasak for his son, Chao Nhô.

Knowing the Siamese threatened by the British army, Chao Anou tries to free himself from the suzerainty of Bangkok. But the Lao army is defeated. Chao Anou flees.

Chao Anou is taken prisoner and dies in Bangkok. The kingdom of Vientiane is emptied of its inhabitants and annexed by the kingdom of Siam. The Lao kingdom later disintegrates. The deserted province of Vientiane remains under Siamese influence, while Luang Prabang becomes a full-fledged vassal state. At the same time, the kingdom of Xieng Khuang is invaded by the Chinese, to the great displeasure of the former Vietnamese lords, who lose their main reserve of slaves. Fearing Chinese expansion, the Siamese set up a large army corps in the Luang Prabang region. The late Lane Xang is thus split between neighbouring states still in search of new territories. But the region of Northern Laos remains a dangerous area, the scene of battles and looting.

France settles in Conchinchina - the Mekong delta - and envisages an expansion up the valley of the great river.

Arrival and death of the explorer and naturalist Henri Mouhot in Luang Prabang.

Establishment of the French protectorate over Cambodia. The Doudart de Lagrée expedition goes up the Mekong River to Northern Laos. France intends to extend its colonial empire in the region. For their part, the English have already extended their empire over Burma and the Malay Peninsula

Siamese military intervention in Luang Prabang. The Emperor of Annam, worried about the threat of Siam at its borders, protests to Bangkok, supported by the Quai d'Orsay. The French occupy Tonkin, and the kingdom of Hué (Vietnam) is placed under protectorate. Siam was worried about the hegemony of the Western powers, especially since border incidents had pitted it against Vietnam and the kingdom of Hue asked France to safeguard its interests in Laos. The Siamese government creates a French vice-consulate in Luang Prabang: a prelude to French intervention. The post is entrusted to Auguste Pavie who arrives at the moment when the Chinese looters "Pavillons Noirs" want to seize the city. Combining their energies, Pavia's group and the troops of the king of Luang Prabang, Oun Kham, manage to drive back the Chinese bandits. In order to escape the lust and exactions of China and Siam, King Oun Kham asks the French protectorate to safeguard his kingdom.

Chinese warlord Deo Van Tri seizes Luang Prabang with 600 pirates and loot.

King Umm Khan of Laos cedes 12 northern provinces to France.

Signature of a Franco-Siamese treaty. After numerous border incidents, Siam recognizes the authority of France on the left bank of the Mekong. The French protectorate came into force on October 3, 1893, over the whole of Laos. Agreements followed with China and Burma to determine the borders. France then took control of Indochina for fifty years. In 1893, Laos was not a political entity. Only the weakened kingdom of Luang Prabang still retains the appearance of a state. The kingdoms of Vientiane, Xieng Khuang and Champasak have disappeared, but their respective territories are now free from Siamese and Vietnamese tutelage. Self-governments continue to exercise local authority. The French government then considered them as mere provinces over which it must henceforth maintain peace and order. But it turns out that the control of Laos was not as easy as that of the rest of Indochina, and it serves mainly as a buffer state with Burma, which is controlled by the British. At the beginning of the 20th century, only about a hundred French civilians were in Laos and the attitude of the colonial administration towards the country was rather negligent. One of the first inconveniences experienced by the Laotian people was the arrival of Vietnamese civil servants (the hereditary enemy) to take care of the public service. The king is allowed to reside in Luang Prabang, but his power remains symbolic.

Laos is included in the Indochinese Union on the initiative of Paul Doumer, Governor General of Indochina from 1897 to 1902.

Death of Sakkarin King. His eldest son, Sisavang Vong, succeeds him and reigns until 1959.

Revolt in North Laos by the indigenous chief Vanna-phoum; only his death can bring it to an end.

Revolt of the Hmong (Meos) of the Xieng Khuang region against taxes and requisitions. It took nearly two years and the commitment of a heavily armed column to defeat them.

France cedes to Siam the territories on the right bank of the Mekong: Sayaboury and Champasak.

While the Second World War rages on in Europe, Japan (Germany's ally) invades Laos with the agreement of the French Vichy authorities

The independence movement was born under the leadership of Prince Phetsarath. One of his half-brothers, Souphanouvong, joined the armed struggle and joined the Communist Party.

Japanese coup de force. The French authorities are imprisoned. In the South, Prince Boun Oum de Champasak plays an important role in the armed struggle against the Japanese.

Surrender of Japan. Prime Minister and Viceroy Phetsarath declares the independence of Laos, but France refuses to recognize the new state. He creates the Lao Issara (Free Laos) movement, to oppose the restoration of French authority over Laos.

Sisavang Vong is re-inscribed as ruler of unified Laos. Souphanouvong, known as "the Red Prince", creates the Lao Pathet of communist obedience. The Issara army is crushed in Vientiane by French troops only a few days after King Sisavang Vong, finally rallied to the Issara party, belatedly achieves the independent unity of Laos. Sisavang Vong can remain in power, but Issara's nationalist leaders must take refuge in Bangkok. The Issara movement then reorganizes itself with the help of the Viet Minh communists from Hanoi. However, France, which was struggling to recover from the Second World War, had become accustomed to the idea of autonomy for Laos and invited the Issara party to the negotiations. But instead of joining forces, the party splits into three distinct factions. The first faction, led by the historical leader of the movement, Phetsarath, refuses all discussions with France and demands the immediate independence of Laos. More moderate, Prince Souvanna Phouma (Phetsarath's half-brother) understood the obligation to negotiate with France and accepted the idea of a compromise. The third faction, under the command of Prince Souphanouvong, decided to unite with the Viet Minh leaders, thus forming the armed wing of the movement.

By an agreement signed with the king, the principle of an autonomy of Laos within the French Union is admitted.

The territories on the right bank of the Mekong are returned to Laos.

Vote for a democratic constitution promulgated by Sisavang Vong.

Franco-Lao General Convention. Laos gains independence within the framework of the French Union. After the self-dissolution of the Lao Issara movement in exile in Bangkok, France grants Laos the status of "independent associate" state. The country is still part of the French Union, but can finally become a member of the United Nations: for the first time in its history, Laos appears in the eyes of the West as a real state. This international recognition is followed by the setting up of an American economic mission, with the agreement of Laotian political circles. The colonial hegemony of France gives way to the imperialism of the United States.

Prince Souphanouvong creates the Pathet Lao in Vietnam. The "Red Prince" wants to be the spokesman of "all social strata, all ethnic groups and all regions, occupied as well as liberated". The creation of this "provisional government of resistance" is accompanied by a 12-point manifesto affirming the total independence of Laos and the formation of a coalition government to seal the unity of the country. Souphanouvong set up his headquarters in the province of Sam Neua.

The extension of the rebellion led France, which even envisaged an honourable withdrawal, and the Royal Laotian government to sign a treaty of friendship and association by which France undertook to defend Laos, whose independence was confirmed, against Viet Minh companies, which explains the establishment in the basin of Dien Bien Phu, west of Tonkin, of an entrenched camp whose garrison had the mission of prohibiting the infiltration of the Viet Minh enemy towards Laos. This did not prevent the Pathet Lao, supported by the Viet Minh, from launching attacks against Luang Prabang (royal residence), after the departure of French troops. In order to respect the terms of the treaty, France had to resume the fight against the advance of the Communist troops that controlled the strategic area north of Luang Prabang at the time. It was a bitter French military failure, foreshadowing the tragedy of Dien Bien Phu.

Following the French defeat in Vietnam, the Geneva Accords ratified the control of the territories north of the 17th parallel by the Ho Chi Minh government. These agreements guarantee the freedom and neutrality of Laos. The independence of Laos and Cambodia is reaffirmed on this occasion.

Laos joins the United Nations. Creation of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Establishment of a coalition government with Pathet Lao. Kaysone Phomvihan and Nouhak Phoumsavanh are already on Souphanouvong's side.

The Pathet Lao obtained 9 of the 21 seats in the government of national unity and the Red Prince took part in the coalition cabinet. Several other founding members of the Pathet Lao were elected deputies to the National Assembly.

Coup d'état of General Phoumi Nosavan.

General Vang Pao became the charismatic leader of the Hmong counter-revolutionary troops, his arms supply was ensured by the United States. Under the pretext of the communist threat, the United States decides to act financially and militarily: organization and "technical support" of a 50,000-strong government army while the CIA takes control of "secret operations" throughout Southeast Asia.

The Pathet Lao creates a rebel government in the Sam Neua region.

The "secret war" (see zoom).

Paris Agreements: ceasefire in Laos and creation of a coalition government with the PPRL and Pathet Lao.

Revolution organized by the Lao Pathet and proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Prince Souphanouvong becomes head of state while Kaysone Phomvihan retains his post as Party General Secretary. Following the abdication of the king, the former monarchy is abolished. Relations with Thailand deteriorate, following rumours of a probable coup d'état fomented by relatives of the royalty in exile in Bangkok, supported by the CIA. For this reason, the Pathet Lao decides to intern the entire royal family in the region of Sam Neua.

Breakdown of diplomatic relations between the newly formed Lao PDR and France.

Reopening of the French Embassy in Vientiane.

Party General Secretary Kaysone Phomvihane becomes President.

Gradual reintroduction of the state-controlled market economy.

Francophone Summit in Chaillot: the agreement with France is restored and Laos joins the group of French-speaking countries.

Death of Kaysone Phomvihane and election of Nouhak Phoumsavanh. Policy of economic opening with Thailand and the West.

Death of Suvuvuvong, the "Red Prince".

Laos joins the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Khamtay Siphandone is elected President of the Republic.

The communist government rehabilitates the first king of Lane Xang - former Laos - by erecting a statue of King Fa Ngum in Vientiane. With this tribute to past royalty, the government demonstrates its openness in domestic politics and strives to satisfy nationalist sentiments.

First visit to Vientiane of Than Shwe, head of the Burmese military junta. Laos and Myanmar have a common project: the construction of a road and a bridge linking the two countries.

Choummaly Sayasone, former Prime Minister, becomes head of the party's executive committee and is elected President of the Republic.

The Mekong waters reach a record level. Flooding of several regions, including the capital Vientiane.

Inauguration of the first rail link between Thailand and Laos. The railway crosses the Mekong River via the Friendship Bridge.

Election of Thongsing Thammavong as Prime Minister.

Re-election of Choummaly Sayasone as President of the Lao People's Republic.

Visit of François Hollande to Vientiane for the 9th ASEM Summit. Historical, as it was the first visit of a French president on Laotian soil.

The government is imposing a freeze on civil servants' salaries in response to the difficult economic context and to curb the budget deficit.

Boungnang Vorachit is elected President of the Republic.

The rupture of a dam in the Attapeu region claimed 31 victims and 130 missing.

The railway line linking China to Laos, called Boten - Vientiane Railway, was inaugurated. It connects the north of Laos, including Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, to the capital of the country.

In January 2021, Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister from 2001 to 2016 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2016, succeeded Bougnang Vorachit as head of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. He was subsequently elected President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on March 22 by the National Assembly. Following the resignation of Phankham VIPAVANH, the National Assembly appointed Sonexay SIPHANDONE as Prime Minister in December 2022.