The Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) is the modern state derived from the former 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, along with his eldest son Khun Lo, who founded Muang Sua and is said to be the ancestor of all Lao royal families.
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.
Kingdom of Lan Xang (1353–1707)
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. NamePortraitRegnal NameBirthReign fromReign untilDeathRelationship with predecessorsNotesFa Ngum ພຣະເຈົ້າຟ້າງຸ້ມມະຫາຣາຊSomdetch Brhat-Anya Fa Ladhuraniya Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Maharaja Brhat Rajadharana Sri Chudhana Negara ສົມເດັດ ພຣະບາດ ອັນຍາ ຟ້າ ລັດທຸຣັນຍາ ສຣີ ຣາຊະທໍຣະນາ ສຣີ ສັດຕະນາ ນະຄອນ1316 Muang Sua, Lan Xang5 January 135313721373 Muang Nan, Nan
Aged 57Son of Khun Phi FaSimms, Peter and Sanda, The Kingdoms of Laos: Six Hundred Years of History, Curzon Press, Surrey. 1999. . (pg. 217); Le Boulanger, Paul, Histoire du Laos Francais: Essai d'une Etude chronologique des Principautes Laotiennes, Plon, Paris. 1931 (pg.31); Dommen, Aurthur, J., Conflict in Laos: The Politics of Neutralization, Pall Mall Press, London. 1964. (pg. 64); Hall, D.G.E., A History of Southeast Asia (4th ed.), Macmillan, London, 1994. (pg. 81)Samsenethai ສາມແສນໄທ (Oun Huan)
ອຸ່ນເຮືອນSamdach Brhat-Anya Samu Sena Daya Daya Buvana Natha Adipati Sri Sadhana Kanayudha ສົມເດັຈພຣະຍາ ສາມແສນໄທ ໄຕຣ໌ພູວະນາທອາທິປັຕ ສຼີສັຕນາຄະນາຫຸທ1357 Muang Sua, Lan Xang1372 1416 Muang Sua, Lan Xang
Aged 60Son of Fa Ngum(Simms, 99; Le Boulanger, 31; Sila, 64; Manich, 67; Hall, 81; Stuart-Fox, 93)Lan Kham Deng ພະເຈົ້າລ້ານຄຳແດງSamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Lamakamadinga1387 Muang Sua, Lan Xang14171428 Muang Sua, Lan Xang
Aged 41Son of Samsenethai(Simms, 99; Le Boulanger, 31; Hall, 81)Phommathat ພະຍາພົມມະທັດSamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Brahma-kumara Bhumadaraja? Muang Sua, Lan Xang14281429 Muang Sua, Lan XangLan Kham Deng's oldest sonReigned 10 monthsYukhon(Meunsai) Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Yugandhara? Muang Sua, Lan Xang1429 1430 Phadao, Lan XangYounger brother of PhommathatReigned 8 monthsSimms, 99; Sila, Maha Viravong, History of Laos (trans), Paragon, New York. 1964.Khon KhamSamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Kunikama? Muang Sua, Lan Xang14301432 Kokrua, Lan XangSon of King SamsenthaiReigned 18 months(Simms, 99; Sila, 64)Kham Tam Sa(Kham Teun, Khamtum) Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Kama Dharmasara? Muang Sua, Lan Xang1429(?); 1432 Pak Houei Luang, Lan XangReigned 5 months(Simms, 99; Le Boulanger, 31)LusaiSamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Luvana Jaya Chakrapati Phen-Pheo? Muang Sua, Lan Xang14321433 Palace Gardens, Muang Sua, Lan XangReigned 6 months(Simms, 99; Sila, 64; Manich, 71; Le Boulanger, 31)Khai Bua BanSamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Kaya Buvanabana? Muang Sua, Lan Xang143314361438 Sop Kham, Lan XangGrandson of Samsenthai(Simms, 99; Sila, 64; Manich, 71)Kham Keut (Kham-Kert, Kham Keul)Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Kama Kirti? Muang Sua, Lan Xang1436 1438 Muang Sua, Lan XangIllegitimate son of SamsenethaiNang Keo Phimpha ນາງແກ້ວພິມພາSamdach Brhat-Anya Sadu Chao Nying Kaeva Bhima Fa Mahadevi ສົມເດັຈພຣະຍາ ສາທຸເຈົ້າຍິງ ແກ້ວພິມພາ ມະຫາເທວີ13431438 Pha-Dieo, Muang Sua
Aged 95Stuart-Fox, Martin “Who was Maha Thevi?" Siam Society Journal, Vol 81. 1993.; ---, The Lao Kingdom of Lan Xang: Rise and Decline, White Lotus Press, 1998. . (pgs. 62-64).Interregnum (1438–1441, rule by Sena and members of Sangha)(Simms, 99; Manich, 71)Chakkaphat Phaen Phaeo (Sai Tia Kaphut or Xainyachakkaphat) Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Sanaka Chakrapati Raja Phen-Phaeo Bhaya Jayadiya Kabuddha1415 Muang Sua, Lan Xang144114791481 Muang Xieng Khane, Lan Xang
Aged 66Son of Samsenthai(Simms, 99; Le Boulanger, 31; Dommen, 64)Souvanna BanlangSamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Suvarna Panya Lankara Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha1455 Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang14791485 Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang
Aged 30Son of Chakkaphat Phaen PhaeoLa Sen Thai (La Sen Thai Puvanart)Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Lankasena Daya Buvananatha Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha1462 Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang14861495 Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang
Aged 33Youngest brother of Suvarna Banlang(Simms, 99; Le Boulanger, 31; Hall, 81; Wyatt, David K. & Aroonrut Wichienkeeo (Ed.), The Chiang Mai Chronicle (trans), Silkworm, Chiang Mai, 1995. SomphouSamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Jumbuya Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha1486 Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang149515001501 Muang Sua, Lan Xang
Aged 15Son of La Sen Thai 1495-1497, under regency by his uncle(Simms, 99; Le Boulanger, 31; Hall, 81; Wyatt, 84)Visoun (also Vixun or Visunarat)Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Visunha Rajadipati Pada Sri Sadhana Kanayudha1465 Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang1500 1520 Vientianne, Lan Xang
Aged 55Son of Sai Tia Kaphut(Simms, 99; Sila, 64; Coedes, George, The Making of Southeast Asia (trans) Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1966.; Stuart-Fox, 93)Photisarath I (also Phothisarath, Phothisarat, or Potisarat)ພະເຈົ້າໂພທິສະລາດSamdach Brhat-Anya Budhisara Maha Dharmikadasa Lankanakuna Maharaja Adipati Chakrapati Bhumina Narindra Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha1505 Xieng-Thong, Lan Xang15208 August 1548 Xieng-Mai Nhotnakorn Palace, Vientiane, Lan Xang
Aged 43Son of Visoun Setthathirathເສດຖາທິຣາດ (also Xaysettha, Chaiyachettha, Chaiyaset or Jayajestha)
ໄຊເສດຖາSamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Udaya Budhara Buvana Brhat Jaya Setha Maharajadiraja Buvanadi Adipati Sri Sadhana Kanayudha24 January 1534 Muang Sua, Lan Xang8 August 15481571 Muang Ong-Kan, Attapeu, Lan Xang
Aged 37Son of PhotisarathAlso King of Lanna r. 1546–1551(Simms, 218; Manich, 67; Saveng, 87; Wyatt, 84)Nokeo KoumaneSamdach Brhat Vora Ratana Dharmapasuta Sethakassa Atsanachandra Suvarna Samudhi Khakharattanasara Raja Bupati1571 Vientianne, Lan Xang15711596 Aged 25Son of SetthathirathFirst reign as a baby under regencySen Soulintha (also Saen Surintha or Sen Sourintha, born Chane Tian)Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Sumangala Ayaka Budhisana Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha1511 Nong-Khai, Siam157215751582 Vientianne, Lan Xang
Aged 71Not of royal descentFirst reign.(Sila, 64; Saveng, Phinith, Contribution a l'Histoire du Royaume de Luang Prabang., École Française d'Extrême-Orient, Vol. CXLI, Paris, 1987.)Voravongsa ISamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Brhatasena Vora Varman Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha?15751579 Keng Chane pass, Vientiane, Lan XangSon of PhotisarathBurmese vassal(Sila, 64; Manich, 67; Saveng, 87)Sen Soulintha (also Saen Surintha or Sen Sourintha, born Chane Tian)Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Sumangala Ayaka Budhisana Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha1511 Nong-Khai, Siam15801582 Vientianne, Lan Xang
Aged 71Not of royal descentSecond reign(Simms, 99; Hall, 81; Saveng, 87)Nakhon NoiSamdach Brhat Chao Samdach Brhat Chao Negara Nawi Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha?15821583? Toungoo EmpireSon of Sen Soulintha. Not of royal descent.(Simms, 99; Le Boulanger, 31; Sila, 64; Hall, 81)Interregnum (1583–1591)Nokeo KoumaneSamdach Brhat Vora Ratana Dharmapasuta Sethakassa Atsanachandra Suvarna Samudhi Khakharattanasara Raja Bupati1571 Vientianne, Lan Xang15911596 Aged 25Son of Setthathirath(Simms, 99; Le Boulanger, 31; Coedes, 66; Hall, 81; Saveng, 87Voravongsa II (Thammikarath)Vara Varman Dharmika Raja Jaya1585159616211622 Aged 37Nephew of Setthathirath(Sila, 64; Saveng, 87)OupagnouvarathSamdach Brhat Chao Maha Upayuvaraja159716211622 Aged 25Son of Voravongsa(Simms, 99; Le Boulanger, 31; Sila, 64)Photisarath IISamdach Brhat-Anya Chao Bandita Buddhisa Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha155216221627 Aged 75Son or grandson of Sen Soulintha Not of royal descent(Simms 99, Le Boulanger, 31; Sila, 64)Mon Keo (Mongkeo)Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Manikya Kaeva Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha?16271633Son of Voravongsa(Sila, 64)Tone KhamSamdach Brhat Chao Dharmakama Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha?16331637Son of Mon KeoVichaiSamdach Brhat Chao Vijaya Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha?16371638Son of Mon KeoSouligna Vongsa (Sourinyavongsa)ສຸຣິຍະວົງສາທັມມິກຣາດSamdach Brhat Chao Suriyalinga Varman Dharmika Raja Parama Pavitra Prasidhadhiraja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha1618 Vientiane, Lan Xang16381694 Vientiane, Lan Xang
Aged 76Son of Tone Kham2nd Golden Age of Lan Xang(Coedes, 66; Le Boulanger, 31; Dommen, 64; Saveng, 87; Stuart-Fox, 93)Tian ThalaSamdach Brhat Chao Devaniasena Chandralaya Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha?169416951696Not of royal descent.Senior minister who usurped the throne reigning for 6 months.(Simms, 99, Le Boulanger, 31; Hall, 81)Nan TharatSamdach Brhat Chao Phya Nanda Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha?16951698 Vientiane, Lan XangGrandson of Vichai(Saveng, 87)Setthathirath II ພຣະເຈົ້າໄຊອົງເວ້ (Sai Ong Hue; Ong Lo; Trieu Phuc)
ໄຊອົງເວ້Somdetch Brhat Chao Maha Sri Jaya Setha Adiraja Darmikaraja Chandrapuri Sri Sadhana Kanayudha1685 Huế, Đại Việt169817061730 Royal Palace, Vientiane
Aged 45Nephew of Souligna Vongsa (whose father was exiled to Vietnam)(Wyatt, 84; Le Boulanger, 31; Dommen, 64; Hall, 81)
Kingdom of Vientiane (1707–1828)