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| Sisavang Vong | |
|---|---|
| King Of Laos | |
 Sisavang Vong inHanoi, 1941 | |
| King ofLaos | |
| Reign | 23 April 1946 – 29 October 1959 |
| Predecessor | Position created |
| Successor | Sisavang Vatthana |
| King of Luang Prabang | |
| Reign | 28 April 1904 – 20 October 1945 |
| Coronation | 4 March 1905 |
| Predecessor | Zakarine |
| Successor | AsKing ofLaos |
| Born | (1885-07-14)14 July 1885 Luang Prabang,Kingdom of Luang Prabang,Siam |
| Died | 29 October 1959(1959-10-29) (aged 74) Luang Prabang,Laos |
| Spouses | PrincessKham-Oun I Princess Khamphane Princess Khamla Princess Khamboua Princess Khamtip Princess Khamtouane Princess Kamaduni Princess Indrakama Princess Kamuni Princess Chansy |
| Issue | Sisavang Vatthana |
| House | Khun Lo |
| Father | Zakarine |
| Mother | Thongsy |
King Sisavangvong (Lao:ພຣະບາທສົມເດັຈພຣະເຈົ້າມະຫາຊີວິຕສີສວ່າງວົງສ໌; bornPrince Khao(ຂາວ) 14 July 1885 – 29 October 1959), known by his courtesy name Sisavangvong, was the last ruler of the LaoKingdom of Luang Prabang and the founding king of theKingdom of Laos. Born Prince Khao on 14 July 1885, he ascended the throne at the age of 18 following the death of his father. In keeping with Lao tradition, he took the courtesy nameSisavangvong.
Born in the Golden Palace of Luang Prabang during his father's reign under French colonial authority, Prince Khao extended his rule over other Lao kingdoms and built a new royal palace during his reign over Luang Prabang. He briefly ruled as king of the Japanese puppet state of Luang Prabang in late 1945, but was dethroned by the Lao Issara for his pro-French stance. He was later reinstated as monarch by the French in 1946, marking the first time in almost 250 years that a Lao monarch ruled the whole of Laos.
Born on 14 July 1885, Prince Khao was the eldest surviving son of KingZakarinth and Queen Consort Thong-sy. He was born in the Golden Palace during his father's reign. During his childhood, Khao studied at the Lycée Chasseloup-Laubat inSaigon, and later at theÉcole Coloniale.[citation needed] He eventually returned to ascend the throne.
Prince Khao became heir apparent on 15 April 1904 following the death of his father on 26 March 1904. He ascended the throne at the Old Royal Palace in Luang Prabang and was crowned King Sisavangvong on 4 March 1905.[citation needed]
In the early years of his reign, Sisavang Vong's residence, theRoyal Palace of Luang Prabang, was built by the French. He managed to unite several provinces under his authority, includingHouaphan in 1931, Houakhong,Xiengkhouang andVientiane in 1942, andChampassak and Sayboury in 1946.
Throughout his reign, Sisavang Vong consistently supported the French administration in Laos. In 1945, he refused to collaborate with Lao nationalists, which led to his removal from power when theLao Issara declared the nation's independence. In April 1946, the French regained control and restored him as king, marking the first time in nearly 250 years that a Lao monarch ruled the entire region now known as Laos.
Sisavang Vong's reign lasted 55 years, during which he ruled over Luang Prabang and Laos.[citation needed] When he fell ill, he appointed his son, Crown PrinceSavang Vatthana, as regent. His son succeeded him after his death in 1959.[1] Sisavang Vong was cremated and buried at Vat That Luang (Luang Prabang) in 1961. His funeral procession included a royal funeral carriage, a 12 metre high wooden hearse decorated with a carved seven-headed snake. Many dignitaries attended the state funeral, including PrinceBhanubandhu Yugala, who represented Thailand.
Sisavangvong University was founded in his honour, but was closed in 1975 when the communist regime took control of Laos. Notably, statues of Sisavang Vong remain in Luang Prabang and Vientiane, surviving the communist revolution. These statues show him giving the people a constitution, symbolising his role in achieving independence from theFrench Union.
Sisavang Vong has been described as the "playboy king". He had 10 wives and 50 children, 14 of whom died in a boating accident on the Mekong River.
Wives:
Sisavang Vong Born: 14 July 1885 Died: 29 October 1959 | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | King of Laos 28 April 1904 – 20 October 1945 | Succeeded by Independence from France Phetsarath Rattanavongsa as de facto head of state |
| Preceded by Independence from France Phetsarath Rattanavongsa | King of Laos 23 April 1946 – 29 October 1959 | Succeeded by |
Heads of state of Laos | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom of Laos Kings (1945–1975) | .svg) |
| Lao People's Democratic Republic Presidents (1975–) | |
* acting for Souphanouvong | |
