Tiao Phetsarath
Tiao Phetsarath Ratanavongsa was the son of Tiao Maha Boun Khong and his second wife Thongsi. He was born on 19th January 1890 in the Front Palace near Wat That, just three years before the start of French colonial rule in Laos. He spent eight years at school in Paris before returning aged 24 to Luang Prabang to enter the French colonial administration as a clerk-writer at the Treasury. His family connections together with considerable natural talents resulted in him moving rapidly upwards in the administration. By the 1930’s he was the most senior Lao official in the country being sometimes referred to as the “king of Vientiane” and having more real power than the king in Luang Prabang.
At the outbreak of World War II Prince Phetsarath was the highest ranking Lao in the French administration
When World War II broke out Thailand attacked French forces in Laos and Cambodia to reclaim territories that it believed had been taken from it unjustly. After some fighting the Japanese brokered a settlement which gave the provinces of Champasak and Xaiyaboury to Thailand. In an attempt at compensation the French extended the king’s dominion to the ancient capital of Xieng Khouang and also Vientiane. Phetsarath was appointed Upahat, a position the French had abolished when his father had died, and was also appointed as Prime Minister of a council of ministers presiding over the new expanded kingdom.
On March 9, 1945, the Japanese seized direct control over Indochina, arresting the French officials who administered the colony. The Japanese seized control in Vientiane the following day but it wasn’t until early April that Luang Prabang was also bought under their control. So it was on April 8, 1945, that the king declared that “our Kingdom of Laos, formerly a colony of France, is now an independent nation” whilst adding “I hereby declare that our Kingdom has agreed to cooperate in all things with Japan”. However, just four months later the Japanese surrendered to the Allies.
As the war ended Prince Phetsarath firmly believed that the declaration of Lao independence should stand whereas the king wanted to return the country to its status as a French colony. On September 15, 1945, Phetsarath in his role as “Prince Viceroy-Prime Minister” attempted to force the issue by issuing an announcement that a national coalition government was to be formed in Vientiane. The king responded by dismissing Phetsarath from both his positions of Upahat and Prime Minister.
Phetsarath joined a Free Lao government in Vientiane which aimed to unify the country and resist the return of the French. A declaration was issued deposing the king and on 10 November forces loyal to the Free Lao overcame the almost non-existent security at the palace in Luang Prabang and arrested the king. Phetsarath was now the Honorary President of Laos. But French reoccupation forces made steady advances from the south and by April 1946 they had retaken Vientiane. Luang Prabang was back in French control soon after and the king restored to his old position as figurehead ruler of a French colony.
As the war ended Prince Phetsarath firmly believed that the declaration of Lao independence should stand whereas the king wanted to return the country to its status as a French colony. On September 15, 1945, Phetsarath in his role as “Prince Viceroy-Prime Minister” attempted to force the issue by issuing an announcement that a national coalition government was to be formed in Vientiane. The king responded by dismissing Phetsarath from both his positions of Upahat and Prime Minister.
Phetsarath joined a Free Lao government in Vientiane which aimed to unify the country and resist the return of the French. A declaration was issued deposing the king and on 10 November forces loyal to the Free Lao overcame the almost non-existent security at the palace in Luang Prabang and arrested the king. Phetsarath was now the Honorary President of Laos. But French reoccupation forces made steady advances from the south and by April 1946 they had retaken Vientiane. Luang Prabang was back in French control soon after and the king restored to his old position as figurehead ruler of a French colony.
Members of the short-lived Free Lao Government that ruled from Vientiane 1945-46
Phetsarath and the Free Lao government fled to exile in Thailand where it worked with Vietnamese and Cambodian resistance groups to continue the armed struggle against the French. However, in November 1947 a new Bangkok government ordered the Free Lao forces out of Thailand. Meanwhile the French announced a new constitution for Laos under which elections were to be held and the first semi-independent Royal Lao Government established within the French Union. Whilst not delivering full independence to the country many in the Free Lao movement saw it as an acceptable compromise. In October 1949 the movement was dissolved and the safe return of many of the Free Lao leaders was negotiated with the French.
Prince Phetsarath chose to remain in exile in Bangkok where he took as his third wife Aphimphone Yongchaiyudh (Aunt to the later Thai Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh) who had provided material assistance to the Free Lao movement during its exile. With no formal position Phetsarath was effectively side-lined from the on-going struggle to create an independent Lao nation.
Finally in March 1957 he returned to Vientiane where he received a rapturous welcome. One month later he returned to Luang Prabang and on April 16 he had an audience with the king who restored his title of Upahat.
Prince Phetsarath chose to remain in exile in Bangkok where he took as his third wife Aphimphone Yongchaiyudh (Aunt to the later Thai Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh) who had provided material assistance to the Free Lao movement during its exile. With no formal position Phetsarath was effectively side-lined from the on-going struggle to create an independent Lao nation.
Finally in March 1957 he returned to Vientiane where he received a rapturous welcome. One month later he returned to Luang Prabang and on April 16 he had an audience with the king who restored his title of Upahat.
After 12 years in exile Prince Phetsarath was received by King Sisavangvong in April 1957 and was restored to the position of Upahat
In his final years he generally remained out of politics except to sometimes play the role of mediator between the left and right factions. He preferred to spend his time hiking, hunting and pursuing cultural activities. Phetsarath died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage on October 14, 1959, aged 69. On the day of his funeral 100,000 people lined the road from his home at Xieng Keo to Vat That Luang in Luang Prabang. His remains are interred in the stupa in front of Vat Maha That.
Six decades after his passing Prince Phetsarath is officially viewed as a nationalist hero despite never joining with the Pathet Lao communists. His solid credentials of supporting Lao independence and leading the Free Lao movement allow the current government to gloss over his past as a royal who worked at the highest levels of the French colonial government.
But beyond the official view, Phetsarath’s legacy lives on in the minds of the Lao people as a semi-divine figure. Outside of his political roles, Phetsarath was devoted to preserving Lao culture. In 1937 he had been appointed to head the Buddhist Council of Laos. In this role he set up Pali education for monks and also established a library to collect old manuscripts. His collection of Buddha statues and other artefacts can still be seen stored at Vat Visounarat which was established as a Museum of Religious Art in 1942. He helped in writing the first national history of Laos and was active in formulating the modern Lao writing system (Significantly, blocking a proposal to write Lao using Thai script). Stories abound of his super-natural powers and amulets bearing his image are still commonly seen worn around necks or hung in the front of vehicles to ward off evil.
But beyond the official view, Phetsarath’s legacy lives on in the minds of the Lao people as a semi-divine figure. Outside of his political roles, Phetsarath was devoted to preserving Lao culture. In 1937 he had been appointed to head the Buddhist Council of Laos. In this role he set up Pali education for monks and also established a library to collect old manuscripts. His collection of Buddha statues and other artefacts can still be seen stored at Vat Visounarat which was established as a Museum of Religious Art in 1942. He helped in writing the first national history of Laos and was active in formulating the modern Lao writing system (Significantly, blocking a proposal to write Lao using Thai script). Stories abound of his super-natural powers and amulets bearing his image are still commonly seen worn around necks or hung in the front of vehicles to ward off evil.
Amulets of Prince Phetsarath, on sale together with Buddhist amulets in Luang Prabang night market, are still popular for warding off evil