Chao FaNgum was the grandson of Phraya Khamphong, the ruler of Meuang Sua (Luangprabang). Because it was reputed that he was born with 33 teeth, an ominous sign for the throne, he was exiled from the land. By the way, onesource said that his father, Phi Fa, committed adultery with his grandfather’sconcubine, both the father and Chao FaNgum fell from the ruler’s favours and had to leave the country.
Another source even said Chao FaNgum wasn’t exiled but was sent tostudy at the Angkor Wat Court. Whatever it may be, one thing was obvious: by growing up in the Foreign land came the wider perspective uninhibited by the constraints of one’s own Land. More importantly, he got the military support from the Khmer court hoping to Check the steady advance of the Tai of Adhutthaya who, at that time, was eroding The Khmer power in Isan region. To strengthen the tie with the future Meuang Sua Ruler, the Khmer king gave Chao FaNgum his daughter, Nang KeoKengYa. Luckily, For Chao FaNgum’s cause, the Sukhothai kingdom was fast in decline leaving a Vacuum in the heartland of Indochina. More over, the new lord of China, the Mongols Preferred to have many contending powers in the region checking on the expansion Of one another. That was one of the reasons Chao FaNgum’s force might consist of Not only Khmer but the descendants of Shan and Yunnanese troops recruited by the Mongols to garrison the Middle Mekong until around 1330. Also, he might also have The support of the LaoTheung as well as the Tai of the Middle Mekong.
http://www.laowaves.com/KingFaNgum/
On his way to Meuang Sua, he struck Meuang Sikhottabong (Nakhone Phanom/Thakek) And then Meuang Phouane. At that time, Chao KhamHiao ? his uncle was the ruler Of Meuang Sua who unable to withstand the invading army of Chao FaNgum had Committed suicide. The aristocrats of Meuang Sua then invited Chao FaNgum to Assume the throne. Given the easiness his force overwhelm the enemy, Chao FaNgum Then struck PhaiNam (Vientiane) who offered the stiff resistance. Only through ruse Did Chao FaNgum succumb this key Meuang. After that, he struck Isan, the Outlying Lao Meuang along the Vietnamese border, Sipsongchuthai, Sipsongphanna, Shan states, Lanna and then Adhutthaya. Though not conquered the last two since they Agreed to sign a favorable agreement with the new power, LanXang under Chao FaNgum Became a strong and powerful kingdom in the region. The king of Adhutthaya then sent His daughter, Nang KeoNghotFa, to Chao FaNgum. This queen later gave birth to Chao SameSenthai whom I will write in the later episode. By the way, in Chao FaNgum’s reign, Buddhism was introduced to the land and, therefore, giving legitimacy to the new dynasty which was to last until 1975.
Here, I would like to mention that the kingdom Chao FaNgum newly established was Called LanXang HomKhao , literally a Million Elephants and a White Parasol. According to Martin Stuart-Fox, LanXang symbolized both military power and royal kingship. It was the choice of the military conqueror: it named his means of projecting military power, warned of retribution for reluctant tributaries, and challenging neighboring Mandalas.
It was interesting to note that Chao FaNgum was the prototype of the Tai ? free, brave, And full of vitality. Though proclaimed a Buddhist, he wasn’t restrained by its mores. He would even put the rulers of the Isan Meuang to death if not by the timely interference Of his Khmer teacher. Also, though supported by the Khmer court in his quest for the Throne, Chao FaNgum wasn’t a Khmer puppet. Instead, his kingdom covered the territory Once under the Khmer rule. That was Isan, the Middle Mekong and possibly the Lower Mekong as well. Only with the passing away of his devout Khmer wife did Chao FaNgum Lost any interest in expanding and ruling his kingdom. It was recorded that he succumbed To adultery and so was exiled to the principality of Nan. Likely, he was deposed because The old aristocracy shunned the favour he heaved on his Khmer followers and therefore Challenged the status quo long established in the seat of power: Meuang Sua. Whatever the excuse Chao FaNgum, a warrior king of heroic proportion, was to die in the foreign Land a distance away from the powerful kingdom he single-handedly helped created.
What a tragedy! At the same time, it showed that the Tai always put Dhamma above Anything else. This Dhamma assertion did occur one more time at the time of Chao Souriyavongsa that would plunge the kingdom into a severely dynastic dispute.
Hakphaang,
LanXang
See more picture at http://www.laowaves.com/KingFaNgum/
more info http://www.panyasin.net or http://www.muanglao.com
Symposium on Lao history
Scope of discussion: LanXang history from 1353 to 1893, the year of the establishment of LanXang kingdom by Chao FaNgum to its dissolution when France and Siam divided it into 2 separate entities.
Special Emphasis: Chao Anou’s reign from 1804-1828.
Key players: Chao FaNgum, Chao Xaysettha, Chao
Souriyavongsa and Chao Anou
Minor playors: Pha Wo/Pha Ta, Chao Siribounyasane and Chao Manthatouraj
Key regions: Vientiane, Luangprabang, Champassak, Meuang Phouane and Nakhon Phanom
External factors: Siam, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia and, to a lesser extent, China. France and England were key factors at the very end of LanXang kingdom.
Expected date: Spring 2003 or Summer 2003
Expected place: Berkeley or Oakland, California
Purpose:
1. To restore to the Lao people a part of their roots and a piece of their lost history.
2. To present Lao history from the perspective of Lao people.
3. To generate a comprehensive understanding of Lao history from various sources which, at times, contradictory ones.
4. To make Lao people see what tasks are entrusted to them.
5. To derive lessons from the 600 years of LanXang kingdom
6. To patch up wounds left by centuries of suspicion, antagonism and even hatred among the Lao descendants everywhere
7. To establish a common good among the educated Lao and a framework for KhuamPenhLao (Lao identity) necessary for the revival of the once great LanXang
8. To extract the core of Lao spirit that has sustained Lao people throughout their hard times
9. To hand down the deepest wishes and dreams of the Lao ancestors
10. To keep the Lao spirit of independence and of dignity alive in the present generation of Lao and in the future generations of Lao to come
The symposium will attempt to extract on both the superficial and deeper level:
1. the strength and weakness of LanXang kingdom
2. Lao-Thai love/hate relationship. What are the cause and the remedy, if any? Most importantly, the role of Siam (present day Thailand) in the breaking up of Lao consciousness. Is this act intentional or a mere by-product of history?
3. The role of Vietnam in the making and/or breaking of LanXang kingdom: myth and facts
4. Was Isan Lao? How strong was the evidence?
5. Was LanXang a strong kingdom? Or a mere conglomeration of petty fiefdoms?
6. Are the Lao the dying race unable to generate its own momentum? If not, what are the signs that constantly elude even the forward thinking Lao?
7. What if France didn’t snatch the present day Laos from Siam, would LanXang ever revive? What was destroyed with the dismantling of LanXang kingdom into 2 separate entities: Laos of Indochinese France and Isan of Thailand?
Most importantly, this symposium will force Lao people to take a good look at their history in its most defying moment, though tragic it may be: Chao Anou’s defying act against Siam. After all said and done, Chao Anou’s reign is the key to Lao history in its microscopic form.
Simply said, the Lao heart lies here in its cowardice and in its valor. What they need to do is to open their hearts and ask themselves: ‘what kind of Lao are we?’
Lastly, Lao people need to come to terms with their own history and then to iron out their constructed difference or they will be just a pretentious heir to LanXang kingdom.
What this symposium aims to accomplish is to make the Lao people give a serious thought to who they are, where they come from and where they are going as a people. Not the least, this symposium wants them to not taking any piece of history for granted but put it through the test of arguments, logic and evidences. If this goal is actualized, it will be worth the effort of the organizers and those who participate in this event.
Possible agenda
Morning session:
Speaker on Lao history from 1353 to 1694 – the end of Chao Souriyavongsa’s reign.
Q&A Panelists on the above topic
Q&A Afternoon session: Speaker on Chao Anou’s reign
Q&A Panelists on the above topic
Q&A Hakphaang,
Kongkeo Saycocie
p.s. any comments or suggestions are wholeheartedly welcome and greatly appreciated here. After all, this is just an initial conception of the symposium on my part. I am sure that, with many heads together either through you or the to-be-appointed committees, the best symposium on Lao history will be formed.
more info http://www.panyasin.net or http://www.muanglao.com