Ong Keo

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Ong Keo led the Khom to fight the French and Lao from 1901 to 1937. He was an Alak, born in Ban Paktai.

His father was a village chief. Ong Keo moved rapidly up the leadership ladder because of his charisma and intelligence, and because he was fluent in Lao and Pali. He performed religious ceremonies on Mount Tayun, which was close to his home village. He advocated that the foreigners be thrown out. His followers grew quickly and soon they began calling him Phu Mi Boun ("The Holy Mam") and then Pha Ong Keo ("The Saint who possess the miraculous stone").

He launched his rebellion in Thateng (now Sekong Province) in response to the destruction of the temple of Ban Nong Mek. This rebellion lasted six years before a truce could made. Phu Mi Boun never truly surrendered, but he was forced to stop the uprising based on bad conditions of his troops. He encouraged disciples such as Ong Kommandam to carry on his struggle. The Commisionioner Saravance, Dauplay, angered at Phu Mi Boun's activities, summoned him to a meeter, and shot him with a gun.