Soulivong Savang

Crown Prince Soulivong Savang (born May 8, 1963), grandson of the last King of Laos Savang Vatthana, is the pretender to the Lao throne. Laos was a monarchy until 1975, when the communist Pathet Lao seized control of the nation, causing Savang Vatthana to abdicate his throne. Soulivong Savang lives in exile in Paris.

Soulivong Savang
Pretender
Born (1963-05-08) May 8, 1963
Luang Prabang
Title(s) Crown Prince
Throne(s) claimed Laos
Pretend from 1980
Monarchy abolished 1975
Last monarch Savang Vatthana
Connection with Grandson
Royal House Khun Lo Dynasty
Father Vong Savang
Mother Princess Mahneelai
Predecessor Savang Vatthana
Lao Royal Family

HRH Hereditary Prince Soulivong Savang
HRH Hereditary Princess Chansouk Soukthala


    • HRH Prince Thayavong Savang
      HH Princess Malika Khammao
    • HRH Prince Kiranvong Savang
    • HRH Prince Anouratha Varman Savang
    • HRH Princess Manisophana Savang
      HRH Prince Saya Khamphhan Panya
    • HRH Princess Sawee Nahlee Savang
      HRH Prince Santi Inthavong
    • HRH Princess Manilama Savang

  • HRH Prince Sisumang Manivong

  • HRH Princess Mekham Ratsami
    • HRH Prince Sayantha Sisavang
    • HRH Prince Bouneya Sisavang
    • HRH Prince Sathienna Sisavang
    • HRH Prince Sui Sisavang
    • HRH Princess Samiya Sisavang
    • HRH Princess Lolita Sisavang

  • HRH Prince Sisouphanouvong Sisaleumsak

  • HRH Prince Sauryavong Savang
    HRH Princess Dalavan
    • HRH Prince Southira Sauryavong Savang
    • HRH Prince Dayavant Sauryavong Savang
    • HRH Prince Balavant Sauryavong Savang
    • HRH Princess Krishnajina Sauryavong Savang

Biography

Soulivong Khantharinh was born at the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang to Crown Prince Vong Khantharinh and Princess Mahneelai of the Kingdom of Laos.

After the communist revolution, some members of the royal family were placed in re-education camps where they reportedly died,[1] although Prince Souphanouvong later became Prime Minister of the newly established republic.[2][3] Prince Khantharinh escaped from captivity in Laos with his younger brother Prince Thayavong Khantharinh in 1981, arriving in France as refugees.

Education

Soulivong Savang attended the University of Clermont-Ferrand in France and also obtained a law degree.[4]

Political aspirations

He has been working to bring about the return of a monarchy as well as "social and charitable reforms" to Laos. His Uncle Prince Sauryavong Khantharinh is currently head of the Laotian royal family and acts as regent to his nephew. A Royal Lao Government in Exile exists.

On September 19, 1997, Soulivong Khantharinh and his Uncle Prince Sauryavong Khantharinh initiated a Royal Lao Conference in Seattle, United States. Over five hundred Lao exiles and representatives of the Hmong, Kmu, Mien, Thaidam and all ethnic minority community attended. This conference established the Lao Representative Abroad Council.

On September 19, 1999, a second conference was held in Montreal, Canada, to follow up the progress of LRAC work and focus on non-profit organizations to support the local and worldwide community through community development, social services, education and job development, promoting cultural activity. Soulivong capitalized on the rise in royalist sentiment in neighboring Thailand.[5]

On November 10, 2007, the Prince married Princess Chansouk Soukthala. The ceremony, which took place in Canada, was attended by 800 guests.

Ancestry

See also

References

  1. Frommer's Cambodia and Laos, p.255.
  2. Christopher Kremmer, Stalking the Elephant Kings, In Search of Laos (1997)
  3. Christopher Kremmer, Bamboo Palace, Discovering the Lost Dynasty of Laos (2003)
  4. Royal Ark
  5. FEER, Kingdom Come?, 17 August 2001
Soulivong Savang
Born: 8 May 1963
Titles in pretence
Preceded by
Vong Savang
 TITULAR 
King of Laos
2 May 1978?/1980?/1984?-
Reason for succession failure:
Monarchy abolished in 1975 – Communist take over
Incumbent
Heir:
Thayavong Savang
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.