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Internat ional Relations Year 1

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The politics and relations of Lan Xang, 1354 – 1707

1. During the time of the Lan Xang kingdom, from 1354 to 1707, there were no borders between
states as there are today. In fact, there were no states or countries, as we know them today.
Spheres of influence and power changed significantly over time as wars were won and lost, or as
strong rulers died and kingdoms fell into strife and division.

2. The map shows the various kingdoms of Southeast Asia around the year 1400. The early years of
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Lan Xang in the 14 century was a time of change, as the great Khmer Kingdom to the south, lost
power and fell into war and disunity. This saw the rise of the kingdom of Ayudhya, as it expanded
eastwards and southwards. Fa Ngum returned from exile in the Khmer Kingdom with his Khmer
wife and an army of 10,000 to secure his lost legacy. By the time he made it as far north as
Vientiane, his army had grown to 50,000 men. He took Vientiane in an epic battle and replaced
his uncle, thereby creating the new kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao (The Kingdom of a Million
Elephants under a White Parasol).

3. Intermarriage between royal families of neighbouring dynasties was common and was an
effective way of maintaining good relations between rival kingdoms. Samsenthai, for instance,
took wives from the kingdoms of Ayudhya to the south and Lan Na to the north- west, thus
helping to ensure peaceful alliances. Sethathirat married a princess from Lan Na and was due to
marry a princess from the Kingdom of Ayudhya, but Burmese soldiers kidnapped her en route to
Lan Xang. This strengthened the relationship between Ayudhya and Lan Xang against the
expansionist Burmese kingdom.

4. Over time, other regions became stronger and threatened the lands and people of nearby
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kingdoms. Lan Xang came under attack at various times in its history. In the late 15 century, the
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Vietnamese Le dynasty briefly occupied Lan Xang. In the late 16 century, after the death of King
Sethathirat at the age of 38, Lan Xang was under Burmese control for eighteen years. The reign of
King Sourigna Vongsa (1637- 1694), a strong, austere and lawful monarch, saw Lan Xang reclaim
its former power and enjoy what was called Lan Xang’s Golden Age.

5. Often, however, the greatest threat to a kingdom came from within. The death of a strong leader
without a rightful heir left a power vacuum, which rival noble families fought to fill. Securing a
peaceful succession was often the greatest challenge. The death of Samsenthai in 1417 led to
years of strife as powerful families fought to succeed him. Likewise, the death of Phothisarat in
1548 meant that Sethathirat had to rush back from Lan Na, in order to prevent his rival brothers
from seizing power in Lan Xang. The death of Sourigna Vongsa in 1694 without a rightful heir
marked the end of the Kingdom of Lan Xang. By 1707, Lan Xang was divided into three separate
kingdoms: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champasak.

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