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 constitutional monarchy until 1975, when the Communist Pathet Lao took over the nation. Soulivong Savang lives in exile in Paris, France.

Biography

Soulivong Savang was born at the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang to Crown Prince Vong Savang and Princess Mahneelai. After the communist revolution, some members of the Royal Family were taken into captivity to be 're-educated'. Savang escaped from captivity from Laos with his younger brother Prince Thayavong Savang in 1981, arriving in France as refugees. Those members of the Royal Family who did not escape were progressively murdered or died of ill-treatment ^{[1] [2]}. Soulivong Savang attended the University of Clermont-Ferrand in France and also obtained a law degree. He has been working to bring "social and charitable reforms" for the people of Laos and the return of a constitutional monarchy to Laos to benefit the people. His Uncle Prince Sauryavong Savang is currently head of the Laotian royal family and acts as regent to his nephew. In September 1997, Soulivong Savang and his brother Prince Thayavong Savang along with their Uncle Prince Sauryavong Savang initiated a Royal Lao Conference in Seattle, United States. Over three hundred Lao exiles and representatives of the Hmong community attended. The Revered Hmong Leader and Former Royal Lao Army Commander, General Vang Pao, was in attendance and a strong force at this meeting. Many of the American Lao and Hmong community members stressed that they will support a Constitutional Monarchy again in Laos if Prince Soulivong Savang "initiates the stand". They believe, and some know, that none of this will be possible without another Laotian civil war. However, a resolution was established at this historic meeting between the Lao and Hmong leaders and the Royal Family, and it held the common goal to change "the totalitarian regime to a genuine democratic system", and "the reunification of the Lao people". Soulivong Savang works along with other members of the Lao Royal Family such as Prince Sauryavong Savang, Prince Mangkra Souvannaphouma and Prince Thayavong Savang to establish a constitutional monarchy in Laos.

See also

Vang Tao Incident
Prince Souvanna Phouma
Prince Phetsarath Rattanavongsa
Pathet Lao

Quotes

• "If they need me to be Lao King I will be at their disposal."

External links

• Crown Prince Soulivong Savang met with French Foreign Ministry officials and unveiled a plan to bring democracy to Laos
• Exiled Laos Prince Appeals to US by Washington Post
• Former Royal Laos Flag & Laos National Anthem
• The Prince of Laos visits with the Hmong community in Minnesota
• Speech of His Royal Highness Prince Soulivong Savang at Bowdoin College
• Political turmoil comes to one of the most isolated communist ruled countries in Southeast Asia
• Press release of the Lao Royal Family
• LAOS: ROYALTY Kingdom Come?
• Laos Royals offers to return to restore order
• Deposed Lao family adds royal touch to Farmington temple; Families gather for day of worship and remembrance
• Laos Royals pay respects to September 11, 2001 Victims (Photos)
• Welcoming speech of Crown Prince Soulivong Savang (French)

Pretenders to the Lao throne since 1975
King Savang Vatthana Crown Prince Vong Savang Prince Soulivong Savang