Laos: Back to a Land of Three Kingdoms?

Summary

Following the end of the reign of King Souligna Vongsa (1633–90), an era commonly referred to as the Golden Era of a united Lao kingdom, the ensuing internal succession struggles, combined with growing external encroachment by its powerful neighbours, led to the division of the land into three distinct protectorates, with centres in Luangphrabang in the North, Vientiane in the Central region, and Champasak in the South. At varying times during the eighteenth century, these distinct areas were at risk of being absorbed by Laos' neighbours because of the competing interests of the more powerful states of Burma, Siam, and Vietnam. By the early nineteenth century, Siam had exerted its hegemony in the struggle over much of what is now contemporary Laos. Political configurations shifted once again as French colonialism extended into the rest of Indochina from Vietnam by the late nineteenth century. Laos was preserved through its role as a buffer state. Since this territorial consolidation, its existence has been greatly marginalized for most of the twentieth century, almost intentionally, as it settled into its fateful position as a complacent junction of mainland South- east Asia. However, in recent years, its sleepy reputation as Asia's fringe state is rapidly changing as the spillover influences of its dynamic neighbours are once again shaking the cradle of its existence.

The events of 1995 can again be epitomized by the themes of greater engagement and regional integration externally, while continuing development initiatives at home. Underlying these rosy visions of enhanced co-operation are what may amount to a myopic view towards the real dangers that may follow. Especially to a traditionally isolated and land-locked country such as Laos, greater openness may be necessary for survival, but at the same time leave it more vulnerable to a host of social, political, and other unwanted influences upon its traditional culture. As evidence of this trend, in recent years, traditional soul and kin mates Vietnam and Thailand, respectively, as well as China, the emerging player to the North, have shown signs of extending spheres of influence, especially towards adjacent provinces in neighbouring Laos.