Savang Vatthana

From Freepedia

King Savang Vatthana (November 13, 1907 - June 13 (?), 1978) was the last king of the Kingdom of Laos.

He was born in Louang Phrabang, Laos, the son of King Sisavang Vong and Queen Kham-Oun I.

On August 7, 1930, he married Queen Khamphoui and they had seven children, Crown Prince Vong Savang, Prince Sisavang Savang, Prince Savang , Prince Sauryavong Savang, Princess Savivanh Savang, and Princess Thala Savang.

In 1951, he served as Prime Minister, and when his father became ill on August 20, 1959, he was assigned Regent.

On October 29, 1959, he informally acsended the throne upon the death of his father. He was, however, never officially crowned and anointed king, deferring his coronation to the cessation of civil war, which did not arrive before his forced abdication on December 2, 1975, after the communist revolution. In 1978, he died in an internment camp in northern Laos, along with Queen Khamphoui and Crown Prince Vong Savang.

Upon the news of the deaths of King Savang Vattana and Crown Prince Vong Savang, the King's youngest son Sauryavong Savang became the head of the Laotian royal family, acting as regent to his nephew Crown Prince Soulivong Savang.

Quotes

"I will be with my people to face this problem together to the end regardless of what will happen to me."
"Alas, I am destined to be the last king of Laos."