1946
Sisavang Vong deposed; French begin reoccupation of Laos, March; Sisavang Vong reinstated as king by Lao Issara government; French retake Vientiane, and Lao Issara government flees to Thailand; Franco-Lao modus vivendi establishes unity of Kingdom of Laos; Thailand returns former Laotian territories of Xaignabouri and Champasak to Laos.

1947
Constitution promulgated, making Laos a constitutional monarchy; elections held for National Assembly; Prince Souvannarath forms government of Kingdom of Laos.

1949
Kaysone Phomvihan forms Latsavong detachment, armed forces of Pathet Lao, the genesis of Lao People's Liberation Army (LPLA); Franco-Lao General Convention grants Laos limited self-government within French Union; Lao Issara government-in-exile dissolves, and members return to Laos or join newly formed Pathet Lao on Vietnam border.

February 1950
United States and Britain recognize Laos as an Associated State in French Union.

August 1950
Pathet Lao form "resistance government."

February 1951
Indochinese Communist Party dissolves; separate parties established in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

October 22, 1953
Franco-Lao Treaty of Amity and Association transfers remaining French powers to Royal Lao Government (RLG)--while retaining control of military affairs--and completes independence of Laos.

May - July 1954
Laos participates in Geneva Conference on Indochina; under armistice agreements signed by French and Viet Minh on July 20, Viet Minh agree to withdraw from Laos, and Phôngsali and Houaphan provinces are designated regroupment areas for Pathet Lao; RLG pledges to integrate Pathet Lao fighters; International Control Commission established to implement agreements.

March 1955
Phak Pasason Lao (Lao People's Party--LPP) established; first congress held.

December 14, 1955
Laos admitted to the United Nations.

1956 - 57
Negotiations between RLG and Pathet Lao.

January 1956
Pathet Lao congress establishes Lao Patriotic Front (LPF).

September 1956
Constitution amended to allow formation of coalition government.

November 1957
First coalition government formed.

May 1958
LPF and allies win partial elections for National Assembly.

July 1958
Souvanna Phouma government resigns following cabinet crisis caused by rightists.

August 1958
Rightist government of Phoui Sananikone formed, excluding LPF.

July - August 1959
Fighting breaks out in northern Laos; UN subcommittee investigates charges of North Vietnam's involvement; LPF deputies arrested.

October 1959
King Sisavang Vong dies; Savang Vatthana succeeds to the throne, rules until 1975.

January 1960
Kou Abhay forms provisional government following coup attempt by army.

April 1960
Elections for National Assembly believed rigged.

December 1960
Phoumi Nosavan captures Vientiane; Soviet airlift begins to Kong Le and Pathet Lao troops.

January 1961
Souvanna Phouma government recognized by communist bloc; Prince Boun Oum's Vientiane government recognized by West; heavy fighting breaks out; North Vietnamese troops involved.

May 1961 - June 1962
Second Geneva Conference on Laos; agreements among Neutralist, Pathet Lao, and rightist factions prepare way for second coalition government.

1963 - May 1964
Laos increasingly linked with developments in Vietnam; North Vietnamese troops fail to withdraw; Ho Chi Minh Trail expanded; second coalition government collapses; Pathet Lao offensive against Neutralists on Plain of Jars succeeds; International Control Commission proves ineffective; bombing by United States begins.

1968 - 74
Fighting escalates between Pathet Lao's LPLA and Royal Lao Army; Hmong under Vang Pao resist Pathet Lao - North Vietnamese advances; Second Party Congress held, 1972; LPP renamed Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP); RLG and Pathet Lao begin negotiations for cease-fire in 1972, resulting in Vientiane Agreement signed in February 1973; cease-fire proclaimed, bombing by United States ends; protocol forming third coalition government signed September 1973; government takes office by royal decree April 1974 as Provisional Government of National Union.

August 1974 - November 1975
Fighting resumes; Vang Pao flees to Thailand; senior rightist ministers and generals leave for Thailand; LPLA "liberates" provincial capitals; reeducation centers or "seminar camps" opened; "Revolutionary Administration" takes power in Vientiane; elections held for local people's councils.

Source: © Laos A Country Study

Copyright © 2000 Hatlavongsa. All rights reserved.