Savang Vatthana
| Sisavang Vatthana | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| King of Laos | |
| Reign | 29 October 1959 – 2 December 1975 |
| Predecessor | Sisavang Vong |
| Successor | Monarchy abolished; Prince Souphanouvong becomes President in 1975 |
| Born |
13 November 1907 Luang Phrabang, Laos |
| Died | 13 May?, 1978 or as late as 1984 Sam Neua, Laos |
| Spouse | Queen Khamphoui |
| Issue | Crown Prince Vong Savang Princess Savivanh Savang Princess Thala Savang Prince Sisavang Savang Prince Sauryavong Savang |
| House | Khun Lo Dynasty |
| Father | Sisavang Vong |
| Mother | Kham-Oun I |
|
Styles of King of Laos |
|
|---|---|
| Reference style | His Majesty |
| Spoken style | His Majesty |
| Alternative style | Sir |
Sisavang Vatthana (Lao: ພຣະບາທສົມເດັຈພຣະເຈົ້າມະຫາຊີວິຕສີສວ່າງວັດທະນາ) or sometimes Savang Vatthana (full title: Samdach Brhat Chao Mavattaha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Phra Rajanachakra Lao Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Savangsa Vadhana; 13 November 1907 – 13 May 1978 ~ 1984) was the last king of the Kingdom of Laos and the 6th Prime Minister of Laos serving from 15 October to 21 November 1951. He ruled from 1959 after his father's death until his forced abdication in 1975. Savang Vatthana proved unable to manage a country in political turmoil. His rule ended with the takeover by the Pathet Lao in 1975, after which he and his family were sent to a re-education camp by the new government.
Prince Savang Vatthana was born on 13 November 1907 at the Royal Palace of Luang Prabang, the son of King Sisavang Vong and Queen Kham-Oun I. He was the second of five children along with Princess Khampheng, Princess Sammathi, Prince Sayasack, and Prince Souphantharangsri. He was also a distant cousin of Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Souphanouvong. At the age of 10, Prince Savang was sent to study in France. He attended a lycée in Montpellier and obtained a degree from École Libre des Sciences Politiques (now called Sciences Po) in Paris, where French diplomats were trained. The young heir continued his studies in France, and after a decade overseas, he could no longer speak Lao. Upon his return, he had to be instructed by a palace functionary for years.
On 7 August 1930, he married Queen Khamphoui and they had five children, Crown Prince Vong Savang, Prince Sisavang Savang, Prince Sauryavong Savang, Princess Savivanh Savang, and Princess Thala Savang. The family played tennis together, and liked to attend major tournaments on their travels abroad. The prince was also a devout Buddhist and became an authority on the sangkha, and would later took his role as protector of the state religion seriously.
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