Looking From the Past into the Future of Lan Xang
Anouvong Sethathirath IV
Independent Researcher
North Carolina, USA
Abstract:
During the war with Rama III of Siam, King Sethathirath III instructed his
surviving son, Prince Rajsavong, to carry on the Sethathirath line and to guard
the royal treasures. As his father's command, Prince Ratsavong married his
cousin, begot a son whom he name "Syharath" and continued the struggle for the
autonomy of Laos. One hundred seventy six years after the war of 1827-1829, his
descendents are still working to help Laotians come to term with their history
and to work with neighboring countries for the greater good of the nation of
Laos.
The presentation will touch on four main areas: (1) the
Buddhist White Robed Monks and the Sethathirath, (2) The Sethathirath Royal
Treasures, (3) Lao-Issara and my Grandfather, and (4) the Future of Laos.