Historical Timeline

Timeline of Laos

35 dated events spanning the recorded history of Laos.

Chronology

35 events spanning the history of Laos. BCE/CE dating.

500
Mid-sixth century Zhenla established, centered on Champasak.
Mid-sixth century Zhenla established, centered on Champasak.
700
Eighth-twelfth centuries Mon mandala of central Mekong region fall under Khmer domination.
Eighth-twelfth centuries Mon mandala of central Mekong region fall under Khmer domination; Theravada Buddhism spread by Mon monks.
1100
Twelfth century Candapuri mandala in Vientiane region absorbed within Khmer Empire.
Twelfth century Candapuri mandala in Vientiane region absorbed within Khmer Empire.
1271 – 1272
Panya Lang rules Xieng Dong Xieng Thong.
Panya Lang rules Xieng Dong Xieng Thong.
1279
Tai mandala of Sukhotai founded by King Ramkhamhaeng.
Tai mandala of Sukhotai founded by King Ramkhamhaeng; Xieng Dong Xieng Thong and Muang Vieng Chan Vieng Kham (Vientiane) briefly incorporated into Sukhotai mandala.
1353 – 1373
Reign of Fa Ngum, king of Lan Xang; beginning of recorded Laotian history.
Reign of Fa Ngum, king of Lan Xang; beginning of recorded Laotian history.
1373 – 1547
Successors of Fa Ngum continue to organize Lan Xang
Successors of Fa Ngum continue to organize Lan Xang; Phetsarath (r. 1520-47) involves Lan Xang in battles against Burma and Siam lasting two centuries.
1603
Lan Xang renounces tributary ties to Burma.
Lan Xang renounces tributary ties to Burma.
1621 – 1713
Succession struggles for throne of Lan Xang result in accession of King Souligna Vongsa.
Succession struggles for throne of Lan Xang result in accession of King Souligna Vongsa (r. 1633-90); his death engenders succession struggle among his nephews, culminating in division of Lan Xang into kingdoms of Louangphrabang and Vientiane; south further divides into Kingdom of Champasak in 1713.
1700
Eighteenth century Lao states try to maintain independence from Burma.
Eighteenth century Lao states of Louangphrabang, Vientiane, and Champasak try to maintain independence from Burma and Siam but eventually come under Siamese control.

1772
Suryavong seizes throne of Louangphrabang.
Suryavong seizes throne of Louangphrabang.
1778
Beginning of Siamese domination of Champasak, Vientiane, and Louangphrabang.
Beginning of Siamese domination of Champasak, Vientiane, and Louangphrabang.
1893
Laos becomes a French protectorate until 1945.
Laos becomes a French protectorate until 1945, when it is briefly occupied by the Japanese towards the end of World War II.
1895
Laos, as French protectorate, divided into Upper Laos and Lower Laos.
Laos, as French protectorate, divided into Upper Laos and Lower Laos.
1896
Anglo-French Convention defines British and French spheres of influence in mainland Southeast Asia.
Anglo-French Convention defines British and French spheres of influence in mainland Southeast Asia.
1925 – 1926
Further treaties and agreements finalize border questions.
Further treaties and agreements finalize border questions and establish permanent Franco-Siamese High Commission of the Mekong.

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Timeline of Laos

Chronology

Mid-sixth century Zhenla established, centered on Champasak.

Eighth-twelfth centuries Mon mandala of central Mekong region fall under Khmer domination.

Twelfth century Candapuri mandala in Vientiane region absorbed within Khmer Empire.

Panya Lang rules Xieng Dong Xieng Thong.

Tai mandala of Sukhotai founded by King Ramkhamhaeng.

Reign of Fa Ngum, king of Lan Xang; beginning of recorded Laotian history.

Successors of Fa Ngum continue to organize Lan Xang

Lan Xang renounces tributary ties to Burma.

Succession struggles for throne of Lan Xang result in accession of King Souligna Vongsa.

Eighteenth century Lao states try to maintain independence from Burma.