ສວນເຈົ້າໄຊເສດຖາ / Saysettha Park, Vientiane Laos
ສວນເຈົ້າໄຊເສດຖາ
Saysettha Park, Vientiane Laos
Here I take a look around Saysettha Park, named after the great Lao King Setthathirath. Throughout the 1560s until his death, he successfully defended his kingdom of Lan Xang against military campaigns of the Burmese conqueror Bayinnaung, who had already subdued Xieng Mai (Chiang Mai) in 1558 and Ayutthaya in 1564. Setthathirath was a prolific builder and erected many Buddhist monuments including Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang and the Phra That Luang in Vientiane.
The Statue of the king is seen in the centre of the park opposite the entrance to the Phra That Luang.
Advancer#6 Pha That Luang, Vientiane, Lao PDR 11/1/2012
Pha That Luang, Vientiane, Lao PDR
1 November 2012
A Buddhist golden stupa at 45 metres tall believed to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha. It is considered as the most important national cultural monument in Lao PDR originally built in 1566 by King Setthathirath and restored in 1953. King Setthathirath was one of the most notable kings who had ruled the Kingdom from 1548-1571. He moved the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
LAOS: The magnificent BUDDHIST TEMPLES in VIENTIANE ????
SUBSCRIBE: - Let;s visit the beautiful city of Vientiane, the capital of Laos, which houses a great number of temples. Many were built in the 16th century when King Setthathirath had made the town the new capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom. Unfortunately, most were destroyed by invaders of Siam (present day Thailand) when their armies looted and burned the city in 1827. In this video we are going to visit some of the remaining temples and some that have been painfully restored over the last few decades.
Laos is a Southeast Asian country traversed by the Mekong River and known for mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and Buddhist monasteries. Vientiane, the capital, is the site of the That Luang monument, where a reliquary reportedly houses the Buddha’s breastbone, plus the Patuxai war memorial and Talat Sao (Morning Market), a complex jammed with food, clothes and craft stalls.
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Physical work-out at the King , jao Anou park , Vientien city, Laos. December 2012
Physical work-out at the King , jao Anou park , Vientien city, Laos. December 2012
ອອກກໍາລັງກາຍ ເພື່ອສຸຂະພາບ ຮ່າງກາຍແຂງແຮງ, ອະນາໄມດີ, ຫຸ່ນສວຍສົດງົດງາມ ... ຢູ່ທີ່ ສວນອາຍຸທະຍານ ພຮະເຈົ້າ ອານຸວົງ, ແຫ່ງເມືອງຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ, ປະເທດລາວມ ປີ 2012
Lao NEWS on LNTV: Hor Pha Keo museum in central Vientiane as a must-see for visitors.23/5/2016
VO Local tour operators always list the Hor Pha Keo museum in central Vientiane as a must-see for visitors
INTRO: Local tour operators always list the Hor Pha Keo museum in central Vientiane as a must-see for visitors thanks to its impressive architecture and collection of prized artefacts. According to Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Bouangeun Xaphouvong, Hor Pha Keo temple or museum is one of the most respected places in Laos and is also open for visitors to explore its antiquities.
STORY: Hor Pha Keo is one of the oldest buildings in Vientiane and was used as a royal chapel during the time of the Lane Xang Kingdom and also housed the precious Emerald Buddha (Pha Keo). It was built in 1565 during the reign of King Setthathirath.
The building was badly damaged several times by enemies but it was twice restored. The first renovation occurred in 1816 when Chao Anouvong ruled Vientiane, while the second renovation was undertaken between 1936 and1942.
A visit to Hor Pha Keo often inspires visitors to delve into Laos' rich past with the site being the former resting place of the revered Emerald Buddha.
Interview: Bouangeun Xaphouvong, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism,
…. English….
According to Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Bouangeun Xaphouvong, the Hor Pha Keo temple or museum is one of the most respected places in Laos and is also open for visitors to explore its antiquities.
Interview: Bouangeun Xaphouvong, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism,
…. English….
According to him, each year, as there were a large number of tourists visiting the museum, the building's age required that it be restored.
After national liberation in 1975, the government placed Hor Pha Keo under the management of the Ministry of Education and it became a museum in 1987.
From 1983-1987, Hor Pha Keo was under the responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Interview: ….
The MICT’senoir official, who has headed the Hor Pha Keo Museum renovation project committee since 2015, said the restoration would make the place more attractive to foreign and local visitors alike.
Restoration of the Hor Pha Keo Museum began in January 2015 and the Vientiane authority will continue to rally financial support for the project until all the work is finished.
The current renovation of the museum is the third major overhaul since it was built in 1565 during the reign of King Saysetthathirath.
The museum was destroyed when the Siamese invaded Vientiane in 1779 and took the Emerald Buddha to Siam (Thailand). The Emerald Buddha is now housed in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.
The Siamese invaded Vientiane again in 1826-29, sacked and burned the city and once again destroyed the temple.
After national liberation in 1975, the government placed Hor Pha Keo under the management of the Ministry of Education and it was designated a national museum in 1987.
From 1983-1987 Hor Pha Keo came under the responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Over the years, renovation of the museum has been supported not only by the government, but also by many donors from Laos and overseas.
Lao History Chao Setthathirath (King Sethathirath)
Also known as Chao Sayasetthathirath.
Du lịch Lào King Setthathirath Statute -That Luang Part 02
Vientiane after dark
Here I present a look around the sights of Vientiane after dark.
My starting point is the Patuxai Victory Monument & park, passing the World Peace Gong to the National emblem of Laos, the Phra That Luang & the statue of King Si Setthathirath. Heading back into the centre of the city I pass the entrance to the French Embassy Residence & the museum Wat Sisaket with its Ho trai built to house the Tipitaka scriptures. Heading towards the Mekong River, I pass the newly extended Presidential Palace, the Fude Miao Chinese Temple. Next comes the grand statue of Chao Anouvong & the Night Market. Stopping at the statue of the much revered King, Fa Ngum, my last stoip is to take a well earned coffee & cake at the Brugel Bakery.
Laos - Patuxai
Completed in 1968.
Patuxai meaning Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph, formerly the Anousavary or Anosavari Monument is a war monument in the centre of Vientiane, Laos, built between 1957 and 1968. The Patuxai was dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. In romanising the name from the Laotian language, it is variously transliterated as Patuxai, Patuxay, Patousai and Patusai. It is also called Patuxai Arch or the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane as it resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However, it is typically Laotian in design, decorated with mythological creatures such as the kinnari.
#Patuxai #VictoryGate #ArcdeTriompheofVientiane #Laos
History of Vientiane - Laos Part 5
Vientiane (pronounced /vjɛnˈtjɑːn/, Lao ວຽງຈັນ Wiang-jun; Thai เวียงจันทน์ Wiang-chan, IPA: [wíəŋ tɕàn]; literally City of Sandalwood) is the capital and largest city of Laos, situated in the Mekong river.
Sri Sattanak, or Sisattanak (Lao: ສີສັດຕະນາກ; Pali: श्रि शत्तनक् शिसत्तनक्), is a former name of Vientiane. It is often confused with Sri Sattanakanahut, the Pali name of Lan Xang, the Kingdom of the Million Elephants. Sisattanak now is the name of one of the five districts of the city Vientiane.
The name of the city is derived from Pali, the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism. Its original meaning is royal sandalwood grove or city of sandalwood, this tree being highly valued in classical India for its fragrance. In modern Lao, the meaning of Vientiane is ambiguous, and is often mistakenly believed to mean city of the moon, because the words for 'moon (chandra (चन्द) in Sanskrit)' and 'sandalwood (chandana (चन्दन) in Sanskrit)' are written and pronounced identically as 'jan'. However, the name in Thai, เวียงจันทน์, retains the etymologically correct spelling, and clearly indicates city of sandalwood as the meaning. The romanized spelling Vientiane is of French origin, and reflects the difficulty the French had in pronouncing the hard j sound in the Lao word; a common English-based spelling is Viangchan, or occasionally Wiangchan.
The great Laotian epic, the Phra Lak Phra Lam, claims that Prince Thattaradtha founded the city when he left the legendary Lao kingdom of Muong Inthapatha Maha Nakhone because he was denied the throne in favor of his younger brother. Thattaradtha founded a city called Maha Thani Si Phan Phao on the western banks of the Mekong River; this city was told to have later become today's Udon Thani, Thailand. One day, a seven-headed Naga told Thattaradtha to start a new city on the eastern bank of the river opposite Maha Thani Si Phan Phao. The prince called this city Chanthabuly Si Sattanakhanahud; which was told to be the predecessor of modern Vientiane.
Contrary to the Phra Lak Phra Ram, most historians believe Vientiane was an early Khmer settlement centered around a Hindu temple, which the Pha That Luang would later replace. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the time when the Lao and Thai people are believed to have entered Southeast Asia from Southern China, the few remaining Khmers in the area were either killed, removed, or assimilated into the Lao civilization, which would soon overtake the area.
In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang, Vientiane became an important administrative city, even though it was not made the capital. King Setthathirath officially established it as the capital of Lan Xang in 1563, to avoid Burmese invasion.[4] When Lan Xang fell apart in 1707, it became an independent Kingdom of Vientiane. In 1779, it was conquered by the Siamese general Phraya Chakri and made a vassal of Siam.
When King Anouvong raised an unsuccessful rebellion, it was obliterated by Siamese armies in 1827. The city was burned to the ground and was looted of nearly all Laotian artifacts including Buddha statues and people. Vientiane was in great disrepair when the French arrived, arrived to only find a depopulated region with even the great city of Vientiane disappearing into the forest.It eventually passed to French rule in 1893. It became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899. The French rebuilt the city and rebuilt or repaired Buddhist temples such as Pha That Luang, Haw Phra Kaew, and left many colonial buildings behind.
During World War II, Vientiane fell with little resistance and was occupied by Japanese forces, under the command of Sako Masanori,[5] on 9 March 1945. French paratroopers arrived and liberated the city on April 24, 1945.[6]
As the Laotian Civil War broke out between the Royal Lao Government and the Pathet Lao, Vientiane became unstabled. In August 1960, Kong Le seized the capital and insisted that Souvanna Phouma, become Prime Minister. In mid-December, General Phoumi then seized the capital and overthrew the Phouma Government and installed Boun Oum as Prime Minister. In mid-1975, Pathet Lao troops had move towards the city and American personnel began evacuating the capital. On August 23, 1975, a contingent of 50 Pathet Lao women, symbolically liberated the city.[6]
Vientiane was the host of the incident free 2009 Southeast Asian Games, with 18 disciplines being dropped from the previous games held in Thailand due to Laos' landlocked state and the lack of adequate facilities in Vientiane.
Advancer#5 Lao National Assembly, Vientiane, Lao PDR 11/1/2012
Lao National Assembly, Vientiane, Lao PDR
1 November 2012
The unicameral parliament of Lao PDR established in its current form by the Lao Constitution of 1991. It acts as the representative of the rights, powers and interests of the multi-ethnic Laotian people. The National Assembly is also the legislative branch that has the right to make decisions on fundamental issues of the country and to oversee the activities of the executive organs, the people's courts and the Office of the Public Prosecutor.
Laos is a single-party state. The current body was elected in a national poll on 2006 and has 115 members, elected for a five-year term.
Located just across the National Assembly is a Shrine for the Unknown Soldier.
History of Vientiane - Laos Part 4
Vientiane (pronounced /vjɛnˈtjɑːn/, Lao ວຽງຈັນ Wiang-jun; Thai เวียงจันทน์ Wiang-chan, IPA: [wíəŋ tɕàn]; literally City of Sandalwood) is the capital and largest city of Laos, situated in the Mekong river.
Sri Sattanak, or Sisattanak (Lao: ສີສັດຕະນາກ; Pali: श्रि शत्तनक् शिसत्तनक्), is a former name of Vientiane. It is often confused with Sri Sattanakanahut, the Pali name of Lan Xang, the Kingdom of the Million Elephants. Sisattanak now is the name of one of the five districts of the city Vientiane.
The name of the city is derived from Pali, the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism. Its original meaning is royal sandalwood grove or city of sandalwood, this tree being highly valued in classical India for its fragrance. In modern Lao, the meaning of Vientiane is ambiguous, and is often mistakenly believed to mean city of the moon, because the words for 'moon (chandra (चन्द) in Sanskrit)' and 'sandalwood (chandana (चन्दन) in Sanskrit)' are written and pronounced identically as 'jan'. However, the name in Thai, เวียงจันทน์, retains the etymologically correct spelling, and clearly indicates city of sandalwood as the meaning. The romanized spelling Vientiane is of French origin, and reflects the difficulty the French had in pronouncing the hard j sound in the Lao word; a common English-based spelling is Viangchan, or occasionally Wiangchan.
The great Laotian epic, the Phra Lak Phra Lam, claims that Prince Thattaradtha founded the city when he left the legendary Lao kingdom of Muong Inthapatha Maha Nakhone because he was denied the throne in favor of his younger brother. Thattaradtha founded a city called Maha Thani Si Phan Phao on the western banks of the Mekong River; this city was told to have later become today's Udon Thani, Thailand. One day, a seven-headed Naga told Thattaradtha to start a new city on the eastern bank of the river opposite Maha Thani Si Phan Phao. The prince called this city Chanthabuly Si Sattanakhanahud; which was told to be the predecessor of modern Vientiane.
Contrary to the Phra Lak Phra Ram, most historians believe Vientiane was an early Khmer settlement centered around a Hindu temple, which the Pha That Luang would later replace. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the time when the Lao and Thai people are believed to have entered Southeast Asia from Southern China, the few remaining Khmers in the area were either killed, removed, or assimilated into the Lao civilization, which would soon overtake the area.
In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang, Vientiane became an important administrative city, even though it was not made the capital. King Setthathirath officially established it as the capital of Lan Xang in 1563, to avoid Burmese invasion.[4] When Lan Xang fell apart in 1707, it became an independent Kingdom of Vientiane. In 1779, it was conquered by the Siamese general Phraya Chakri and made a vassal of Siam.
When King Anouvong raised an unsuccessful rebellion, it was obliterated by Siamese armies in 1827. The city was burned to the ground and was looted of nearly all Laotian artifacts including Buddha statues and people. Vientiane was in great disrepair when the French arrived, arrived to only find a depopulated region with even the great city of Vientiane disappearing into the forest.It eventually passed to French rule in 1893. It became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899. The French rebuilt the city and rebuilt or repaired Buddhist temples such as Pha That Luang, Haw Phra Kaew, and left many colonial buildings behind.
During World War II, Vientiane fell with little resistance and was occupied by Japanese forces, under the command of Sako Masanori,[5] on 9 March 1945. French paratroopers arrived and liberated the city on April 24, 1945.[6]
As the Laotian Civil War broke out between the Royal Lao Government and the Pathet Lao, Vientiane became unstabled. In August 1960, Kong Le seized the capital and insisted that Souvanna Phouma, become Prime Minister. In mid-December, General Phoumi then seized the capital and overthrew the Phouma Government and installed Boun Oum as Prime Minister. In mid-1975, Pathet Lao troops had move towards the city and American personnel began evacuating the capital. On August 23, 1975, a contingent of 50 Pathet Lao women, symbolically liberated the city.[6]
Vientiane was the host of the incident free 2009 Southeast Asian Games, with 18 disciplines being dropped from the previous games held in Thailand due to Laos' landlocked state and the lack of adequate facilities in Vientiane.
Vierntiane Discovered: ເຈົ້າອານຸວົງ / The Statue of Chao Anouvong
ເຈົ້າອານຸວົງ
The Statue of Chao Anouvong , whose regal name was Xaiya Setthathirath V is a large bronze statue of the much revered Lao King. The statue was created in 2010, together with the Chao Anouvong Park, to coincide with the 450th Anniversary celebrations of the founding of Vientiane.
The Park has fast become a popular place for the capital's inhabitants and the much revered statue a place of pilgrimage.
Chao Anouvong (1767-1829) was the last monarch of the Lao Kingdom of Vientiane. Between 1826-1828 he led the Lao Rebellion against Siam, attempting to end the suzerainty of Siam over the Kingdom of Vientiane and recreate the former kingdom of Lan Xang.
In this he was unsuccessful and as a result he was captured by the Siamese, taken to Bangkok , confined to a large iron cage and left to die.
In retaliation of the revolt, the city of Vientiane was totally destroyed and her population dispersed. The destruction was so thorough that the first French explorers more than 30 years later found only ruins in a jungle to show where the city had once been.
Music: Somseng Aloun
Khun Bu Lom Rd - Rue Samsenthai - Souphanouvong Ave
A motorbike ride in Vientiane, Laos, from Khun Bu Lom Rd to Rue Samsenthai to Souphanouvong Ave (13 Rte Luang Prabang).
Advancer#12 Haw Phra Kaew, Vientiane, Lao PDR 11/2/2012
Haw Phra Kaew, Vientiane, Lao PDR
2 November 2012
One of the oldest temples in Vientiane built in 1565 by King Setthathirath as a place to hold the Emerald Buddha which is now on display at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. The temple was destroyed several times during the wars with neighboring Siam, but French colonizers rebuilt the current structure in 1920 using a Bangkok-rococo style. The inside of the temple has since been converted into a Buddhist and Laotian history museum with a few signs in French but none in English.
History of Vientiane - Laos Part 3
Vientiane (pronounced /vjɛnˈtjɑːn/, Lao ວຽງຈັນ Wiang-jun; Thai เวียงจันทน์ Wiang-chan, IPA: [wíəŋ tɕàn]; literally City of Sandalwood) is the capital and largest city of Laos, situated in the Mekong river.
Sri Sattanak, or Sisattanak (Lao: ສີສັດຕະນາກ; Pali: श्रि शत्तनक् शिसत्तनक्), is a former name of Vientiane. It is often confused with Sri Sattanakanahut, the Pali name of Lan Xang, the Kingdom of the Million Elephants. Sisattanak now is the name of one of the five districts of the city Vientiane.
The name of the city is derived from Pali, the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism. Its original meaning is royal sandalwood grove or city of sandalwood, this tree being highly valued in classical India for its fragrance. In modern Lao, the meaning of Vientiane is ambiguous, and is often mistakenly believed to mean city of the moon, because the words for 'moon (chandra (चन्द) in Sanskrit)' and 'sandalwood (chandana (चन्दन) in Sanskrit)' are written and pronounced identically as 'jan'. However, the name in Thai, เวียงจันทน์, retains the etymologically correct spelling, and clearly indicates city of sandalwood as the meaning. The romanized spelling Vientiane is of French origin, and reflects the difficulty the French had in pronouncing the hard j sound in the Lao word; a common English-based spelling is Viangchan, or occasionally Wiangchan.
The great Laotian epic, the Phra Lak Phra Lam, claims that Prince Thattaradtha founded the city when he left the legendary Lao kingdom of Muong Inthapatha Maha Nakhone because he was denied the throne in favor of his younger brother. Thattaradtha founded a city called Maha Thani Si Phan Phao on the western banks of the Mekong River; this city was told to have later become today's Udon Thani, Thailand. One day, a seven-headed Naga told Thattaradtha to start a new city on the eastern bank of the river opposite Maha Thani Si Phan Phao. The prince called this city Chanthabuly Si Sattanakhanahud; which was told to be the predecessor of modern Vientiane.
Contrary to the Phra Lak Phra Ram, most historians believe Vientiane was an early Khmer settlement centered around a Hindu temple, which the Pha That Luang would later replace. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the time when the Lao and Thai people are believed to have entered Southeast Asia from Southern China, the few remaining Khmers in the area were either killed, removed, or assimilated into the Lao civilization, which would soon overtake the area.
In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang, Vientiane became an important administrative city, even though it was not made the capital. King Setthathirath officially established it as the capital of Lan Xang in 1563, to avoid Burmese invasion.[4] When Lan Xang fell apart in 1707, it became an independent Kingdom of Vientiane. In 1779, it was conquered by the Siamese general Phraya Chakri and made a vassal of Siam.
When King Anouvong raised an unsuccessful rebellion, it was obliterated by Siamese armies in 1827. The city was burned to the ground and was looted of nearly all Laotian artifacts including Buddha statues and people. Vientiane was in great disrepair when the French arrived, arrived to only find a depopulated region with even the great city of Vientiane disappearing into the forest.It eventually passed to French rule in 1893. It became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899. The French rebuilt the city and rebuilt or repaired Buddhist temples such as Pha That Luang, Haw Phra Kaew, and left many colonial buildings behind.
During World War II, Vientiane fell with little resistance and was occupied by Japanese forces, under the command of Sako Masanori,[5] on 9 March 1945. French paratroopers arrived and liberated the city on April 24, 1945.[6]
As the Laotian Civil War broke out between the Royal Lao Government and the Pathet Lao, Vientiane became unstabled. In August 1960, Kong Le seized the capital and insisted that Souvanna Phouma, become Prime Minister. In mid-December, General Phoumi then seized the capital and overthrew the Phouma Government and installed Boun Oum as Prime Minister. In mid-1975, Pathet Lao troops had move towards the city and American personnel began evacuating the capital. On August 23, 1975, a contingent of 50 Pathet Lao women, symbolically liberated the city.[6]
Vientiane was the host of the incident free 2009 Southeast Asian Games, with 18 disciplines being dropped from the previous games held in Thailand due to Laos' landlocked state and the lack of adequate facilities in Vientiane.
Setthathirath Road, Vientiane, Laos. A Busy Road in The tourist Area.
Explore and Discover with I Do Indigo. Setthathirath Road is a busy Road in the heart of the tourist Area not far from the Mekong River.
A fantastic location which will lead you to many roads with hotels, bars and restaurants. A great location to be based on a stay in Vientiane.
Explore and Discover with idoindigo.com
History of Vientiane - Laos Part 2
Vientiane (pronounced /vjɛnˈtjɑːn/, Lao ວຽງຈັນ Wiang-jun; Thai เวียงจันทน์ Wiang-chan, IPA: [wíəŋ tɕàn]; literally City of Sandalwood) is the capital and largest city of Laos, situated in the Mekong river.
Sri Sattanak, or Sisattanak (Lao: ສີສັດຕະນາກ; Pali: श्रि शत्तनक् शिसत्तनक्), is a former name of Vientiane. It is often confused with Sri Sattanakanahut, the Pali name of Lan Xang, the Kingdom of the Million Elephants. Sisattanak now is the name of one of the five districts of the city Vientiane.
The name of the city is derived from Pali, the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism. Its original meaning is royal sandalwood grove or city of sandalwood, this tree being highly valued in classical India for its fragrance. In modern Lao, the meaning of Vientiane is ambiguous, and is often mistakenly believed to mean city of the moon, because the words for 'moon (chandra (चन्द) in Sanskrit)' and 'sandalwood (chandana (चन्दन) in Sanskrit)' are written and pronounced identically as 'jan'. However, the name in Thai, เวียงจันทน์, retains the etymologically correct spelling, and clearly indicates city of sandalwood as the meaning. The romanized spelling Vientiane is of French origin, and reflects the difficulty the French had in pronouncing the hard j sound in the Lao word; a common English-based spelling is Viangchan, or occasionally Wiangchan.
The great Laotian epic, the Phra Lak Phra Lam, claims that Prince Thattaradtha founded the city when he left the legendary Lao kingdom of Muong Inthapatha Maha Nakhone because he was denied the throne in favor of his younger brother. Thattaradtha founded a city called Maha Thani Si Phan Phao on the western banks of the Mekong River; this city was told to have later become today's Udon Thani, Thailand. One day, a seven-headed Naga told Thattaradtha to start a new city on the eastern bank of the river opposite Maha Thani Si Phan Phao. The prince called this city Chanthabuly Si Sattanakhanahud; which was told to be the predecessor of modern Vientiane.
Contrary to the Phra Lak Phra Ram, most historians believe Vientiane was an early Khmer settlement centered around a Hindu temple, which the Pha That Luang would later replace. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the time when the Lao and Thai people are believed to have entered Southeast Asia from Southern China, the few remaining Khmers in the area were either killed, removed, or assimilated into the Lao civilization, which would soon overtake the area.
In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang, Vientiane became an important administrative city, even though it was not made the capital. King Setthathirath officially established it as the capital of Lan Xang in 1563, to avoid Burmese invasion.[4] When Lan Xang fell apart in 1707, it became an independent Kingdom of Vientiane. In 1779, it was conquered by the Siamese general Phraya Chakri and made a vassal of Siam.
When King Anouvong raised an unsuccessful rebellion, it was obliterated by Siamese armies in 1827. The city was burned to the ground and was looted of nearly all Laotian artifacts including Buddha statues and people. Vientiane was in great disrepair when the French arrived, arrived to only find a depopulated region with even the great city of Vientiane disappearing into the forest.It eventually passed to French rule in 1893. It became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899. The French rebuilt the city and rebuilt or repaired Buddhist temples such as Pha That Luang, Haw Phra Kaew, and left many colonial buildings behind.
During World War II, Vientiane fell with little resistance and was occupied by Japanese forces, under the command of Sako Masanori,[5] on 9 March 1945. French paratroopers arrived and liberated the city on April 24, 1945.[6]
As the Laotian Civil War broke out between the Royal Lao Government and the Pathet Lao, Vientiane became unstabled. In August 1960, Kong Le seized the capital and insisted that Souvanna Phouma, become Prime Minister. In mid-December, General Phoumi then seized the capital and overthrew the Phouma Government and installed Boun Oum as Prime Minister. In mid-1975, Pathet Lao troops had move towards the city and American personnel began evacuating the capital. On August 23, 1975, a contingent of 50 Pathet Lao women, symbolically liberated the city.[6]
Vientiane was the host of the incident free 2009 Southeast Asian Games, with 18 disciplines being dropped from the previous games held in Thailand due to Laos' landlocked state and the lack of adequate facilities in Vientiane.
Lao NEWS on LNTV: President Choummaly among thousands of people pays homage to Thatluang.7/11/2014
VO Party Secretary General and President of Laos, Choummaly Sayasone, among thousands of Lao people pays homage to the golden grand stupa
INTRO: Party Secretary General and President of Laos, Choummaly Sayasone, among thousands of Lao people pays homage to the golden grand stupa. October 31 to November 6 was time of the year when everyone comes to pay homage to the golden grand stupa, and the magnificent festival that takes place in Vientiane is the country's most widely celebrated.
STORY: Party Secretary General and President of Laos, Choummaly Sayasone, was among thousands of Lao people living in the provinces and overseas come to That Luang stupa to make merit and pay homage to the golden grand stupa where the Lao people in Vientiane enjoy visiting the traditional event and maintaining the good culture in the city. Already the biggest festival annually, this year's festival marks the 448th anniversary of That Luang stupa in Vientiane. That Luang Festival is the main cultural event for the Lao people annually and the festival is held every year in keeping with age-old traditions.
President Choummaly also visited the exhibition where feature many products manufactured here in Laos as well as those from overseas. The about 500 booths include about 200 for the display of locally made goods, including ‘One District, One Product (ODOP)' items. The remaining nearly 300 stalls are for rent for the sale of other products, including imported goods.
Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument of Laos. Vientiane's most important Theravada Buddhist festival, Boun That Luang , is held here during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (November).
Interview: Somsanouk Mixay, Vice President of the Lao Journalists' Association
…. English….
Pha That Luang, meaning ‘Great Stupa', is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the centre of Vientiane. It is generally regarded as the most important national monument in Laos.
The That Luang stupa was originally built during the ancient Khmer civilisation, when Vientiane was inhabited by people known as the ‘Cham'. Researchers believe the structure was originally a four-sided stone obelisk.
The site was built as a place for people to worship and pray to idols. The structure was renovated on the orders of King Saysetthathirath in the 16th century when the original site was covered with a bigger stupa. From then on the monument took the name That Luang, or Grand Stupa.
The Story of Emerald Buddha
The Emerald Buddha
Historical sources indicate that the statue surfaced in northern Thailand in the Lannathai kingdom in 1434. One account of its discovery tells that lightning struck a pagoda in a temple in Chiang Rai, after which, something became visible beneath the stucco. The Buddha was dug out, and the people believed the figurine to be made of emerald, hence its name. King Sam Fang Kaen of Lannathai wanted it in his capital, Chiang Mai, but the elephant carrying it insisted, on three separate occasions, on going instead to Lampang. This was taken as a divine sign and the Emerald Buddha stayed in Lampang until 1468, when it was finally moved to Chiang Mai, where it was kept at Wat Chedi Luang.
The Emerald Buddha remained in Chiang Mai until 1552, when it was taken to Luang Prabang, then the capital of the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang. Some years earlier, the crown prince of Lan Xang, Setthathirath, had been invited to occupy the vacant throne of Lannathai. However, Prince Setthathirath also became king of Lan Xang when his father, Photisarath, died. He returned home, taking the revered Buddha figure with him. In 1564, King Setthathirath moved it to his new capital at Vientiane.[1]
Ubosoth outside decorations closeup
In 1779, the Thai General Chao Phraya Chakri put down an insurrection, captured Vientiane and returned the Emerald Buddha to Siam, taking it with him to Thonburi. After he became King Rama I of Thailand, he moved the Emerald Buddha with great ceremony to its current home in Wat Phra Kaew on 22 March 1784. It is now kept in the main building of the temple, the Ubosoth.
Gold clothing
The Emerald Buddha itself is simply the Jadeite statue,[2] but it is adorned with garments made of gold. There are three different sets of gold clothing, which are changed by the King of Thailand or a liaison in a ceremony at the changing of the seasons -- in the 1st Waning of Lunar Months 4, 8 and 12 (around March, July and November). The three sets of gold garments correspond to Thailand's summer season, rainy season, and cool season. The two sets of gold clothing not in use at any given time are kept on display in the nearby Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Thai Coins on the grounds of the Grand Palace, where the public may view them.