Sauryavong Savang
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Prince Sauryavong Savang (born 22 January 1937) is the youngest son of King Savang Vatthana of Laos, who was murdered by Communists. In 1965, he married Princess Dalavan and they have four children, Sthira Sauryavong, Dayavant Sauryavong, Balavant Sauryavong, and Krishnajina Sauryavong.
Control of the Kingdom of Laos was seized by communist forces in August 1975. In November 1975, the Prince escaped from Laos by swimming across the Mekong river to Thailand. He is currently head of the Laotian royal family and acts as Regent to his nephew Crown Prince Soulivong Savang.
Prior to leaving Laos he headed the Office of Crown Properties. He currently lives in Paris, France, where he worked for French car manufacturer Renault.
In September 1997, he and his nephews Crown Prince Soulivong Savang and Prince Thayavong Savang initiated a Royal Lao Conference in Seattle, United States, over three hundred Lao exiles and representatives of the Hmongs community.
A resolution was established at this historic meeting between the Lao and Hmongs leaders and the Royal Family and it held the common goal to change "the totalitarian regime to a genuine democratic system", and "the reunification of the Lao people".
In July 2000, he came under harsh criticism from some quarters after allegedly ordering the Vang Tao raid, he denied prior knowledge of the military attack against the Communist government of Laos.
He works along with other surviving members of the Laos Royal Family such as Prince Mangkra Souvannaphouma, Crown Prince Soulivong Savang and Prince Thayavong Savang to establish a Constitutional Monarchy in Laos.
[edit] Quotes
- "The fact that the anti-communist fighters called for the return of the Constitutional Monarchy makes an excellent path for the restoration of Liberty, Peace and Democracy in the country."
- "Once a dialogue has been established, we can discuss how democracy and freedom should be restored in Laos"
