His Majesty Savang Vatthana or Samdach Brhat Chao Mavattaha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Phra Rajanachakra Lao Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Savangsa Vadhana was the last King of Laos. He became king in 1959 upon the death of his father King Sisavang Vong. He had previously served as prime minister and regent. He faced many challenges with the end of the colonial relationship with France, the war in neighboring Vietnam and the rising threat of spreading communist revolution. He tried to keep Laos neutral in the ideological conflict sweeping Indochina but the fighting spilled over as the Pathet Lao tried to gain control of the country. In 1975 the communist revolution finally took over the country and King Savang Vatthana was forced to resign. The Pathet-Lao kept him as a puppet advisor for a time but finally arrested him and his family and put them in a concentration camp. He, the Queen and Crown Prince were later all reported dead though the communist government has never revealed the circumstances.

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