Siam deposes Anouvong and destroys Vientiane

Background. Anouvong, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Vientiane, led a rebellion against Siam that began in December 1826 with an army of about 10,000 men advancing toward Kalasin. His forces were ultimately overwhelmed by superior Siamese strength and modern arms. King Rama III subsequently ordered Chao Phraya Bodindecha to completely destroy Vientiane and capture Anouvong at all costs; the supplied passages do not date this order relative to the rebellion's start.

Destruction of Vientiane. Following the military defeat of Anouvong's forces, Siamese troops obliterated the city of Vientiane. This act was ordered by Rama III as a punitive measure against the rebellion. The destruction ended the kingdom's autonomy and contributed to the permanent division of the Lao people, separating those in Laos from Lao-speaking provinces in northeastern Thailand.

Aftermath and Legacy. The annexation of Vientiane resulted in forced population transfers throughout the region. Modern Lao nationalist movements view Anouvong as a hero, despite the rebellion's catastrophic consequences. In 2010, the Laos government established Chao Anouvong Park to commemorate the ruler, reflecting his enduring symbolic significance in Lao national identity.