LAOS
The Sovereign: Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Phra Rajanachakra Lao Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri, i.e. King of Laos with the style of His Majesty.
The consort of the Sovereign: Mahadevi or Samdach Brhat Rajini Akkhara Maha Sri, i.e. Queen with the title of Her Majesty:
[The principal Royal wife of the Sovereign: Samdach Brhat Rajini Ekka Akkhara Maha Sri, i.e. First Queen, with the style of Her Majesty].
The Heir Apparent: Crown Prince (Anga Mahkuta Raja Kumara), with the style of His Royal Highness.
The consort of the Heir Apparent: Crown Princess, with the style of Her Royal Highness.
The sons of the sovereign: Prince (Anga Sadet Chao Fa Jaya), with the style of His Royal Highness.
The daughters of the sovereign: Princess (Anga Sadet Chao Fa Nying), with the style of Her Royal Highness.
The sons of the Heir Apparent: Prince (Anga Sadet Chao Rajadhanadha), with the style of His Royal Highness.
The daughters of the Heir Apparent: Princess (Anga Sadet Chao Nying Rajadhanadha), with the style of His Royal Highness
The other grandsons of the sovereign: Prince (Sadet Chao), with the style of His Royal Highness.
The other granddaughters of the sovereign: Princess (Sadet Chao Nying), with the style of Her Royal Highness.
The other descendants of former sovereigns, in the male line: Prince (Sadu Chao Jaya), with the style of His Highness.
The other female descendants of former sovereigns, in the male line: Princess (Sadu Chao Nying), with the style of Her Highness.
Other titles conferred on senior Princes of the Royal House, included the following, in order of precedence:
- 1. Samdach Chao Maha Upayuvaraja.
- 2. Samdach Chao Maha Uparaja.
- 3. Chao Raja Varman.
- 4. Chao Raja Putra.
- 5. Chao Raja Mabanda Varman.
- 6. Chao Raja Mabanda.
- 7. Chao Raja Baktinaya.
- 1. Chao Phagna Luang.
- 2. Chao Phagna.
- 3. Phagna.
- 4. Phya.
- 5. Sen.
- 6. Mun.
The Most Esteemed Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol: founded by King Sisavang Vong on 1st May 1909 in a single class to reward exceptional military and civil services to the Kingdom of Luang Prabang. Recognised as an official French colonial order, modified and expanded on 20th November 1927 to include four classes (1. Grand Officer, 2. Commander, 3. Officer and 4. Knight). Nationalised as an entirely Lao order, further modified and expanded on 20th November 1950 and thereafter awarded in a superior class (Grand Cordon with Collar - conferred on Heads of State) and five ordinary classes (1. Grand Cordon, 2. Grand Officer, 3. Commander, 4. Officer, and 5. Knight).
The Order of the Million Elephants & the White Parasol - Grand Cordon, breast star (L) and sash badge (R)
The Medal of the Reign - King Sisavang Vong, second class (L) and King Savang Vathana, third class (R)
The Order of the Crown of Laos - Commander, neck badge (L) and the Order of Education - Commander, neck badge (R).
The Order of Agricultural Merit (Sowathara Haeng Kankasikan): founded by King Sisavang Vong on 20th November 1950 as an order of merit for services in the fields of agriculture and economic development. Awarded in three classes (1. Commander, 2. Officer, and 3. Knight).
Tthe Order of Agricultural Merit - Officer (L) and the Order of Civic Merit - Knight (R).
The Order of Feminine Merit - First Class, shoulder badge.
The Medal of Military Valour: instituted by King Sisavang Vong in 1957 as the highest reward for supreme acts of gallantry, by officers and other ranks of the armed forces and national police, during active operations against the enemy. Also awarded to senior general officers in commanders of armies for exceptional services. A bronze star is awarded for each mention-in-dispatches at the brigade or regimental level, a silver star for the divisional level and a gilt star for the corps level. Bronze palms are awarded for a mention at the army level.
The Military Medal: instituted by King Savang Vatthana ca 1970 as a reward for brave conduct and meritorious service in the regular military forces of the kingdom. A bronze star is awarded for each mention-in-dispatches at the brigade or regimental level, a silver star for the divisional level and a gilt star for the corps level. Bronze palms are awarded for a mention at the army level.
The Military Medal (L) and the Gendarmerie Medal (R)
The Franco-Laotian Resistance Medal (C), the Medal for Combattants (C) and the Medal of Government Gratitude (R)
The Medal for Combattants: instituted by King Sisavang Vong in 1957 as a reward for those who served in the military campaigns of national unity during the late 1940's and 1950's. Awarded in a single class.
The Medal of Government Gratitute: instituted by King Savang Vathana in 1962 to recognise services during the 1960-1961 campaign to prevent the communists from seizing control of Vientienne. Awarded in a single class to civilians and military personnel alike.
Copyright© Christopher Buyers, August 2001 - August 2008