LAOS

STYLES & TITLES:

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:
Titles of nobility, conferred on Mandarins, in order of precedence:
 
ORDERS & DECORATIONS:

The Most Esteemed Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol (Somdetch Pha Itsariyaphon Lan Xang Hom Khao): 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 The Royal Medal of the Reign (Lian Ratsa Phabohommahup): founded by King Sisavang Vong on 26th February 1923 under the title of the “Royal Medal of Luang Prabang” as a reward for personal services to the sovereign, service in the Royal Household, and in commemoration of his reign. Modified by him on 7th February 1927 and renamed as the “The Royal Medal of the Reign” 30th September 1948, further modified by King Savang Vathana 1959. Frequently conferred for general and exceptional meritorious services. Awarded in three classes (1. Gold Medal-Lian Kham, 2. Silver Medal-Lian Ngeun and 3. Bronze Medal-Lian Tongsamrit). The Gold Medal ranked immediately after the first class of the Order of the Million Elephants and White Parasol.
 

The Medal of the Reign - King Sisavang Vong, second class (L) and King Savang Vathana, third class (R)

The Noble Order of the Crown (Itsariyaphon Mongkut Kattiyaphon): founded by King Savang Vathana in 1962 as a general order of merit open to all citizens of Laos. Awarded in five classes (1. Grand Cordon-Patamaphon, 2. Grand Officer-Tudiyaphon, 3. Commander-Dadiyaphon, 4. Officer-Jadutaphon, and 5. Knight-Banjamaphon).
 

The Order of the Crown of Laos - Grand Cordon - breast star (L) and Commander, neck badge (R).

The Order of Merit in Education (Itsarriyaphon Khunnawuthi Haeng Kankasikan): founded by King Sisavang Vong on 20th November 1950 as an order of merit for distinguished services in the fields of public education, the arts and literature. Awarded in three classes (1. Commander-Dadiyaphon, 2. Officer-Jadutaphon, and 3. Knight-Banjamaphon).

The Order of Education - Commander, neck badge.

The Order of Merit in Agriculture (Itsarriyaphon Sowathara Haeng Kankasikan): founded by King Sisavang Vong on 20th November 1950 to reward meritorious services in the fields of agriculture and economic development. Awarded in three classes (1. Commander-Dadiyaphon, 2. Officer-Jadutaphon, and 3. Knight-Banjamaphon).  

Tthe Order of Agricultural Merit - Officer (L) and the Order of Civic Merit - Knight (R).

The Order of Civil Merit (Itsarriyaphon Phonlamuang di Haeng Sat): founded by King Sisavang Vong on 20th November 1950 as a general order of merit for services of a civil nature, particularly in the fields of local and provincial government and administration. Awarded in three classes (1. Commander-Dadiyaphon, 2. Officer-Jadutaphon, and 3. Knight-Banjamaphon).
 

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The Order of Feminine Merit - Second Class, shoulder badge.

The Order of Feminine Merit (Itsarriyaphon Sati Suphaphon): founded by King Savang Vathana in 1962 as an award of merit for ladies only. Conferred on female members of the Royal Family, the Royal Household, and female citizens of Laos. Awarded in three classes (1. Gold Medal-Lian Kham, 2. Silver Medal-Lian Ngeun and 3. Bronze Medal-Lian Tongsamrit).

The Medal of Military Valour.

The Medal of Military Valour (Lian Kahan Santri): instituted by King Sisavang Vong on 8th January 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 (L) and the Gendarmerie Medal (R)

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 Gendarmerie Medal: instituted by King Savang Vatthana ca 1970 as a reward for brave conduct and meritorious service in the national police forces of the kingdom as the gendarmerie equivalent of the Military Medal.
 

The Franco-Laotian Resistance Medal (C), the Medal for Combattants (C) and the Medal of Government Gratitude (R)

The Franco-Laotian Resistance Medal: instituted by King Sisavang Vong on 25th April 1949 to recognize the services of those who participated in the campaigns against the Japanese during the period 10th March to 19th August 1945. Awarded in a single class, a circular bronze medal.
The Medal for Combattants (Lian Tra Makhom Kao): instituted by King Sisavang Vong on 25th April 1957 to recognize the services of 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 on 27th January 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. Awarded in a single class.
 
LAN XANG LUANG PRABANG LAOS
VIENTIANE CHAMPASAK SUVARNAKUT MAIN
 
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Copyright© Christopher Buyers, August 2001 - July 2010