King Photisarath ascended to the throne of the Lan Xang Kingdom

In 1520, King Photisarath ascended to the throne of the Lan Xang Kingdom, a significant event that marked a pivotal shift in the region's political landscape. To safeguard his kingdom from the looming threat of a Burmese invasion, he made the strategic decision to relocate the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. This move was crucial in fortifying the kingdom's defenses. Following Photisarath's reign, Setthathirath became king in 1548 after the tragic death of his father. He is renowned for commissioning the construction of the iconic That Luang, a symbol of Lao identity and Buddhist faith. However, Setthathirath's reign was marred by instability; he mysteriously disappeared in the mountains during a military expedition to Cambodia. His disappearance plunged Lan Xang into over 70 years of turmoil characterized by invasions from the Burmese and internal civil wars. This period of instability significantly impacted the kingdom's development and cohesion, leading to a fragmented political landscape until the ascension of Sourigna Vongsa in 1637, who would later work towards restoring stability and unity in Lan Xang. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #LanXang #Photisarath #Setthathirath #ThatLuang #BurmeseInvasion