Military Regions of Laos


Beginning in 1955, the Kingdom of Laos was divided into five Military Regions, roughly corresponding to the areas of the country's 13 provinces. The Military Regions were necessitated by the poor lines of communication within the country. The Military Districts were the basis of a culture of warlordism in the Royal Lao Armed Forces high command, with most MR Commanders running their zones like private fiefdoms.

Overall view

Laos covers approximately 235,000 square kilometers. In the early 1950s, there were few means of transportation available in the Kingdom of Laos. Travelling by riverboat through the Mekong River was still the most reliable means of transporting people and goods in-country. Laos, newly independent from the French, had bequeathed fewer than 1,500 kilometers of all-weather paved roads. The purpose of the French colonial roadbuilding program had not been the interconnection of Laos' provinces, but rather linkage with Vietnam. Air transportation in Laos depended on half a dozen airports and auxiliary airfields that could not accommodate anything larger than twin-engine aircraft. With such barely developed transport infrastructure, the defense of the country was entrusted to local troops raised in and stationed at military districts reflecting French traditions, designated "Military Regions", which encompassed two or more provinces. As a result of this decentralized organization, the FAR General Staff in Vientiane served primarily an administrative function, exerting little control over the regional commands and local commanders were free to adjust their tactics to the local situation. Consequently, Laotian commanders of the Military Regions became warlords within their regions. A top command position within a Military Region was dependent upon the influence of an urban elite aristocratic family or families who economically and politically dominated the MR. If a general was not a scion of one of these families, then he had their support in some other manner.

Military Region 1

The provinces of Military Region 1 are listed and mapped below. Headquartered at Luang Prabang the MR 1 was the largest, covering the whole of North-western Laos. The region was dominated by the Lao Royal family and the former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Lao Army, Major-General Ouane Rattikone. Its original appointee to command it in 1955 was Major Ouane Rattikone. In late 1962, the MR 1 was commanded by Colonel Sourith Don Sasorith, later replaced by Brigadier-General Tiao Sayvong, a half-brother of the King.
LocationNameCapitalArea Remarks
Bokèo Province
Houayxay District
4,970
Luang Namtha Province
Namtha District
9,325
Louangphabang Province
Louangphrabang District
16,875Luang Prabang city was the MR 1 headquarters
Oudômxai Province
Xay District
15,370
Phôngsali Province
Phongsaly District
16,270
Xaignabouli Province
Xayabury District
11,795Became Military Region 6 from early 1962 through July 1968

Military Region 2

The provinces of Military Region 2 are mapped and listed below. Initially headquartered at Vientiane and later at Long Tieng northwest of the Plain of Jars in the Xiangkhoang Province, the MR 2 covered the North-eastern Laos. Its original military commander in 1955 was Major Sang Kittirath, replaced in mid-1962 by Colonel Khamkong Bouddavong. It was later placed under the command of Major-General Vang Pao, the Hmong guerrilla war hero of Laos.
LocationNameCapitalArea Remarks
Bolikhamxai Province
Paksane District
16,470
Houaphan Province
Xamneua District
16,500
Vientiane ProvinceVientiane Prefecture 19,847City of Vientiane was both the national capital and early Military Region 5 headquarters
Xiangkhouang Province
Pek District
15,880

Military Region 3

The provinces of Military Region 3 are mapped and listed below. Headquartered at Savannakhet, capital of Savannakhet Province, the MR 3 covered the Upper Laotian Panhandle in central Laos. Its original commanding officer in 1955 was Major Sing Rattanasamy. In late 1962, this region was commanded by Colonel Lam Ngeum, replaced on 1 July 1971 by Colonel Nouphet Daoheuang. The real power in this Region was in the hands of the Insixiengmay family led by Royal Lao Government Minister Leuam Insixiengmay, Vice-Premier and Minister of Education.
LocationNameCapitalArea Remarks
Khammouan Province
Thakhek District
16,315
Savannakhét ProvinceKhanthabouly District
21,774

Military Region 4

The provinces of Military Region 4 are mapped and listed below. Headquartered at Pakse, capital of Champassak Province, the MR 4 covered the Lower Laotian Panhandle comprising the six provinces of southern Laos. It was dominated by the Nachampassak family led by Prince Boun Oum Na Champassak. Its original commander in 1955 was Major Amkha Soukhavong, succeeded in late 1962 by Colonel Phasouk Somly Rasaphak, himself a member of the Champassak family, who held the command of this area for almost a decade and a half until 1 July 1971, when he was replaced by Brigadier-General Soutchay Vongsavanh.
LocationNameCapitalArea Remarks
Attapu Province
Samakkhixay District
10,320
Champasak Province
Pakse District
15,415Became Military Region 7 from early 1962 until July 1968
Salavan Province
Salavan District
10,691
Xékong Province
Lamarm District
7,665

Military Region 5

Military Region 5 was formed in Summer 1959. Headquartered at Camp Chinaimo, a major Army facility located on the eastern outskirts of Vientiane, the MR 5 covered the Capital zone – which included the nation's central government seat and the namesake Vientiane province – and the Borikhane province. Its first commanding officer was Major-General Phoumi Nosavan, succeeded in early 1960 by Major-General Kouprasith Abhay until he was replaced on 1 July 1971 by Brigadier-General Thongligh Chokbengboun.

Military Region 6

In early 1962 Sainyabuli Province was removed from Military Region 1, and designated as MR 6. It was returned to MR 1 in July 1968. In late 1962, the MR 6 was commanded by Colonel Houmphanh Norasing.

Military Region 7

In early 1962 Champasak Province was removed from Military Region 4, and designated as MR 7. It was returned to MR 4 in July 1968. In late 1962, the MR 7 was commanded by Colonel Kot Venevongsos.

Endnotes