Lao People’s Army Day in Laos Date in the current year: January 20, 2025

The military history of Laos dates back to the Middle Ages. For example, the Kingdom of Lan Xang (1353–1707) had an impressive army of 150,000 men, including an elephant corps. However, Laos eventually came under the influence of Siam (now Thailand) in the early 19th century and became a French colony (as part of French Indochina) by the end of the century.

The first entirely Laotian military unit in modern times was formed in 1941 while Laos was still a French colony. It was a light infantry unit known as the First Battalion of Chasseurs Laotiens, tasked with internal security. During the Japanese occupation of Laos, the unit went into the mountains and carried out guerrilla activities.

In 1947, Laos was granted self-government as the Kingdom of Laos in the French Union, which was created to replace the old French colonial empire. In 1949, the Royal Lao Armed Forces were established as the official defense force of the Kingdom of Laos. However, their formation was hampered by the First Indochina War in Vietnam, so they didn’t really take shape until 1951.

By 1961, the Royal Armed Forces consisted of three conventional branches: the Royal Lao Army, the Royal Lao Air Force, and the Royal Lao Navy. They were tasked with defending the country against external aggression, ensuring internal security and stability, and guaranteeing the sovereignty of the King.

The Royal Lao Armed Forces were not the only military force to emerge in Laos 1949. There was also the Lao People’s Liberation Army, commonly known as the Pathet Lao. The Pathet Lao was a communist organization that sought to take over Laos. In 1959, Laos became embroiled in a civil war between the Royal Lao Government and the Pathet Lao, which was supported by the North Vietnamese Army.

In December 1979, the Pathet Lao won the war. The king was forced to abdicate and the Kingdom of Laos was replaced by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Royal Lao Armed Forces were disbanded, and the Lao People’s Army of the Pathet Lao took their place as the official armed forces of Laos.

The Lao People’s Armed Forces are tasked with protecting the country from both external threats and insurgents within Laos. They consist of three branches: the Lao People’s Army, the Lao People’s Navy (which operates on the Mekong River, as Laos is a landlocked country), and the Lao People’s Liberation Army Air Force. Military service is mandatory in Laos.

Laos People’s Army Day is an official commemorative day in Laos, celebrated to emphasize the essential role of the army in shaping Laos into the independent nation it is today and to honor the memory of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their nation. It is marked by a series of festive events, including fighter jet air shows, military parades, and official wreath-laying ceremonies attended by various government officials, including the president, prime minister, and ministers.