1947–52: Build-up of forces Laotian Civil War

on 11 may 1947, king sisavang vong granted constitution declaring laos independent nation within french union. began building of new government on next few years, including establishment of national army, armée nationale laotienne, first iteration of royal lao army.

the nascent army plagued lack of lao leadership, , weaponry hodgepodge. new armée nationale laotienne consisted of light infantry battalions officered french. there 1 paratroop battalion included. french began training lao officers , non-commissioned officers continued lead , train new army.

in opposition, viet minh raised subsidiary revolutionary movement, pathet lao, starting initial guerrilla band of 25 in january, 1949.

in october, 1949, exiled lao issara dissolved , 3 royal brothers each chose separate destiny.

phetsarath rattanavongsa chose remain in bangkok. stay temporary. once again become viceroy of laos.

souvanna phouma chose return laos via amnesty, believing lao free themselves. in 1951 became prime minister first time , held office until 1954.

souphanouvong, had spent 7 years in nha trang during sixteen years in vietnam, met ho chi minh, , acquired vietnamese wife while in vietnam, solicited viet minh aid in founding guerrilla force.

in august, 1950, souphanouvong had joined viet minh in headquarters north of hanoi, vietnam, , become head of pathet lao, along political arm dubbed neo lao hak sat (lao patriotic front). attempt give false front of authority lao communist movement claiming represent united non-partisan effort. 2 of important founders members of indochinese communist party, advocated overthrow of monarchy expulsion of french. got laos involved in first indochina war started off against french.

on december 23, 1950, pentalateral mutual defense assistance pact signed united states, france, vietnam, cambodia, , laos; tool transfer american military aid french war effort in indochina. year marked infiltration of @ least 5,000 more viet minh laos.

in february, 1951, indochinese communist party decided split in 3 sponsor war against french in cambodia , laos, along war in vietnam. new laotian branch consisted of 2,091 members, included 31 lao.

also, 1951, pathet lao had mustered sufficient trained troops join viet minh in military operations.

by october, 1951, armée nationale laotienne had raised 2 more battalions of infantry , begun training battalion of paratroops. anl ended year strength of 5,091.

by end of 1952, royal lao army had grown include battalion of troops commanded laotian officers, 17 other companies.