Voravongsa I

Voravongsa I
King of Lan Xang
Reign1575–1579
Coronation1575
PredecessorSen Soulintha
SuccessorSen Soulintha
BornTha Heua
Died1579
Vientiane, Lan Xang
Regnal name
Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Brhatasena Vora Varman Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha
DynastyKhun Lo
FatherPhotisarath
ReligionTherevada Buddhism

Voravongsa I was king of Lan Xang reigning from 1575–1579 with the regnal name Samdach Brhat-Anya Chao Brhatasena Vora Varman Raja Sri Sadhana Kanayudha but he is commonly referred to in both Lao and Burmese chronicles by his title of Maha Oupahat or Viceroy. Voravongsa was taken prisoner by the Burmese in 1565 during the occupation of Vientiane. In 1575 following the third of a series of Burmese invasions of Lan Xang, Voravongsa was appointed by Bayinnaung as a vassal within the Taungoo Empire. Voravongsa had few supporters even within the Burmese court; he reigned for only four years before facing a popular rebellion which would threaten to overtake the capital in Vientiane. Voravongsa attempted to flee back to Burma, but were killed en route. To reestablish order the Burmese dispatched another army, and would install Sen Soulintha as vassal from 1580–1582.