Royal Lao Government

[1] The Franco-Lao Treaty of 1953 gave Laos full independence but the following years were marked by a rivalry between the neutralists under Prince Souvanna Phouma, the right wing under Prince Boun Oum of Champassak, and the left-wing, Lao Patriotic Front under Prince Souphanouvong and future Prime Minister Kaysone Phomvihane.

During this period, a number of unsuccessful attempts were made to establish coalition governments.

[2] The First Coalition Government was founded on the basis of the Vientiane Agreements of 1957.

[3] The Second Coalition Government was founded as a condition toward enacting the International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos in 1962.

The Royalist defeat at the Battle of Luang Namtha weakened their bargaining position so that they agreed to the coalition.