After the communist revolution, some members of the royal family were placed in re-education camps where they reportedly died,[1] although Prince Souphanouvong later became President of the newly established republic.
His uncle Prince Sauryavong Savang was regarded as head of the Laotian royal family and acted as regent to his nephew.
Over five hundred Lao exiles and representatives of the Hmong, Kmu, Mien, Thaidam and all ethnic minority community attended.
[citation needed] On 19 September 1999, a second conference was held in Montreal, Canada, to follow up the progress of LRAC work and focus on non-profit organizations to support the local and worldwide community through community development, social services, education and job development, promoting cultural activity.
[5] The Laotian exile community – 100,000 in France, 40,000 in Australia and half a million in the United States – has been fractured ethnically between Lao and Hmong.