Laos honours freedom fighter
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A monument in honour of Lao hero Ong Keo has been set up in the provincial capital of Saravan province recently. Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad consecrated the statue by striking the gong nine times after the chanting of 39 monks during the cere
Former politburo member Saman Vinhaket, the Saravan Governor Khamboun Douangpanya and other senior officials were also present. Before the ceremony, six groups of monks, officials, youth union members, students and the general public, paraded from the main street to the site of the monument.
“Ong Keo was a Lao person born into very poor circumstances. He didn't have a chance to go to school, but he had many special talents. He made the effort to develop himself as a brave fighter who was not scared of any enemies,” Saravan deputy governor Sisouvanh Vongchomsy said.
During the period of colonial aggression, Ong Keo tried hard to study traditional medicine on his own before becoming an outstanding doctor. This gave him power and influence in society, which he used to help integrate the ethnic people into the fight against the French aggressors.
Ong Keo stressed the importance of observing the movements of the aggressors to know when to mobilise his forces to fight. Even though the aggressors had many soldiers, he managed to win many battles.
“As the result of Ong Keo’s bravery in his fight against the French aggressors, this monument is to be erected in his honour and ensure he stays in our minds forever,” Sisouvanh said.
A biography has been written about him and is available at most bookshops. Ong Keo was born in June 17, 1853, in Chakamkao village of Thataeng district and raised in Saravan province. Ong Keo was born amidst the colonists of Siam and France and endured 40 years of Siamese colonisation before becoming a revered freedom fighter during the French colonial days since 1893.
The French began their advance into Laos in 1893 and remained here until 1954. During this time many heroes arose in various parts of the country to lead the fight against colonial occupation.
In southern Laos, Ong Keo and Ong Kommadam spent 37 years leading Lao people of different backgrounds and ethnicity in the battle against the aggressors. Ong Keo spent 10 years spearheading the effort from 1901 to 1910, before being killed by the French on November 15, 1910.
