Asia 907
Coding changes: Start Date changed from September 22, 1960. End Date changed
from October 19, 1960. Outcome changed from Released.
MID#2031
Dispute Number: 2031
Date(s): February 10, 1964 to February 14, 1964
Participants: 800 Thailand/812 Laos
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Thailand put its forces on alert due to unrest in neighboring Laos. There
was later a raid into Thailand by armed Laotians, but it was unclear whether they were
government or Pathet Lao troops.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 16, 1964. End Date changed
from March 16, 1964.
MID#1376
Dispute Number: 1376
Date(s): July 7, 1975 to December 30, 1975
Participants: 800 Thailand/812 Laos
Outcome (and Settlement): Compromise (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: On March 27, 1975, Pathet Lao forces, backed by Vietnamese forces,
launched an attack on Lao regime forces. The attack was more successful than earlier
attempts, and fractures in the regime’s coalition soon appeared. In early May Pathet
Lao defeated the Royal Special Forces. On May 9, the neutralist troops north of Vien-
taine allied themselves with the Pathet Lao, and cadets at Chinaimo camp denounced
the leaders of the Vientaine military region. The next day the Hmong signed a peace
agreement with the Pathet Lao, leaving the capital exposed to attack, and two days
later there were several mutinies around Vientaine, including at the police academy.
The commanders of the military regions responded by declaring their support for the
Vientaine government. Later in May junior bureaucrats staged protests and many tried
to resign. The Royal Army suffered lack of morale, supplies, and funding. The United
States was funding and training the army and a group of guerrilla fighters, but it cut
funding to the guerrillas and tried to integrate them into the Royal Army. However,
Pathet Lao controlled the government of Laos by the end of the month. As Pathet Lao
gained control across the country its enemies suffered. Thousands of Meo, a Laotian
minority who had fought on the American-Thai side became refugees. On June 28,
Pathet Laos occupied the US embassy staff living quarters. The next day the United
States brought home half its diplomats, leaving only 22 from a total of 1,200 in May.
This militarized dispute began on July 7 when Laos accused Thailand of aggres-
sion, and the Thai and Lao militaries exchanged fire across the Mekong River. That
same month Thailand closed its three consulates in Laos after the Lao government
said it could no longer guarantee their security outside Vientaine. On July 18, Laos
closed its border with Thailand in Pakse province, and the following day, Vientaine,