Sam Thong: Difference between revisions

Sam Thong
Sam Thong
	City of Sam Thong in 1962s–1970s
	Coordinates: 19°10′47″N 102°53′24″E / 19.17972°N 102.89000°E
Country	Laos
Province	Xaisomboun
District	Longchaeng

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Sam Thong (Lao: ຊຳທອງ, sometimes spelled Samthong) is a town in Xiangkhouang province, Laos.^[1] During the Vietnam War, it was the site of a USAID refugee operation center^[2] and an administrative center for much of northern Laos.^[3]

Etymology

Chao means "prince", but is different when used with the words "Khueng" or "Muong, Mong, Mueang or Muang". Khueng means "province" and Muong, Mong, Mueang Muang is a "district". When Chao is combined with "Khueng" or "Muong", the meaning of Chao loses its "prince meaning" for follow the words of Khueng and Muong. Example, Chao Khueng means governor and Chao Muong means district head. As for others, Nai kong means "mini district chief", Tasseng means "county chief", Nai Ban means "village chief", and then Ban means "village".

Panoramic view, c. Sam Thong city View From The Sky

History

In 1950 the Meo (Hmong) ethnic group, Mr. Sia Ying Vue as Nai Kong (mini district chief), the refugee leader, Tasseng (county chief) Navang, Muong (province-state-district) Vangsai, Xiangkhouang Province, lived in Sam Thong^[4] with other ethnic groups. At that time, the Khmu, Lao Theung were the first inhabitants living there. All households were about 120 families there. People lived there until March 17, 1970, when Pathet Lao forces came to capture Sam Thong at 5 a.m.

During this period, particularly in early 1962, US forces established a refugee operation center in Sam Thong.^[2] The town was attacked by People's Army of Vietnam forces in March 1970 as part of Campaign 139, causing US personnel and their allies to withdraw.^[5] Royalist forces retook the town at the end of the month.^[3]^[6] In the course of the fighting, the town was significantly damaged by both PAVN ground forces and US-Royalist bombardments.^[6] Following the end of the Laotian Civil War in 1975, Sam Thong became part of the socialist Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Government and politics

In 1949 the governor of Xiangkhouang province was Chao Saykham Southakakoumane.^[7] At that time, there were two deputy governors, one is Lao and the other is Hmong. For the Lao, it was Thongsavath Vongsavanthong. As for the Hmong, it was Touby Lyfoung. But he chose Youa Pao Yang to succeed him thereafter.

In December 1960, when Kong Le and his troops captured the Plain of Jars and Phonsavan, General Vang Pao and Xiangkhouang Governor Chao Saykham^[8] decided to settle in Sam Thong in 1962.^[9] This is where Xiangkhounag's administrative offices were later located. It was almost at the same time that the UDAID refugee operations center moved to Sam Thong.

Sam Thong^[10] became Xiengkhouang's main social-military-administrative office center during the CIA secret War. The offices^[11] of the governor, Chao Saykham Southakakoumane, and deputy governor, Youa Pao Yang,^[12]^[13] were about a mile and a half from the USAID warehouse^[14] office. Besides Sam Thong, its neighbor was Long Tieng, where the US Central Intelligence Agency military was stationed during the Vietnam War of 1961–1975.

In Sam Thong there was not only the governor, the police, Chao Muong (district chief), Nai Ban (village chief) and those of the school offices, there was also a public and military hospital of 150-beds^[15] built and equipped at Sam Thong in Xiengkhouang province which^[16]^[17] was called San Sook (Lao: ແສນສຸກ) and was the largest hospital^[18] serving all of northeaster Laos, especially in Xiangkhouang Province at the time. During this period, King Savang Vatthana (Lao: ຊະຫວ່າງ ວັດຖະນາ) and the Queen went to visit the Governor of Xiangkhouang and his people in Sam Thong to support the Lao and Hmong refugees, due to the war.

School and educations

At the time of Vietnam War there was a middle high school called Sam Thong college or Samthong college (ໂຮງຮຽນ ມັດທະຍົມ ຊຳທອງ) in Sam Thong. It was founded in 1966.^[19] The first principal was Professor Khamleck, then followed by Tou-Fu Vang in September 1969 before school moving to Vientiane in Fa Ngum High School at Sokpaluang.

When the school opened its doors, there were about thirty five students. It was the beginning of the class of 6th B. The following year, there were two classes, one of which was the class of 6th B, then the other was the class of 6th A. Each year, the school added a higher class to go to 3th (grade 9th). As the number of students increased steadily every year, only students who passed the entrance exams were admitted. Then, only the best grades were accepted. This was the secondary education policy in Laos at that time.

Due to the lack of education policy before France's protectorate, secondary education in Laos did not exist . Students who wanted to continue their secondary studies had to go to Vietnam. When Sam Thong college was founded, starting from the class 6th (grade 6th), teaching was all in French. No matter what mathematics, geography, history, and others are, the system of the secondary education in Laos was almost part in French language, especially in middle and high schools. Lao's national education started to develop only thereafter Auguste Pavie, arrived in Luang Prabang, Laos, in 1893.

Sam Thong middle high school was ranked the highest one in Xiangkhouang province, due to its teaching classes of 6th B, 6th A, 5th, 4th, and 3th (grade 9th). The class of 3th (grade 9th) was in Muangcha, Muang Xaisomboun province, in 1974/75. Besides Sam Thong college, the other schools of the Xiangkhouang province were almost primary schools.

In 1970 Campaign 139 poisoned the city of Sam Thong, forcing Samthong middle high school to move to Vientiane to set up its classrooms in the buildings of Fa Ngum High School^[20] in Sokpaluang. The installation came from the Ministry of National Education of Laos. It should be for only a few months, but it lasted for years. For that year, there were classes from 6th B – up to 4th. Few months after moving to Vientiane, Tou-Fu Vang, a bachelor's degree, who was the Principal at the time and Wangyee Vang, a mathematic teacher, resigned their position then went to join the army of General Vang Pao. It was then that he was replaced by Maxime Lesage, a Frenchman of Puducherry (union territory) origin, as principal starting 1971/72 school year.

In 1974 it was when the war ended, the country came under the political supervision of the Lao People's Democratic Republic party, Sam Thong middle high school returned to the province of Muang Xaisomboun province, which was the former province of Xiangkhouang before, where Maxime Lesage is replaced by Pr Ly Chao as the new Principal of Sam Thong Middle High School. Starting from 1974/75 school year, the national education administration of Xiangkhouang and the boards of Sam Thong middle high school with the Director of the school decided to add teachers and two more grade 6th preparatory classes. This is to increase more students in Sam Thong middle high school for years to come. These extra-classes were called "School Lao Huamphao".

In May 1975, a year after the school moved to Muang Xaisomboun Province (Muangcha) from Fa Ngum High School in Sokpaluang, Vientiane, there was a political disaster in Laos. Problems arise between the people and the politics of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Thus, Sam Thong college's students fled their homes with their families to refugee camps in Thailand to seek political asylum. And then, Sam Thong Middle High School has since been closed.

After the Vietnam war most of the students of this middle high school, especially the Sam Thong college, left their hometown to flee the country, which was Laos, with their parents to go to western countries which are the United States for the most part, then to France, Australia and Canada.

As for notable alumni students of Sam Thong college, there was Lormong Lo. He attended Sam Thong middle high school in Xiengkhouang Province from 1972 to 1975. Then, he fled Laos with his family to a refugee camp in Thailand in 1975. Thus, he immigrated to the United States thereafter. He was the first Hmong American to be appointed to a city council in the U.S., in June 1994, where he managed the largest city (Omaha—480,000 people) in the state of Nebraska. He replaced Joe Friend, who resigned.

References

^ "Sam Thong by Paul Carter in April 30, 2020". Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
^ ^a ^b Angela Renee Dickey_THE U.S. MEDIA AND THE "SECRET" WAR IN LAOS, 1955-1975_on page 87. "Sam Thong and USAID refugee program" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ ^a ^b Times, Tillman Durdin Special to The New York (1 April 1970). "Sam Thong, Key Laotian Town, Reported Retaken From Enemy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
^ "Sam Thong Ls-20 Report_by Fritz Benson_in September 1971".
^ "Evacuation Started At Key Laotian Base". The New York Times. 19 March 1970. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
^ ^a ^b Conboy, Kenneth J. (1995). Shadow war : the CIA's secret war in Laos. James Morrison. Boulder, Colo.: Paladin Press. pp. 254–256. ISBN 0-87364-825-0. OCLC 32753940.
^ "Chao Saykham_the governor of Xieng Khouang_Page 98 – 25–26 March 1995 an interview with Ernest C Kuhn (Arthur J Dommen) – 9. 1968/1995".
^ Kuhn, Ernest photo_Government officials_December 1965. "Chao Saykham Southakakoumane and Touby Lyfoung".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Martin Stuart Fox_Historical Dictionary of Laos (6 February 2008). Sam Thong. ISBN 9780810864115.
^ Kuhn, Ernest photo_USAID officials and Lao military officers_date 1966. "USAID officials and center in Sam Thong".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Kuhn, Ernest photo_View of Sam Thong-westside_December 1966. "Governor and deputy governor offices".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Kuhn, Ernest photo_Hmong government official in 1968. "deputy governor Youa Pao Yang".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Kuhn, Ernest photo_Government official in 1967. "deputy governor (chao muong) Youa Pao Yang".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Kuhn, Ernest photo_View of refugee center. "USAID warehouse".
^ "UNITED STATES AID TO LAOS_page #25, 26, and 27" (PDF).
^ "SamThong_Hospital_The US Mission 1959/1976".
^ "Sam Thong_Hospital_The US Mission 1959/1976".
^ "Sam Thong largest hospital_The US Mission 1959/1976".
^ "Sam Thong college_started year 1966_see page 10 of 50" (PDF).
^ "Fa Ngum Schools_High School".

[1] "Sam Thong by Paul Carter in April 30, 2020". Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.

[:0-2] Angela Renee Dickey_THE U.S. MEDIA AND THE "SECRET" WAR IN LAOS, 1955-1975_on page 87. "Sam Thong and USAID refugee program" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[:1-3] Times, Tillman Durdin Special to The New York (1 April 1970). "Sam Thong, Key Laotian Town, Reported Retaken From Enemy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2022.

[4] "Sam Thong Ls-20 Report_by Fritz Benson_in September 1971".

[5] "Evacuation Started At Key Laotian Base". The New York Times. 19 March 1970. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2022.

[:2-6] Conboy, Kenneth J. (1995). Shadow war : the CIA's secret war in Laos. James Morrison. Boulder, Colo.: Paladin Press. pp. 254–256. ISBN 0-87364-825-0. OCLC 32753940.

[7] "Chao Saykham_the governor of Xieng Khouang_Page 98 – 25–26 March 1995 an interview with Ernest C Kuhn (Arthur J Dommen) – 9. 1968/1995".

[8] Kuhn, Ernest photo_Government officials_December 1965. "Chao Saykham Southakakoumane and Touby Lyfoung".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[9] Martin Stuart Fox_Historical Dictionary of Laos (6 February 2008). Sam Thong. ISBN 9780810864115.

[10] Kuhn, Ernest photo_USAID officials and Lao military officers_date 1966. "USAID officials and center in Sam Thong".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[11] Kuhn, Ernest photo_View of Sam Thong-westside_December 1966. "Governor and deputy governor offices".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[12] Kuhn, Ernest photo_Hmong government official in 1968. "deputy governor Youa Pao Yang".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[13] Kuhn, Ernest photo_Government official in 1967. "deputy governor (chao muong) Youa Pao Yang".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[14] Kuhn, Ernest photo_View of refugee center. "USAID warehouse".

[15] "UNITED STATES AID TO LAOS_page #25, 26, and 27" (PDF).

[16] "SamThong_Hospital_The US Mission 1959/1976".

[17] "Sam Thong_Hospital_The US Mission 1959/1976".

[18] "Sam Thong largest hospital_The US Mission 1959/1976".

[19] "Sam Thong college_started year 1966_see page 10 of 50" (PDF).

[20] "Fa Ngum Schools_High School".

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Middle high school in Xiengkhouang province, Laos}}
+{{Short description|Town in Xiangkhouang, Laos}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
+{{Infobox settlement
-{{Notability|date=June 2022}}
+| subdivision_type        = Country
-{{infobox school
+| subdivision_name        = [[Laos]]
-| name        = Samthong Middle HIgh School (ໂຮງຮຽນ ມັດທະຍົມ ຊຳທອງ)
+| subdivision_type1       = [[Provinces of Laos|Province]]
-| city/town   = Samthong or Sam Thong
+| subdivision_name1       = [[Xaisomboun province|Xaisomboun]]
-| image       = Samgthong college campus in 1966 - 1970.jpg
+| subdivision_type2       = [[Districts of Laos|District]]
-| alt         = Samgthong college buildings behind the trees seen from afar
+| subdivision_name2       = [[Longchaeng district|Longchaeng]]
-| caption     = Samgthong Middle High School, at the foot of the mountains, under the trees faraway <br /> View from the Airport
-| province    = [[Xiangkhouang province]]
+| name          = Sam Thong
+| image_skyline = Sam Thong.jpg
-| country     = Laos
+| caption       = City of Sam Thong in 1962s–1970s
-| founder     = General [[Vang Pao]] and the Xiangkhouang province leaders
+| image_alt     = City of Sam Thong in 1962s–1970s
-| principal   = Khamleck 1966 - 1969, Toufue Vang 1969 - 1971, Maxime Lesage 1971 - 1974, Ly Chao 1974/75
+|coordinates    = {{coord|19|10|47|N|102|53|24|E|type:city|display=inline,title}}
-| established = 1966
-| status      = Closed
-| closed      = 1975
-| type        = Public school
-| schedule    = 8 hours per day
-| grades      = 6th - 9th
-| sports      = Soccer and volleyball
 }}
-[[File:1966-1970 Samthong college, Xiengkhouang province, Laos.jpg|alt=City of Samthong - Samthong College was in the south|thumb|City of Samthong and Samthong college]]
+[[File:1966-1970 Samthong college, Xiengkhouang province, Laos.jpg|alt=City of Samthong – Samthong College was in the south|thumb|Sam Thong]]
+[[File:Sam Thong Airport During The Vietnam War.jpg|alt=Sam Thong Airport at Sam Thong Laos in the late 1966s.|thumb|Sam Thong Airport at Sam Thong Laos During Vietnam War 1962 – 1970]]
-[[File:Principal Director and Professors of Samthong college in 1972.jpg|alt=Principal Director and Professors of Samthong college in 1972|thumb|Principal Director and Professors of Samthong college in 1972]]
+'''Sam Thong''' ({{Lang-lo|ຊຳທອງ}}, sometimes spelled ''Samthong'') is a town in [[Xiangkhouang province]], Laos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sam Thong by Paul Carter in April 30, 2020 |url=https://aranyavillageweave.com/sam-thong-laos-seeing-the-past-for-the-first-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221192914/https://aranyavillageweave.com/sam-thong-laos-seeing-the-past-for-the-first-time/ |archive-date=21 February 2022 |access-date=21 February 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> During the [[Vietnam War]], it was the site of a [[USAID]] refugee operation center<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Angela Renee Dickey_THE U.S. MEDIA AND THE "SECRET" WAR IN LAOS, 1955-1975_on page 87 |title=Sam Thong and USAID refugee program |url=https://drum.lib.umd.edu/bitstream/handle/1903/20536/1196991.pdf?sequence=1 |language=en-US}}</ref> and an administrative center for much of northern Laos.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Times |first=Tillman Durdin Special to The New York |date=1 April 1970 |title=Sam Thong, Key Laotian Town, Reported Retaken From Enemy |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/01/archives/sam-thong-key-laotian-town-reported-retaken-from-enemy.html |access-date=2022-07-13 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
-[[File:College de Samthong en 1966 - 1970.jpg|alt=In 1967/68, Pr Bounchanh and the students of class 6th A|thumb|In 1967/68, Pr Bounchanh and the students of class 6th A]]
+==Etymology==
-'''Samthong college''' (ໂຮງຮຽນ ມັດທະຍົມ ຊຳທອງ)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ABVIIJFAEEJHKV8Z/full/ASQR6YKOR45IIK8L|title=Sam Thong or Samthong college|language=en-US|access-date=2022-01-18|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183000/https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ABVIIJFAEEJHKV8Z/full/ASQR6YKOR45IIK8L|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AUPKFVSP247LSG8M/full/AJLFMKLQL6DLDN8A|title=Samthong INS|language=en-US|access-date=2022-01-18|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118223201/https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AUPKFVSP247LSG8M/full/AJLFMKLQL6DLDN8A|url-status=live}}</ref> is a middle high school located in Sam Thong (Samthong)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://notevenpast.org/a-longhorns-life-of-service-tom-ward/|title=Sam Thong, The past is never dead. It's not even past|language=en-US|access-date=2022-03-05|archive-date=2022-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305015902/https://notevenpast.org/a-longhorns-life-of-service-tom-ward/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Xiangkhouang Province]], Laos. It was founded in 1966 in the city of Samthong or Sam Thong<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aranyavillageweave.com/sam-thong-laos-seeing-the-past-for-the-first-time/|title=Sam Thong by Paul Carter in April 30, 2020|language=en-US|access-date=February 21, 2022|archive-date=February 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221192914/https://aranyavillageweave.com/sam-thong-laos-seeing-the-past-for-the-first-time/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/2KIY4ZHAMC54K8M|author=Benson, Frederic C.|title=Sam Thong - UWDC - UW-Madison Libraries|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/03/19/archives/evacuation-started-at-key-laotian-base-key-laotian-base-being.html|publisher=The New York Times|title=Evacuation Started At Key Laotian Base|language=en-US|access-date=2022-01-18|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118130951/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/03/19/archives/evacuation-started-at-key-laotian-base-key-laotian-base-being.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/01/archives/sam-thong-key-laotian-town-reported-retaken-from-enemy.html|publisher=The New York Times|title=Sam Thong, Key Laotian Town, Reported Retaken From Enemy|language=en-US|access-date=2022-01-18|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118130425/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/01/archives/sam-thong-key-laotian-town-reported-retaken-from-enemy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> during the [[Vietnam War]] of 1961–1975. The school was located about one mile from downtown Samthong.
+''Chao'' means "prince", but is different when used with the words "Khueng" or "Muong, Mong, [[Mueang]] or Muang". ''Khueng'' means "province" and ''Muong, Mong, [[Mueang]] Muang'' is a "district". When ''Chao'' is combined with "Khueng" or "Muong", the meaning of Chao loses its "prince meaning" for follow the words of ''Khueng'' and ''Muong''. Example, ''Chao Khueng'' means ''governor'' and ''Chao Muong'' means ''district head''. As for others, ''Nai kong'' means "mini district chief", ''Tasseng'' means "county chief", ''Nai Ban'' means "village chief", and then ''Ban'' means "village".
+{{Clear|left}}
+{{Wide image|Sam Thong city View From The Sky.jpg|400px|Panoramic view, {{Circa|Sam Thong city View From The Sky}}}}
 ==History==
+In 1950 the Meo (Hmong) ethnic group, Mr. Sia Ying Vue as Nai Kong (mini district chief), the refugee leader, Tasseng (county chief) Navang, Muong (province-state-district) Vangsai, Xiangkhouang Province, lived in Sam Thong<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AYRN4TSPIQYTXX8K/full/A3BMTIXH3U63RJ8R|title=Sam Thong Ls-20 Report_by Fritz Benson_in September 1971|language=en-US}}</ref> with other ethnic groups. At that time, the [[Khmu]], [[Lao Theung]] were the first inhabitants living there. All households were about 120 families there. People lived there until March 17, 1970, when Pathet Lao forces came to capture Sam Thong at 5 a.m.
-{{Section citations needed|date=May 2022}}
-Samthong Middle High School (college de Samthong)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pdacq705.PDF|title=US AID MISSION TO LAOS MEMORANDUM; ON PAGE #5 OF 50/EDUCATION|access-date=2022-05-05|archive-date=2022-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428090243/https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pdacq705.PDF|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=college+Samthong&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=GRcMKFyKl4zfOM%252Ch6epDU80ZzoHpM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQO4PG_jwZXxKCtiYl16ZYYNbsqPw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijhfa63NDvAhUYXM0KHYsTBzMQ9QF6BAgLEAE#imgrc=7o6EPCFqKJViTM|title=Samthong college|language=en-US|access-date=2022-01-18|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118161936/https://www.google.com/search?q=college+Samthong&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=GRcMKFyKl4zfOM%252Ch6epDU80ZzoHpM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQO4PG_jwZXxKCtiYl16ZYYNbsqPw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijhfa63NDvAhUYXM0KHYsTBzMQ9QF6BAgLEAE#imgrc=7o6EPCFqKJViTM|url-status=live}}</ref> was founded 1966. Thanks to USAID<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pdacq661.pdf|title=u.s. Economic Assistance to the Royal Lao Government 1962 - 1972|language=en-US|access-date=2022-01-23|archive-date=2022-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123022642/https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pdacq661.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ABKWLMXZVENTE48Q/full/AYUUS7IJ2KJXVM87|title=USAID War and other programs in Laos|language=en-US}}</ref> with which General [[Vang Pao]] and other Lao-Hmong leaders of Xiangkhouang province, in particular the Inspector General of primary schools in the province of Xiangkhouang, ''Moua Lia''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hi-in.facebook.com/groups/thajkhumoualia/permalink/1445524029150470/|title=Moua Lia, the Inspector General of primary schools|language=us-US}}</ref>, were able to found Samthong Middle High School in Sam Thong to allow hill tribe children who were living mainly in rural areas to have access to secondary education and also higher education at that time<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/0e3d32e4830b701a78e7e3d33171066c/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750|title=Hmong education history in Laos|author=Douglas Chuedoua Vue|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Secret_War_in_Laos_and_General_Vang/LhxmDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Sam+thong+College+founded+and+established+date&pg=PT108&printsec=frontcover|title=The Secret War in Laos and General Vang Pao 1958-1975|author=Billy G Webb|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hmong_America/_b5V2W7crmAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Sam+thong+College+founded+and+established+date&pg=PA33&printsec=frontcover|title=Hmong America|author=Chia Youyee Vang|language=en-US}}</ref>. Before this, only people who lived in the cities had the possibility of having a higher education, not those living in the mountain areas.
+During this period, particularly in early 1962, US forces established a refugee operation center in Sam Thong.<ref name=":0" /> The town was attacked by [[People's Army of Vietnam]] forces in March 1970 as part of [[Campaign 139]], causing US personnel and their allies to withdraw.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 March 1970 |title=Evacuation Started At Key Laotian Base |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/03/19/archives/evacuation-started-at-key-laotian-base-key-laotian-base-being.html |access-date=2022-07-13 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[Kingdom of Laos|Royalist]] forces retook the town at the end of the month.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> In the course of the fighting, the town was significantly damaged by both PAVN ground forces and US-Royalist bombardments.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Conboy |first=Kenneth J. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/32753940 |title=Shadow war : the CIA's secret war in Laos |date=1995 |publisher=Paladin Press |others=James Morrison |isbn=0-87364-825-0 |location=Boulder, Colo. |pages=254–256 |oclc=32753940}}</ref> Following the end of the [[Laotian Civil War]] in 1975, Sam Thong became part of the socialist Lao People's Democratic Republic.[[File:In 1972, the students of 5th..jpg|alt=Sam Thong middle high school students|thumb|Students at a school in Sam Thong]]
-Samthong Middle High School was the first school and the highest one in history in Xiangkhouang Province of Laos. The first principal was Prof. Khamleck, then followed by Tou-Fu Vang <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000375781/|publisher=StarTribune|title=Tou-Fu Vang|language=en-US|access-date=2022-03-11|archive-date=2022-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311044952/https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000375781/|url-status=live}}</ref> in September 1969 before school moving to Vientiane in Fa Ngum High School<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Fa-Ngum-Comprehensive-High-School-Vientiane-Laos-194388467248774/|title=Fa Ngum High School|language=en-US|access-date=2022-04-24|archive-date=2022-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424200851/https://www.facebook.com/Fa-Ngum-Comprehensive-High-School-Vientiane-Laos-194388467248774/|url-status=live}}</ref> at Sokpaluang.
+==Government and politics==
-When the Middle High School opened its doors, there were about thirty five students at the start of the 1966/67<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pdacq705.PDF|title=US AID MISSION TO LAOS MEMORANDUM; ON PAGE #8 OF 50/Public Secondary Schools|access-date=2022-05-05|archive-date=2022-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428090243/https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pdacq705.PDF|url-status=live}}</ref> school year. It was the beginning of the class of 6th B. The following year, there were two classes, one of which was the class of 6th B, then the other was the class of 6th A. Each year, the school added a higher class to go to 3th (grade 9th). As the number of students increased steadily every year due to the high number of applications, only students who passed the entrance exams were admitted. Then, only the best grades were accepted. This was the secondary education policy in Laos at that time.
+In 1949 the governor of [[Xiangkhouang province]] was Chao Saykham Southakakoumane.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AYRN4TSPIQYTXX8K/full/AMUUQEU7CRL2I48E|title=Chao Saykham_the governor of Xieng Khouang_Page 98 – 25–26 March 1995 an interview with Ernest C Kuhn (Arthur J Dommen) – 9. 1968/1995|language=en-US}}</ref> At that time, there were two deputy governors, one is Lao and the other is Hmong. For the Lao, it was Thongsavath Vongsavanthong. As for the Hmong, it was [[Touby Lyfoung]]. But he chose Youa Pao Yang to succeed him thereafter.
-[[File:In 1972, the students of 5th..jpg|alt=Sam Thong middle high school students|thumb|Samthong college's students]]
-Due to government policy at the time, secondary education in Laos did not exist before France's protectorate. Starting from the class 6th (grade 6th), teaching was all in [[French language]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/178554?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=Indochina%20schools%20under%20French%20colonialism&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DIndochina%2Bschools%2Bunder%2BFrench%2Bcolonialism%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3bcbd61fb2d4b3ed95427e5d79f4fb49|title=French colonial education policy and practice|language=en-US|access-date=2022-02-06|archive-date=2022-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206042842/https://www.jstor.org/stable/178554?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=Indochina%20schools%20under%20French%20colonialism&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DIndochina%2Bschools%2Bunder%2BFrench%2Bcolonialism%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3bcbd61fb2d4b3ed95427e5d79f4fb49|url-status=live}}</ref> No matter what mathematics, geography, history and others are, the system of the secondary education in Laos was almost part in French language, especially in middle and high schools. Lao's national education started to develop only thereafter [[Auguste Pavie]], arrived in [[Luang Prabang]], [[Laos]], in 1893.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26952415?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=French%20indochina%2C%20Laos&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DFrench%2Bindochina%252C%2BLaos%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Adb10f32052c352066de2c6b2fe025dce|title=French colonialism sponsored and restructured Lao education and Lao Buddhism|language=en-US|access-date=2022-02-06|archive-date=2022-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206041348/https://www.jstor.org/stable/26952415?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=French%20indochina%2C%20Laos&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DFrench%2Bindochina%252C%2BLaos%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Adb10f32052c352066de2c6b2fe025dce|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In December 1960, when [[Kong Le]] and his troops captured the [[Plain of Jars]] and [[Phonsavan]], General [[Vang Pao]] and Xiangkhouang Governor Chao Saykham<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A6QO4R44IEZ7EJ8E|author=Kuhn, Ernest photo_Government officials_December 1965|title=Chao Saykham Southakakoumane and Touby Lyfoung|language=en-US}}</ref> decided to settle in Sam Thong in 1962.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=seglAAAAQBAJ&dq=samthong+government&pg=PA287|author=Martin Stuart Fox_Historical Dictionary of Laos|title=Sam Thong|date=6 February 2008 |isbn=9780810864115 |language=en-US}}</ref> This is where Xiangkhounag's administrative offices were later located. It was almost at the same time that the UDAID refugee operations center moved to Sam Thong.
-The middle high school was ranked the highest school in [[Xiangkhouang province]], due to its teaching classes of 6th B, 6th A, 5th, 4th, and 3th (grade 9th). The class of 3th (grade 9th) was in Muangcha, Muang [[Xaisomboun province]] in 1974/75. Besides Samthong college, the other schools of the Xiangkhouang province were almost all primary schools
+ [[File:King Savang Vatthana visited Sam Thong during the Vietnam war.jpg|alt=Sam Thong during king Savang vatthana visit|thumb|King Savang Vatthana, Chao Saykham (Xieng kouang governor), Prime Minister Souvanna Phouma, Gen. Vang Pao, and more others during king visit in Sam Thong.]]
+[[File:Hospital of Sam Thong.jpg|alt=Sam Thong hospital in Xieng khouang Province|thumb|Sam Thong hospital in Xieng khouang Province during the Vietnam war 1961 – 1970.]]
+[[File:Sam Thong college (College de Sam Thong).jpg|thumb|Sam Thong town – Buildings of college de Samthong (Sam Thong) during 1966 – 1970. See the black and white picture above.]]
+Sam Thong<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AN6VO6Y4YQORAI8G|author=Kuhn, Ernest photo_USAID officials and Lao military officers_date 1966|title=USAID officials and center in Sam Thong|language=en-US}}</ref> became Xiengkhouang's main social-military-administrative office center during the CIA secret War. The offices<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AJHAZ3QE3I2VX29E|author=Kuhn, Ernest photo_View of Sam Thong-westside_December 1966|title=Governor and deputy governor offices|language=en-US}}</ref> of the governor, Chao Saykham Southakakoumane, and deputy governor, Youa Pao Yang,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AXKG2MISOO73HU9C|author=Kuhn, Ernest photo_Hmong government official in 1968|title=deputy governor Youa Pao Yang|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AAYGPPWMSKC6CZ8S|author=Kuhn, Ernest photo_Government official in 1967|title=deputy governor (chao muong) Youa Pao Yang|language=en-US}}</ref> were about a mile and a half from the USAID warehouse<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A2XOYACRWO5MK79C|author=Kuhn, Ernest photo_View of refugee center|title=USAID warehouse|language=en-US}}</ref> office. Besides Sam Thong, its neighbor was [[Long Tieng]], where the US [[Central Intelligence Agency]] military was stationed during the Vietnam War of 1961–1975.
+In Sam Thong there was not only the governor, the police, Chao Muong (district chief), Nai Ban (village chief) and those of the school offices, there was also a public and military hospital of 150-beds<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pdacq767.pdf|title=UNITED STATES AID TO LAOS_page #25, 26, and 27|language=en-US}}</ref> built and equipped at Sam Thong in Xiengkhouang province which<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ABVIIJFAEEJHKV8Z/full/A4RJUA66HGXSTD9A|title=SamThong_Hospital_The US Mission 1959/1976|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ABVIIJFAEEJHKV8Z/full/AIPPYMQDBHLUTN8H|title=Sam Thong_Hospital_The US Mission 1959/1976|language= en-US}}</ref> was called ''San Sook'' ([[Lao language|Lao]]: ແສນສຸກ) and was the largest hospital<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ABVIIJFAEEJHKV8Z/full/AES3HPDIQIIZOE8A|title=Sam Thong largest hospital_The US Mission 1959/1976|language=en-US}}</ref> serving all of northeaster Laos, especially in Xiangkhouang Province at the time. During this period, King [[Savang Vatthana]] ([[Lao language|Lao]]: ຊະຫວ່າງ ວັດຖະນາ) and the Queen went to visit the Governor of Xiangkhouang and his people in Sam Thong to support the Lao and Hmong refugees, due to the war.
-In 1970, war, [[Campaign 139]], poisoned the city of Sam Thong, forcing Samthong middle high school<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Tragic_Mountains/dWIj5Q8l08wC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=inauthor:%22Jane+Hamilton-Merritt%22+242+Nixon+and+Kissinger&pg=PA242&printsec=frontcover|author=Jane Hamilton-Merrit|title=Tragic Mountains: The Hmong, the Americans, and the Secret War|language=en-US}}</ref> to move to [[Vientiane]] to set up its classrooms in the buildings of Fa Ngum High School in Sokpaluang. The installation came from the Ministry of National Education of Laos. It should be for only a few months, but it lasted for years. For that year, there were classes from 6th B - up to 4th.
+==School and educations==
-Few months after moving to Vientiane, Tou-Fu Vang who was the Principal<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/lt-col-tou-fu-vang-lao-veteran-and-hmong-community-leader-dies-of-covid-at-76/573350561/|publisher=By Mara Klecker Star Tribune|title=Tou-Fu Vang|language=en-US|access-date=2022-03-11|archive-date=2022-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311050057/https://www.startribune.com/lt-col-tou-fu-vang-lao-veteran-and-hmong-community-leader-dies-of-covid-at-76/573350561/|url-status=live}}</ref> at the time and Wangyee Vang,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2021-06-30/pdf/CREC-2021-06-30-pt1-PgE728.pdf|title=Wangyee, a mathematic teacher at Samthong college in 1969-1970|language=us-US}}</ref> a mathematic teacher, resigned their position then went to join the army of General [[Vang Pao]]. It was then that he was replaced by Maxime Lesage, a Frenchman of [[Puducherry (union territory)]] origin, as principal starting 1971/72 school year.
+At the time of Vietnam War there was a middle high school called Sam Thong college or Samthong college (ໂຮງຮຽນ ມັດທະຍົມ ຊຳທອງ) in Sam Thong. It was founded in 1966.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pdacq705.PDF|title=Sam Thong college_started year 1966_see page 10 of 50|language=en-US}}</ref> The first principal was Professor Khamleck, then followed by Tou-Fu Vang in September 1969 before school moving to Vientiane in Fa Ngum High School at Sokpaluang.
+When the school opened its doors, there were about thirty five students. It was the beginning of the class of 6th B. The following year, there were two classes, one of which was the class of 6th B, then the other was the class of 6th A. Each year, the school added a higher class to go to 3th (grade 9th). As the number of students increased steadily every year, only students who passed the entrance exams were admitted. Then, only the best grades were accepted. This was the secondary education policy in Laos at that time.
-Under the policy and direction of Maxime Lesage when he was headmaster from 1971 to 1974, there was an enormous progression in the teaching of all areas and also in student results. Many students were able to enroll in any high school or technical training and vocational high schools. One of them joined General Vang Pao's Air Force T-28 pilot squadron<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fly_Until_You_Die/ssGKDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Sam+thong+College+founded+and+established+date&pg=PA51&printsec=frontcover|title=Flying Until You Die|author=Chia Youyee Vang|language=en-US}}</ref>. Some went to enroll in '''Dongdok''' University and the others to Lycee Pavie de Vientiane. Today, the ''Dongdok'' university does not exist anymore, it has become [[National University of Laos]].
+Due to the lack of education policy before France's protectorate, secondary education in Laos did not exist . Students who wanted to continue their secondary studies had to go to Vietnam. When Sam Thong college was founded, starting from the class 6th (grade 6th), teaching was all in French. No matter what mathematics, geography, history, and others are, the system of the secondary education in Laos was almost part in French language, especially in middle and high schools. Lao's national education started to develop only thereafter [[Auguste Pavie]], arrived in [[Luang Prabang]], Laos, in 1893.
-In 1974, it is when the war ended, the country came under the political supervision of the [[Democratic People's Republic of Laos]], Samthong middle high school returned to the province of Muang [[Xaisomboun province]], which was the former province of Xiangkhouang before, where Maxime Lesage is replaced by Pr Ly Chao as the new Principal of Samthong Middle High School. Starting from 1974/75 school year, the national education administration of Xiangkhouang and the boards of Samthong middle high school with the Director of the school decided to add teachers and two more grade 6th preparatory classes. In these classes, there were about 30 students per class. This is to increase more students in Samthong middle high school for years to come. These extra-classes were called "School Lao Huamphao".
+Sam Thong middle high school was ranked the highest one in Xiangkhouang province, due to its teaching classes of 6th B, 6th A, 5th, 4th, and 3th (grade 9th). The class of 3th (grade 9th) was in Muangcha, Muang Xaisomboun province, in 1974/75. Besides Sam Thong college, the other schools of the Xiangkhouang province were almost primary schools.
-In May 1975, a year after the school moved to (Muangcha) Muang [[Xaisomboun province]] from Fa Ngum High School in Sokpaluang, Vientiane, there was a political disaster in Laos. These were problems between the population and the policy of the Democratic People's Republic of Laos. Starting there, Samthong middle high school's students fled their home  with their families to join refugee camps in [[Thailand]] to claim political asylum. From there, Samthong Middle High School has since been closed.
+In 1970 Campaign 139 poisoned the city of Sam Thong, forcing Samthong middle high school to move to Vientiane to set up its classrooms in the buildings of Fa Ngum High School<ref>
-Thanks Samthong Middle High School and a part of the [[Vietnam War]], many students of this school left their hometown to flee the country of Laos and immigrate to western countries such as United States for the most part, and then to France, Australia, and Canada. Today, some of these students have become [[medical doctors]], [[engineers]], [[computer science]], [[accountants]] afterwards in the United States, France, Australia, and Laos.
+{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ABVIIJFAEEJHKV8Z/pages/ADCSMYQFJ2TNBX8P|title=Fa Ngum Schools_High School|language=en-US}}</ref> in Sokpaluang. The installation came from the Ministry of National Education of Laos. It should be for only a few months, but it lasted for years. For that year, there were classes from 6th B – up to 4th. Few months after moving to Vientiane, Tou-Fu Vang, a bachelor's degree, who was the Principal at the time and Wangyee Vang, a mathematic teacher, resigned their position then went to join the army of General Vang Pao. It was then that he was replaced by Maxime Lesage, a Frenchman of [[Puducherry (union territory)]] origin, as principal starting 1971/72 school year.
+In 1974 it was when the war ended, the country came under the political supervision of the [[Lao People's Democratic Republic]] party, Sam Thong middle high school returned to the province of Muang [[Xaisomboun province]], which was the former province of Xiangkhouang before, where Maxime Lesage is replaced by Pr Ly Chao as the new Principal of Sam Thong Middle High School. Starting from 1974/75 school year, the national education administration of Xiangkhouang and the boards of Sam Thong middle high school with the Director of the school decided to add teachers and two more grade 6th preparatory classes. This is to increase more students in Sam Thong middle high school for years to come. These extra-classes were called "School Lao Huamphao".
-==Demographics==
-{{Section citations needed|date=May 2022}}
-[[Xiangkhouang]] was a province where mainly Laotian, Lao of Tai Phuane origin lived. The demographics<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pdacq705.PDF|title=US AID MISSION TO LAOS MEMORANDUM; ON PAGE 3 OF 50/BASIC GEOGRAPHIC/DEMOGRAPHIC DATA|access-date=2022-05-05|archive-date=2022-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428090243/https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pdacq705.PDF|url-status=live}}</ref> of Samthong Middle High School students at the time was divided by different demographic groups such as [[Lao people]] ethnic tribes and Hmong / [[Miao people]] hill tribes. For unknown reasons, there were no children from other ethnic groups such as [[Khmu]], [[Lao Theung]] and Yao or [[Tai Dam]] in this school. These people were mostly nomads like so many other hill tribes, e.g. the Hmong tribes. From the beginning of the school until the closure of this school establishment, the majority of the students were mainly children of the Hmong ethnic group. Only 15% of the students were Laotian. Among the college students, there were only four girls. The rest were all boys. In 1972, one of the girls was in eighth grade, the other two were in seventh grade, then the last one was in sixth grade A. All of these girls were Laotian, no one was a Hmong girl during this time. As for the teachers and directors of the Middle High School, there were six Hmongs, four Laotians, then two others from India and [[Pondicherry (union territory)]].
+In May 1975, a year after the school moved to Muang Xaisomboun Province (Muangcha) from Fa Ngum High School in Sokpaluang, [[Vientiane]], there was a political disaster in Laos. Problems arise between the people and the politics of the Lao [[People's Democratic Republic]]. Thus, Sam Thong college's students fled their homes with their families to refugee camps in [[Thailand]] to seek political asylum. And then, Sam Thong Middle High School has since been closed.
-==Athletics ==
-{{Section citations needed|date=May 2022}}[[File:Samthong college football club.jpg|alt=Team players of Samthong college football club|thumb|Team players of Samthong college football club]]
+After the Vietnam war most of the students of this middle high school, especially the Sam Thong college, left their hometown to flee the country, which was [[Laos]], with their parents to go to western countries which are the United States for the most part, then to France, Australia and Canada.
-===Soccer (football)===
-Samthong Middle High School has a [[football club]], it was founded in 1968. Although the students played less other sports like [[volleyball]], [[basketball]], [[tennis]] and a few other sports, but people had changed that over time. At the time, football (soccer) was the favorite sport of Southeast Asian countries. Competitive amateur club matches were mostly played between schools or city football club teams at this time. Sometimes matches were played between the Samthong College team and General Vang Pao's soldiers. Most of the time it was between high school teams. Samthong Middle School Football Club has won several [[Hmong New Year]] Cup tournaments in Sam Thong and [[Long Tieng]] in [[Xiangkhouang Province]] . The club ranked among the top teams in [[Xiangkhouang Province]] at the end of 1970s.
+As for notable alumni students of Sam Thong college, there was [[Lormong Lo]]. He attended Sam Thong middle high school in Xiengkhouang Province from 1972 to 1975. Then, he fled Laos with his family to a refugee camp in Thailand in 1975. Thus, he immigrated to the United States thereafter. He was the first [[Hmong American]] to be appointed to a [[city council]] in the U.S., in June 1994, where he managed the largest city ([[Omaha]]—480,000 people) in the state of [[Nebraska]]. He replaced Joe Friend, who resigned.
-==Notable alumni==
-* [[Lormong Lo]] was the first [[Hmong American]] to be appointed to a [[city council]] in the state of [[Nebraska]].in the U.S in June 1994. in June 1997, Lo was elected in his own right to a second term of four years. That same June, Lo was the first Hmong ever to become president of a city council in the US, the [[Omaha City Council]]. Lo was a student at Samthong college, Middle High School, until 1975 before fleeing to Nong Khai Thai refugee camp and then to the United States.
-== References ==
+==See also==
+*[[Ban Phou Pheung Noi]]
+*[[Route 7 (Laos)]]
+*[[Muang Soui]]
+*[[Hmong customs and culture#Hmong New Year Festival|Hmong New Year Festival]]
+*[[#School and educations|College de Samthong 1966 - 1975]]
+==References==
 {{reflist}}
+[[Category:Geography of Xiangkhouang province]]
-{{coord missing|Laos}}
+[[Category:Xaisomboun province]]<!--Since 2013-->
-[[Category:Schools in Laos]]
-[[Category:1966 establishments in Southeast Asia]]
-[[Category:1975 disestablishments in Laos]]