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It is worth noting that Savannakhet, as a town, didn't
exist in our history 
until the late 20th century (a creation of French
administration).  It was first mentioned with Pho
Kadouat, a revolt - part of the Kabot Phumiboun in 
the early 20th century.  That revolt was an uprising
of the ethnic Lao on both banks of the Mekong River
against the oppressive French and Siamese 
authorities.  Sadly to say, the revolt was crushed and
Pho Kadouat was killed.  Still, Pho Kadouat legacy
lived on the heart and soul of the 
Savannakhet people.  That's why the "KhiKha Muang
Savan" (Kaysone, Nouhak) as some people labeled them
fought on.  Also, it is interesting to note
that Phoumi Nosavanh coup against Kong Le was based in
Savannakhet with the backing of the U.S. and Thailand.
Apart from those events, Savannakhet was 
quite a quiet and peaceful town.  To me, personally, I
have never heard anyone mention the Pathet Lao even
though the outlying areas ofSavannakhet 
were "liberated".  Talking about the outlying areas of
Savannakhet, twocame 
to my mind: Zeno, a former French military post and
Kengkok, an Insisiengmai town.  It would be more right
to say that Kengkok was comprised of only a few 
houses here and there rather than a town.

In fact, Savannakhet was kind of cool.  Being the
second biggest city of Laos, Savannakhet had almost
everything that Vientiane but on a smaller
scale.  There were Lycee de Savannakhet which I loved
to attend after the primary school.  One of my
relatives went there and he was treated like a 
celebrity.  I guess being a Lycee student must be the
cause.  Besides, once 
he was there, his math genius really shone.  I wonder
whether it was the school or his innate ingenuity.  
If I remember correctly, Savannakhet had a factory of
soft drink.  I don't remember what the drink was
called but I do remember that the drink was of an 
orange color and bottled in thick glass.  By the way,
this soft drink was my favorite drink.  That was why I
still remember it.

(to be continued)

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