Luang Prabang - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 170

The bedchambers
King Sisavang Vong's bedchamber , located at the very back of the palace, is surprisingly
modest. The only thing that looks especially regal - apart from a larger-than-life, mousta-
chioed portrait of Sisavang Vong - is the massive hardwood bed, the headboard of which
sports the king's initials and a carved Buddha sheltered by a seven-headed naga. The foot-
board bears a rendition of the royal emblem of Laos, this time with a two-tiered parasol. The
children'sbedroom is primarily given over to Lao musical instruments, the most impressive
of which is a khong vong , a horseshoe-shaped set of gong chimes.
Diplomatic gifts and royal portraits
Of the two final rooms, the near room houses diplomatic gifts presented to the Lao people
by a handful of nations, as well as the rather tatty-looking flag of the Kingdom of Laos that
was given a symbolic ride up into space and back on one of the Apollo missions. Not long
afterwards, the Kingdom of Laos ceased to exist. The selection of photos lining the wall in-
cludes one of Ho Chi Minh dancing with King Sisavang Vatthana.
In the far room hang portraits of Sisavang Vattana, his wife Queen Kham Phoui and their
son Prince Vong Savang. These are the only officially displayed portraits of the last members
of the six hundred-year-old dynasty anywhere in Laos. Had they not been painted by a Soviet
artist they almost certainly would not have survived the years following the revolution. The
same goes for the bronze sculpture of King Sisavang Vong in the museum grounds near the
front gate. This statue may look familiar if you have already passed through Vientiane, where
a larger version stands in the park adjacent to Wat Simuang.
The Haw Phabang
Outside the palace to the right of the main entrance to the compound, the ornate Haw Pha-
bang is the new permanent resting place of the Pha Bang , the most sacred Buddha image
in Laos. Built in traditional Lao style and awash with gilt adornment, the Haw Phabang was
started in 1993, but it was a full two decades before the image was finally installed in 2013,
fifty years after the temple was first conceived. Inside the dimly lit, pillared hall, the diminut-
ive Pha Bang, just 83cm high, is enshrined on a richly ornamented, multi-tiered gilded plat-
form, behind a pair of naga, their tails intertwined protectively.