ABSTRACT
F Ate Gave To the kingdoms of Luang Prabang and Vientiane a geographical position that protected them from minor incursions. The price, however, was their constant involvement in the monumental battles between Burma and Siam. But, damaging as these wars were to their economies, both kingdoms possessed large areas of rich agricultural lands that helped speed their recovery when peace returned. As well, they held dominant positions on the great trade routes from mainland China southwards, and from the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. The prosperity that came from the trade also helped them to quickly regain the wealth lost in fighting.
