Thao Ma

Thao Ma

Brigadier General Thao Ma was a Lao military and political figure of the Vietnam War (Second Indochina War). Thao Ma began his military career as a paratrooper for the French when they administered the Kingdom of Laos. He switched to aviation, first as a transport pilot, then as an attack pilot. From 1959-1966, he was commander of the Royal Lao Air Force. He was noted for his charisma and aggressiveness. However, his dedication to soldierly virtues put him at cross purposes with other Lao generals involved in the drug trade. As a result, he would launch three futile attempts to seize control of the Lao military and Lao government. During the last of these attempted coups, in 1973, he would be executed at age 42.