The arrival of Chao Anou on the Phuan people's doorstep with a Siamese army in pursuit confronts the leaders of Muang Phuan with a dilemma.

When the Siamese commander issues an ultimatum to surrender Chao Anou under penalty of an attack on Xiangkhoang, the leaders of Muang Phuan quickly accept.

The Siamese take Chao Anou to Bangkok and keep him captive.

What follows is illustrative of the consequences of the constant meddling in each other's affairs that goes on among the Laotian principalities.

The reigning prince of Muang Phuan is Chao Noi, son of the ruling family.

Vientiane had attempted to take advantage of Chao Noi's youth when his father died to install Chao Xan, the head of a rival family from Muang Kasi.

The Phuan elders of Xiangkhoang had refused to accept this candidate, so power had been shared under a compromise arranged with help from Hue.

Chao Xan, however, leads a delegation to Hue, where he accuses Chao Noi and his cousins of bringing dishonor to the emperor by surrendering a vassal prince to another king, of obstructing passage of a tribute mission from Louangphrabang across the territory of Muang Phuan to Hue, and of negotiating to acknowledge Siamese suzerainty.