A week ago Chulalok had been Prince of one half of the Lan Na people of Ardia. Now he was King of all of them, granted his power was much less than that of his fathers and he would have to defer to President Varit Sodsri on many matters but he would still have a chance to help his people. The week since unification had been a whirlwind. First his own coronation, a much less grand affair than his fathers but still a happy one. Then he had a series of meetings with Sodsri to put this together. Beyond the Alanders and the odd informal connection with Lijiang the nation had next to no real relationships , at least not in their new guise. With that in mind they had put a call into the Alanders to request some introductions and the first was the suggestion of meeting the Morelanders, a nation well established in international diplomacy and one of the more stable nation on the globe.

It was for that reason the new King and Vice President Sunthorn Panyarachun had flown to East Moreland in hopes of establishing some form of friendship with the East Moreland Kingdom.

31st August 2021

The day had come and already by sunrise it was clear that the crowds had flooded to Unity Plaza. Little ramshackle roadside stands had been set up in order to furnish those gathering with drinks, food, there was even a huge trade being done in tacky commemorative gifts like t-shirts, plates, badges. Lines of soldiers, serving their final days in the uniform of their homeland, kept watch at strategic points overlooking the masses. The skies above the plaza could be seen criss crossed with the vapour trails of planes patrolling the skies and the hum of helicopter rotars shuffled the various delegations from nearby towns and cities to the Plaza's own helipad.

Somsak had arrived just after sunrise and having pushed his way through the crowds to find a place close to the border from where he could witness the days proceedings. He had a small bag of snacks he'd brought and a large flask of water to see him through. He was joined by various other random people from the Kingdom and although strangers they soon began chatting and a sense of nervousness about the next weeks and months was clear. Much would change for them and while Somsak was positive about the future it would be an uncertain one as it was likely the industries of the neighbours would flood to the old Kingdom, perhaps that would be good? More jobs, more oppurtunities, but would they bring their own people? This uncertainty made him wonder if his destiny would truly be one of tending the fields in a remote village.

Across the ribbon Phichit had arrived and found a safe place to leave his bike. He bid some of his new biker friends farewell and took time to browse the crowded stalls. He found a bulky looking tree and a comfy looking "Y" in it and scrambled up making himself comfortable on a blanket and jacket he had from his trip. It gave a good view over the crowd and would let him get a great view of today's happenings. Across the ribbon he could see a large crowd, slightly smaller than the one on the side of the Democratic Republic, mainly because the roads and transport systems of the Kingdom made the journey difficult for large numbers. He now recognised close to the ribbon an old concrete pillbox, it had been home to him for several weeks at one point. He traced a familiar line from it and found sunken in a dip a similar one on the opposite side of the border. It was there he had exchanged nervous glances at Royal soldiers and now he considered whether one of those men would now be looking back across the scene at him today.

Inside the plaza itself final touches were being put in place. A ceremonial group of four Alander soldiers were gathering and with them Johanna Madson, the widow of the then young diplomat who had begun talks between the two nations, Ragnar Madson. The Alander ambassador was also with them and now in the room that would become the government council chamber a document was rolled out. It had a whole string of statements, rules, conditions and beneath it was a series of signatures arranged in threes, each set of signatures showing that the two Lan Na states and first the UNP, and now Alanders, agreed that the various conditions for each stage of unifcation had been fulfilled. The Alander ambassador picked the pen up and signed his name followed quickly by President Sodsri and then as those watching on the giant screens and TV's around the nation and perhaps even the world watched as the King's pen hesitated for just a few seconds and then he affixed his own signature. Outside the sound of cheers could be heard. The document that had first been drawn up in 2003 was rolled up and handed to Johanna who followed by the Alander soldiers made their way outside into the morning sun followed by the two Lan Na states delegates, the cabinet of the Democratic Republic and the horde of the Royal Family. Once through the doors they made their way up the steps to the temple on the roof. There Johanna handed over the document to a yellow robed Priest who gave the document a religious blessing sealing it with the power of the Yaśodist faith. It was then handed back to Johanna who presented it once more to two children, one from each nation who would carry it for the rest of the days ceremonies. Johanna and the ambassador shook hands with the King and President before making their way with their escort down the steps and a waiting helicopter began to spin up their rotars. The soldiers watched them go inside and a Sergeant lowered the Alander flag that stood on the Plaza's only flagpole indicating that they had been custodians of the location for the few months it had been fully finished. The sergeant neatly folded it and then stepped back, saluted an officer from a newly created Lan Na unit and then marched to the helicopter. While to the public it would look like it was leaving it would merely wait overhead before bringing them back to enjoy the less formal celebrations.

Nervously the new officer called forward two soldiers who between them carried the new white flag of the United States. It was attached to the flagpole ready to be hoisted but nothing more was done. At the podium on the lawn before the plaza's imposing new building the two leadership groups gathered. President Sodsri was first to speak. "You have just witnessed myself and His Majesty King Kittiratt sign the final step to our reunification. It stated we have everything in place to make the United Lan Na States a nation of peace and moving towards us all leading better lives. I thank His Majesty for having the courage to see this day through and look forward to serving the people alongside him. I would invite him for the first....and final time....to visit the Democratic Republic." The crowd clapped and Sodsri handed the microphone towards the King. There was once more hesitation and then Kittiratt embraced Sodsri warmly before taking the microphone, ducking under the ribbon he stood now in the Democratic Republic in its final minutes.

"There was a time my ancestors would have never dreamed of someone in my position giving away power. I have therefore failed them. I have however set my people on a better path for a better future. Both these things will have consequences for me. One consequence is I will see Lan Naites take their futures into their own hands and fly making me proud of all of you. The other consequence is that I have gone against the wishes of my forefathers that the monarchy holds the power of our lands. It is not a wish I now share having worked with President Sodsri. I therefore announce that my final act as King of Lan Na is to invite the President to visit the Kingdom of Lan Na for his first and final time to greet the new King of Lan Na, my son,  Chulalok." There was a surprised look on the Prince's face and the President had not even been informed of this decision, he asked the King if he was sure and a gentle push towards his son was confirmation. Sodsri ducked under the ribbon and then shook hands with the now King Chulalok.

Kittirit told his son now to speak and Chulalok, tears on his cheek thought for a moment. "It is the duty of a King of Lan Na to help guide his subjects and to honour the wishes of his ancestors. My father wished our lands to be one and I give my word that I will work with whoever the people select to make our lands better." A small stone table stood underneath the ribbon, a set of large scissors on them. "Is now the time?" he asked the President confused about what was to happen, things had now been thrown into chaos slightly. The crowd on the Democratic Republic's side were cheering while those on the Kingdom were in disbelief at what they had just seen. The royalists had been brought up to believe the power of the monarch so on one hand would follow Kittirit's decision but that didn't lessen their shock for now.

"We should" Sodsri and Chulalok picked up the scissors and posing for the cameras made a display of cutting the ribbon. The sky filled with cheers as the crowd rushed forward pulling at the ribbon each trying to cut a section as a souvenior. Others rushed to be among the first to say they had crossed the old frontier. As Phichit drank a bottle of Mekhong as he pondered the future a bewildered man slumped against his tree.

"You alright?" Phichit shouted down as he gathered his things and dropped down to ground level offering the man his flask.

"So much change in one day." Somsak said as he surveyed the new land he had walked onto. Phichit spotted the Rifleman's badge being rubbed gently in Somsak's hand.

"You served?" Phichit asked.

"No its my grand-fathers." Somsak smiled as he showed it clearly before spotting his new acquaintance was wearing the jacket of the once enemy. "I don't know what he'll make of today, he was a proud supporter of the King."

"Well come and let us get drunk together while we work out the future." Random people embraced as they celebrated their unity.

7 days to reunification


Following a vote by students across the country a new flag has been selected. The new flag features a white background which is to symbolise the peace that now exists between all the peoples of Lan Na. Embalzoned upon this is the Yaśodist faiths prayer fire and priestly helmet which symbolises the shared faith of the people of each nation. A pattern of red shapes to form a symbolic phoenix wings frames the Yaśodist symbols to symbolise the nation rising from the ashes of long standing war. The design will fly officially for the first time on Unification Day on the 31st August 2021. Hundreds of thousands of the new flag are currently being manufactured across the nation to be ready for the celebrations that will happen on that day.

As part of the ceremonies of the day the new flag will be flown from the new government building at Unity Plaza with the two old flags, which are currently flying there being taken down and ceremonially burned. The military will also be issued new flags from their uniform where members from each nations three military branches will ceremonially take a new oath and replace their uniform patches.

Meanwhile King Kittiratt has left his capital of Songkhram for what is being billed as his final tour of his Kingdom. The King is visiting several towns and cities on his way to Unity Plaza. It is expected that the government complex built for the new administration is to be named the new capital of the United Lan Na States and given a new name. It is expected several construction developments planned for the area will see the area blossom into a new city.

The Odinist Republic of Nya Åland - Positive Relationship

Initially the Union of Nordic People.

As a Republic the Nordic nation was largely ignored in terms of diplomacy until the 1930's as the monarchs until then saw non-monarchies as uncivilised. When the nation split in two President Pongpanu began to foster positive relationships with as many nations as possible regardless of their background. When the Democratic Republic sought a mediator for talks with the Kingdom they asked the Union of Nordic People to step in. The UNP and the DR of Lan Na had several trade and diplomatic agreements in place and the UNP's reputation for neutrality helped ensure the situation was successfully tackled. The UNP diplomat Ragnar Madsson managed to negotiate an agreement for the nations to disarm the border in 2000 and a roadmap towards a 2020 referendum. When the UNP saw Nya Aland split the Alanders agreed to continue their trade and diplomatic relations with the DR of Lan Na. When the "Great Disaster" hit the UNP in 2016 the then President of the Democratic Republic marshalled a charitable operation to send aid to the region. With the Democratic Republic being rather a poorer area than the UNP it was not a huge sum but more a gesture. This amount raised was matched by King Kittiratt marking the first time the two nations had carried out a joint act. Following the annexation of the UNP by Nya Aland meetings were put in place and the Alanders agreed to continue the roadmap their Nordic cousins had begun. Birgit Strand oversaw the 2020 referendum and currently 150 Alander troops are based in the Border Region. Additionally three Alander judges make up a panel known as the Cross Border Crimes panel which hears cases relating to crimes committed in both nations or terrorism.

In 1928 a civil servant of the Monarchy, Nawat Pongpanu, began to see a large amount of suffering among the people of Lan Na and began a movement to gain more rights for the ordinary people. This group became known as the "Mudboots" as they tended to come from rural areas and farming communities. By 1934 they had carved out control of a significant territory and declared themselves a Democratic Republic. A year later the new nation held their first election and by a landslide of 78% Pongpanu was elected President. He enacted policies designed to give more freedoms both economically and socially. Land was redistributed between a combination of private and public ownership, legislation to allow people to operate businesses was begun and also taxation was codified. One criticism of Pongpanu was that he still utilised security forces to be rather repressive in terms of opposition political parties. He held elections every four years and until 1959 when he died of a heart attack while still in office.

Pongpanu was succeeded by Chaleo Langdhara who was from a more liberal leaning party than Pongpanu. They went further than Pongpanu in terms of creating political freedoms and began to make moves towards a more manufacturing based economy. Under Langdhara the modern rules for the Presidency, which will carry over into the United States, were set up.

President Itthipat Upatkoon in 1998 began negotiations with King Kittiratt to reunify the nations and was successful in 2000.

The current President is President Varit Sodsri who was elected in 2018 and his term of office will run out in 2022. This is his first term and so he would be eligible for a 2nd term.

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POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY UNDER THE ULNS
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Under the new constitution the President will have the following powers.

1. Presenting legislation to Parliament. Their legislation is given priority over members Bills.
2. Requesting Parliament authorise the use of the Armed Forces
3. Appointing the cabinet
4. Negotiating foreign treaties and agreements
5. Managing the nations budget
6. Overseeing the day to day business of the nation.


On 30th September 2021 the first Parliament of the ULNS will be elected. The new nation has been divided into 100 sections which will each elect a representative using a first past the post system. Many of those standing belong to political parties and once all 100 have been selected they will be expected to vote to approve legislation from the President. Experts predict that initially the parties with a history in the Democratic Republic will hold significant sway until those in the Kingdom get used to the existance of political parties.

1.	Chalerm Yoovidhya

Up until 1934 there was only the Kingdom of Lan Na and the monarch held all the power with a strong input from the Priesthood. The Monarch was considered to have all the spiritual authority of the God Yaśod. This was sufficent through much of the nations history to keep their subjects under control. They created a very much feudal society with themselves and their family at the top.

Following the 1934 revolution however the family only kept control of the west of the states. The west was the traditional religious heartland and home to many of the major fuedal lords known as Chaophraya. As such these regions remained loyal and the Kanarot family managed to maintain their influence despite the

Through the 1940's until the 1960's the the two halves of the nation fought ongoing wars culminating in a division of the land formally. The Kanarot's controlled the western half with very similar controls as had existed before hand however younger members of the Royal Family began interacting with places beyond the Kingdom. This saw more and more pressure put upon the family to reform and reunite the nation.

In 1985 King Kittiratt inherited the throne and around a decade later the Kingdom, as well as the neighbouring Democratic Republic was suffering a variety of disasters. The King began negotiations with the President of the Democratic Republic which resulted in the reunification of the nation as the United Lan Na States on 31st August 2021.


Under the new constitution the monarchy will lose most of its actual power. They will be responsible for the following

1. Overseeing the legitimacy of elections
2. Command of the military once Parliament releases the armed forces.
3. Overseeing the spiritual life of the Kingdom
4. Appointing nobility
5. They must agree to any foreign treaty or agreement. If they do not a public referendum is called.
6. In the old territories of the Kingdom they are responsible for setting local council taxation, budgets and educational policy.


King Kittiratt (born.1944) Coronation in 1985.

1st Wife:- Queen Naraporn (b.1947)
Issue:-
Prince Chulalok (b.1968)
Prince Phra (b.1971)
Princess Ubol (b.1974)

2nd Wife:- Queen Ploypailin (b.1961)
Issue:-
Prince Kalyanakit (b.1983)
Princess Sirindhorn (b.1985)
Princess Yingluck (b.1995)


3rd Wife:- Queen Bua (b.1982)
Issue:-
Prince Nakkhatra (b.2002)
Princess Apsarasaman (b.2004)

1.	Prawit Wongsuwan

23 days to reunification



The centre piece of the upcoming "Reunification Day" is the grand opening of Unity Plaza. As military forces from both the Democratic Republic and the Kingdom have dismantled border fences, defensive positions and machine gun posts the sprawling mass of buildings, green spaces and a temple has been rising from the dirt. It is envisaged that in the next five years or so a new administrative centre, or perhaps even a city, will flourish around the project which is located 5km from the nearest Democratic Republic settlement and 10km from the Kingdom's nearest. The Plaza will feature a debating chamber for the new Unified Council, banquetting facilities, space for visiting representatives to sleep and entertainment ranging from a museum to a small series of classrooms. The idea behind the plaza was that it would be an outward sign of the two former uneasy neighbours coming together to once again be brothers and sisters.

With the final touches being made the Plaza was visited today by President Prawit Sasiprapha who was representing the Democratic Republic and also by King Kittiratt V of the Kingdom of Tongxiao. The two leaders inspected various parts of the project and left imprints of their hands in wet cement on paving at the main entrance. The main entrance will feature a large series of paving inscribed with the new nations constitution and the handprints will serve as a kind of signature showing that both nations have agreed to accept its conditions.

On the 31st of August 2021 these new terms will come into effect and will see a new flag raised over the Plaza. Under the new constitution all citizens will be granted equal rites meaning the concept of feudalism will end for half the nation. Other changes will see King Kittiratt being a ceremonial figurehead for the new nation with the right to grant noble titles for the whole of the nations territories. These noble titles however will only be ceremonial in half the territory. In the old Kingdom the nobility will give up 80% of their land however will be given tax exemptions in many areas for the next 10 years as compensation. King Kittiratt will also retain the right to implement his own educational policies in the land of the Kingdom. The agreement brings an end to almost 100 years of uneasy relations between the two halves of the nation, around 40 years of which have seen warfare. The fighting between the two nations has seen around 400,000 people die in what had been at times brutal cross border raids.

Princess Yingluck was also at the visit today and spoke about the importance of "reunification day". The 26 year old has served as an ambassador to the people of the Democratic Republic for the last two years helping to try and smooth relationships between the people of both nations. "The 31st is a day that my generation have longed for all our lives. We have been fortunate to know no war between our lands. We have seen when disaster struck our people's that despite everything we can work together and come out the other side stronger. My family now recognize that while we have a role to play in the nation, we are not the nation, it is our duty to ensure that we play our role. We now do not exist to be honoured by the people, we exist to be a check and balance to ensure their prosperity. I believe my family, along with the duly elected government of the new United Tongxiao States can make this agreement work for the betterment of all."

President Sasiprapha also praised those of the past. "21 years ago our two lands realized there was more to bind us than to divide us. When bad times came it was our ethnic brothers and sisters that put aside our differences and helped, we returned the favor and then it became clear that Tongxians are stronger together. My predecessors along with various members of the royal family have engaged in good faith and we will soon have a beautiful symbol to bring us back together. I believe we are an example to the world at how nations can achieve great things when old animosities are put to one side."