In 1959 , Thao Ma was promoted to Colonel .
In 1959 , Thao Ma was appointed commander of the Laotian Aviation , which became in the following year the Royal Lao Air Force ( RLAF ) , with him remaining at its helm .
In 1959 , Thao Ma was promoted to Colonel and appointed commander of the Laotian Aviation , which became in the following year the Royal Lao Air Force ( RLAF ) , with him remaining at its helm .