 This was successful to the extent that the Pathet Lao lost an election widely perceived as fraudulent.On 23 May, they fled into the wilderness of Houaphanh Province to once again foment an insurrection.Then on August 9, 1960, Phoumi’s government was removed in a lightning "coup d'état" by a group termed the Neutralists led by Captain Kong Le, a paratroop officer of the Royal Lao Army.