nspector Grosgurin was a French inspector and commander of a Vietnamese militia in Laos. Like the French explorer and diplomat Auguste Pavie, he had been engaged in several exploratory expeditions in the region.[5][6] He was a member of one of the French armed columns despatched in April 1893 by de Lassenan to cross the Annamite Range into the Laos area of Khammuan (modern Thakhek)[7] and to occupy the disputed territory. The column was at first successful in evicting the Siamese commissioner at Khammuan by May 25.[5][6]
Shortly afterwards on June 5, the Siamese commissioner organized a surprise ambush on the village of Kien Ket, where Grosgurin, confined to his sickbed, had encamped with his militia.[5][6] The commissioner had apparently been instructed by Siamese government representatives to "compel their [French troops] retirement, by fighting, if necessary, to the utmost of their strength" .[7][8] The ambush resulted in the razing of the village and the killing of Grosgurin and 17 Vietnamese.[8]
The incident and the death of Grosgurin became known as the "Affair of Kham Muon (Kien Chek)" and was ultimately used as a pretext for the strong French intervention.[7][9]