Ma Thao was born in Xieng Khouangville, Xieng Khouang Province, Laos, in 1953. He was privileged to receive an elementary school education. During the war, he was recruited and spent his early years at the frontline. In one of the battles, his battalion was under attack; and a company, primarily made of members of the Yao ethnic group, suffered 59 casualties. He was also wounded during the fight. When the enemy retreated, Ma was ordered to retrieve and bagged the dead bodies. This traumatized him. Then he requested his commander to assign him to a civilian role and was assigned to work as a secretary for his uncle in Long Cheng for the remainder of the war years. He and his family exited Laos in May of 1975 into Thailand when the country fell into communist control. In 1976, he immigrated to Texas. Feeling nostalgic of leaving his homeland, he returned to Thailand. He and his family eventually returned to the U.S., resettling in Minnesota for more economic opportunities for his children.