Presentation
If you're looking for an authentic destination to visit, experience Laos in all its majestic beauty. Natural in almost every aspect, Laos is one of Southeast Asia's least developed nations offering the adventurous tourist a land of many surprises. It is still a comparatively undiscovered country that has escaped the dramatic industrial development of its neighboring countries.
Laos, also known as the Land of a Million Elephants, is a culturally rich, land-locked country with a population of about 6 million. The Laotians are predominantly Buddhist and are very friendly and hospitable people. The official language is Lao, but English is widely spoken. The capital city, Vientiane, skirts the Mekong River, which forms the border between Laos and Thailand.
In Vientiane, you should pay a visit to the temples of Wat Phra Keo, Wat Si Saket and the splendid sight on top of the ‘Arc de Triomphe’ offering a superb view on of the surrounding natural area of Vientiane. The nation’s al most important temple is surely the That Luang Stupa, which should not be missed. During the afternoon, if you have time, stop by the National Cultural Ethnic Park, the Friendship Bridge or the bizarre Buddha Park. In the morning, don’t miss the market where you can buy anything from local handicrafts to MP3 players and traditional medicine.
The second destination of Laos is Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that deserves to be seen. There, among other things, you can enjoy a walk to the top of the Wat Phousy overlooking the Mekong River, for splendid views of adjacent land. Later, you can discover the stunning and beautiful Wat Xieng Thong Temple. In former times the oldest temple of Luang Prabang played a major role during cremation ceremonies for the Laotian kings.
History of Laos
The first recorded history of the Lao begins with the unification of Laos in 1353 by King Fa Ngum. He established his capital at Luang Prabang and ruled a kingdom called Lane Xang, literally million elephants, which covered much of what today is Thailand and Laos. His successors helped establish Buddhism as the predominant religion of the country.
In the 18th century Lane Xang entered a period of decline caused by dynastic struggle and conflicts with Burma Siam, now Thailand, Vietnam and the Khmer kingdom. In the 19th century the Siamese established hegemony over much of what is now Laos. The region was divided into principalities centered on Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champassak. Late in the century the French supplanted the Siamese and integrated all of Laos into the French empire. The Franco-Siamese treaty of 1907 defined the present Lao boundary with Thailand.
During World War II the Japanese occupied French Indochina including Laos. In September 1945 Vientiane and Champassak united with Luang Prabang to form an independent government under the Free Lao banner. In 1946 French troops reoccupied the country and conferred limited autonomy on Laos following elections for a constituent assembly.
France formally recognized the independence of Laos within the French Union in 1949 and Laos remained a member of the Union until 1953. Pro-Western governments held power after the 1954 Geneva peace conference until 1957 when the first coalition government led by Prince Souvanna Phouma was formed. The coalition government collapsed in 1958 amidst increased polarization of the political process. Rightist forces took over the government and a communist insurgency resumed in 1959.
In 1960 a paratroop captain seized Vientiane in a coup and demanded formation of a neutralist government to end the fighting. The neutralist government newly in place was driven from power later that same year by rightist forces. In response, the neutralists allied themselves with the communist insurgents and began to receive support from the Soviet Union. The rightist regime received support from the U.S.
A second Geneva conference was held in 1961-1962 and provided for the independence and neutrality of Laos. Soon after accord was reached the signatories accused each other of violating the terms of the agreement and with superpower support on both sides the civil war soon resumed.
In 1972 the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) joined a new coalition government after the Vientiane agreement of February 21, 1973 went into effect that same year. Nonetheless the political struggle between communist’s neutralists and rightists continued. The collapse of Saigon and Phnom Penh in 1975 hastened the decline of the coalition. On December 1975 the king renounced his throne in the constitutional monarchy and entrusted his power to the Lao people but the LPRP dissolved the coalition cabinet and the communist Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) was established.
The new communist government imposed centralized economic decision-making and broad security measures including control of the media and the arrest and incarceration of many members of the previous government and military in "re-education camps". These draconian policies and deteriorating economic conditions along with government efforts to enforce political control prompted an exodus of lowland Lao and ethnic Hmong from Laos. About 10% of the Lao population sought refugee status after 1975. Many have since been resettled in third countries including nearly 250, 000 who have come to the United States. The situation of Lao refugees is now nearing its final chapter and many have resettled in their homeland.
Facts about Laos
Time: GMT + 7. Area: 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles).
Population: 5.9 million (UN, 2005).
Population Density: 24.92 per sq km (9.6 per sq mi) (2002).
Capital: Vientiane. Population: 663,000 (UN estimate 2001).
Geography: Laos is a landlocked country bordered to the north by China, to the east by Vietnam, to the south by Cambodia, and to the west by Thailand and Myanmar. Apart from the Mekong River plains, along the border of Thailand the country is mountainous, particularly in the north, and in places is densely forested.
Government: People’s Republic since 1975. Gained independence in 1953.
Head of State: Khamtai Siphandon since 1998.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Boungnang Volachit since 2001.
Language: The official language is Lao; however, many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and some English are in circulation.
Religion: The Laos-Lum (Valley Laos) people follow the Hinayava (Theravada) form of Buddhism. The religions of the Laos-Theung (Laos of the mountain tops) range from traditional Confucianism to animism and Christianity.
Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz.
Social Conventions: Religious beliefs should be respected. Lao people should not be touched on the head. Handshaking is not that usual; Lao people greet each other with their palms together and a slight bowing of the head. Take care when discussing politics and related subjects in conversation so as not to cause offense. During temple visits, shorts or revealing clothes are not acceptable. It is illegal not to carry an ID document or a passport, and fines for not having one for presentation on demand can be high. The Lao Government prohibits sexual relationships, including sexual contact between foreign citizens and Lao nationals, except when the two parties have been married in accordance with Lao family law. Penalties for failing to register a relationship range from fines to imprisonment.