Introduction: Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist...

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Political and Social Overview: Laos became the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) on 2 December 1975 following the abdication of the King, after many years of civil war and political instability.

The Lao PDR is a nominally Marxist-Leninist state ruled by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The eleven-member Politburo of the LPRP, drawn from its Central Committee, is the key decision-making body. A National Assembly, which is elected by the people from a list of candidates approved by the Party, meets twice a year and is responsible for scrutinising proposed legislation.

Since 1986 Laos, in line with its larger ...

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